Daily Journal: 20 April

Come and See

Matthew 28:1-6 (NIV)

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Come and see.

These women were the first ones invited to witness this new hope that He had risen, after witnessing His agonised suffering beyond anything they could comprehend.

They probably hadn’t eaten, their own bodies experiencing a shock response to the insane cruelty of what they had seen.

They probably hadn’t slept at all since Jesus’ crucifixion. Images of His mistreated, tortured body were etched into their minds and their hearts of their beloved friend, and Lord.

They probably hadn’t stopped crying with each other. Women would have remained together.

They were there at the cross and they were at the tomb when Jesus' body had been laid and they were there again at the first light of day, as soon as they could.

They were desperate to show their love for Him still, desperate to treat Him in the way He deserved, trying to make up for everything that had happened to Him in the smallest, most significant way they could.

Jesus, their Saviour, their Lord, had always made Himself accessible to them. They had seen Him make Himself accessible to others who needed Him as they did. And here at the tomb, an angel had been sent to communicate to them. Come and see. Their Lord was still making Himself accessible to them. He was telling them where He was. He was no longer in the tomb. He was alive. He had risen, just as He said.

Jesus, my Saviour, still says to me, come and see. He makes Himself accessible for me, telling me where He is. He is alive.

He is still making Himself accessible for you, telling you, come and see.

HE IS RISEN, JUST AS HE SAID.