Matthew 28:1-4
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men.
Matthew’s story of the resurrection is the most dramatic and vivid. An angel of the Lord descends to the tomb, rolls back the stone that was sealed, and sits upon it in triumph.
As we read this depiction, we should keep in mind the last scene of the crucifixion, when the Pharisees approach Pilate and ask him to place a guard by the tomb lest Jesus’ disciples steal his body and falsely claim that he was raised. Pilate orders them to “see to it yourselves” and they do, sealing it as best they can and placing a guard in addition.
But their best – our best – is no match for God’s intention to save and redeem, and so a messenger from heaven descends to roll back the stone, sitting upon it as if the best efforts of Jesus’ opponents amount to no more than a stool placed there for his convenience.
Think back, too, to the earthquake that attended Jesus’ death. Once again, the earth shakes, as nature itself witnesses to God’s new creation, as Jesus, executed by crucifixion on Friday, is now raised to new life as the sign, symbol, and promise that God’s redeeming love is stronger than all things, even death.
Moreover, the angel is dazzling, his appearance blinding to look up, not unlike when Moses descended from conversations with God, so bright that he had to conceal his face to converse with his comrades. So also this messenger, sent from the presence of God to announce the new creation of resurrection by deed and word.
Little wonder the guards feint to the ground in terror, lying as dead men for, indeed, the world as they know it is no longer. For this event is a terrifying and wondrous thing. Just as resurrection, new life, and renewed creation should be!
Prayer: Dear God, heaven and earth witnessed to your new creation on the first day of the week, the first day of a new era. May we also. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Post image: “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ” by Piero della Francesca, 1463.
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