In these verses (Fohn xx. iff.) we have the first step towards
RESURRECTION
1. THE NEED FOR PROOF OF THE RESURRECTION
HERE was no one thing which the apostles were more concerned to produce substantial proof of than the resurrection of their Master. (a) Because this was what He Himself had appealed to as the last and most cogent proof of His being the Messiah. 'They that would not believe other signs were referred to this sign of the prophet Jonas. Therefore the enemies were most solicitous to stifle the notices of this. If he be risen, they are not only murderers, but murderers of the Messiah.
(b) Because this was that upon which the performance of His undertaking for our redemption and salvation did depend. If He give His life a ransom, and donot resumeit, it does not appear that His giving of it was accepted asasatisfaction. If He beimprisoned for our debt, and lie by it, we are undone (1 Cor. xv. 17).
(c) Because He never showed Himself alive after His resurrection to all the people (Acts x. 40, 41).
We would have said, Let His ignominious death be private, and His glorious resurrection public. But God's thoughts are not as ours: and He ordered it that His death should be public, before the sun, by the same token that He blushed and hid His face upon it. But the demonstrations of His resurrection should be reserved as a favour for His particular friends, and by them be published to the world, that they might be blessed who have not seen and yet have believed. The method of proof is such as gives abundant satisfaction to those who are piously disposed to receive the doctrine and law of Christ, and yet leaves room for those to object who are willingly ignorant and obstinate in their unbelief. And this is a fair trial, suited to the case of those who are probationers.
2. Proors PROVIDED
In these verses (Fohn xx. iff.) we have the first step towards the proof of Christ's resurrection. The sepulchre was found
Resurrection 199 empty. He is not here, and if so they must tell us where He is, or we conclude Him risen. Mary Magdalene coming to the sepulchre finds the stone taken away. This evangelist does not mention the other women who went with Mary Magdalene, but her only, because she was the most active and forward in this visit to the sepulchre, and in her appeared the most affection.
It was an affection kindled by a good cause: in consideration of the great things Christ had done for her. Much was forgiven her, therefore she loved much. She had showed her affection to Him while He lived, attended His doctrine, ministered to Him of her substance (Luke vil. 2, 3). It does not appear she had any business now at Jerusalem but to wait upon Him, for the women were not bound to go up to the feast. Probably she and others followed Him the closer, as Elisha did Elijah, now they know their Master should shortly be taken from their head (2 Kings ii. 1, 2). The continued instances of her respect to Him, at and after His death, proved the sincerity of her love. Love to Christ, if it be cordial, will be constant. Her love to Christ was strong as death, the death of the cross, for it stood by that; cruel as the grave, for it made a visit to that, and was not deterred by its terrors.
(a) She came to the sepulchre to wash the dead body with her tears; for she went to the grave to weep there and to anoint it with the ointment she had prepared. The grave is a house that people do not care for making visits to. They that are free among the dead are separated from the living. It must be an extraordinary affection to the person which will endear His grave to us. It is especially frightful to the weak and timorous sex. Could she, who had not strength enough to roll away the stone, pretend to such a presence of mind as to enter the grave? The Jews' religion forbade them to meddle any more than needs must with graves and dead bodies. In visiting
Christ's sepulchre she exposed herself, and perhaps the disciples, to the suspicion of a design to steal Him away. And what real service could she do Him by it? But her love answers these and a thousand such objections.
(b) She came as soon as she could; for she came upon the first day of the week, as soon as ever the sabbath was gone, longing, not to sell corn, and to set forth wheat (as Amos viii. 5), but to be at the sepulchre. They that love Christ will take the first opportunity of testifying their respects to Him. This was the