The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him (John 20:1-2).
Matthew tells us that the chief priests asked Pilate to seal the tomb and put a guard on it to stop Jesus’ disciples moving His body and claiming He had risen from the dead as Jesus said He would. Pilate told them they had guards it was for them to seal the tomb and mount a guard, which they did. The other disciple, whom Jesus loved, was John, as tradition dictated he referred to himself anonymously. The first day of the week was Sunday, in Mark, Luke and John’s account it was after 6am, the start of the Jewish day. Matthew tells us that it was at dawn, still Saturday, the Sabbath, therefore slightly before 6am and Mary, the mother of Jesus, was with Mary Magdalene. There were no clocks it was all down to perception according to the sun. Some will centre on timing to doubt and debate, but others will see the resurrection and believe. Matthew’s account gives more detail: an earthquake, the Angel of the Lord who was like lightning and brilliant white clothing, the guards shaking and collapsing at the sight of the Angel and the stone rolled away. Mark’s account reports the Angel in the tomb declaring the resurrection of Christ and telling the women to go and tell His disciples. Luke reports two Angels in shining garments who told Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Jesus’ mother Mary to go and tell the disciples, The disciples did not believe them, thought they were telling them idle tales, fanciful women’s talk, a reason some gospels play down some of what was seen and done, but they not only saw it but remembered what Jesus had said of His resurrection on the third day. John tells us that Mary Magdalene went first to Peter and himself and told them that the chief priests had taken Jesus’ body and she did not know where they had taken Him. We must remember that highly charged emotional events do bring confusion at first, and then the gospels were written decades after these events. But we who are graced to move in the love and power of Almighty God see remarkable, miraculous things happening, so these events are not outrageous, they are believable. Nothing is impossible with God, Jesus told the disciples that through faith we can command a mountain to be moved into the sea, and it will be picked up and bodily thrown into the sea. Ask, in the name of Jesus, believe you receive it and you will have it.
PLEASE PRAY for Fiskerton meetings, that God’s presence for salvation, healing and deliverance will so fill the house that only God can minister. All power is given to the wonderful name of Jesus. Thank you, God bless you. NEXT MEETINGS at Fiskerton: DISCIPLESHIP MEETING, Wednesday 12 AUGUST @ 7pm. REVIVAL MEETING, Saturday 15 AUGUST @ 4pm. BIBLE STUDY, Wednesday 19 AUGUST @ 7pm.