Before I delve into this message, please open up your bible to two passages. The first is Matthew 27:62-66 and the second is Mark 16:1-4.
As I was studying my bible yesterday morning, I came across these two familiar passages of scripture. Now normally I gloss over these passages while reading my bible so that I can get to the "good" part--the part when the women realize that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. However, yesterday the Lord made me slow down and analyze those two points in scripture. For those of you that don't know, I use a Chronological Life Application Study Bible to study scripture. While it is a bit awkward to use during church services (the books are in chronological order, not canonical), this study bible is PERFECT for analyzing parallel passages of text (you can find it here if you are interested in learning more about it). Not only does this bible help you connect the dots between historical events that took place in scripture, it also provides some context into the situations that are occurring in the text.
Looking at both the scriptures referenced earlier, we find ourselves at a point in time three days after Jesus was crucified. He was taken off the cross and was buried in a tomb by Joseph and Nicodemus, while Mary and some of the others with them watched and grieved. All of Jesus' followers were filled with mixed emotions (sadness, anger, frustration, confusion, etc.). They just witnessed Jesus die on the cross and many were feeling dejected. The disciples did not remember that Jesus told them that He would be resurrected (Matthew 20:17-19), so many of them felt abandoned. In contrast to them were the Pharisees that remembered Jesus' words and were very fearful.
The Pharisees were so fearful that one of Jesus' followers would remove the body, that they took extra precautions to ensure that no one would have access to Him. The religious leaders had Jesus' tomb sealed by a giant stone that was rolled over the entrance. In addition to that, scholars say that they also had it sealed by a stringing cord across the stone that was sealed on each end with clay, preventing the stone from being moved. Last, they had guards placed at the entrance of the tomb so that no one could enter. These precautions that were made were supposed to ensure that none of Jesus' followers could get into the tomb and remove his body to to "claim" that he was resurrected.
Fast forward to three days after the burial of Jesus. Mary and some other women are walking to the tomb with spices to place on Jesus. As they were approaching the tomb, they discussed that they needed someone to unseal the tomb so that they could enter. Here are some key things to remember about this moment:
- The ladies did not remember Jesus' words about His resurrection
- They watched as the tomb was sealed with guards protecting it (they knew that they couldn't get in)
- They did not bring any men with them to help them unseal it
Sounds a little bit fishy, doesn't it?
So one might ask this question: Why were they walking to Jesus' tomb KNOWING that there was a very small chance that they could get it open? I believe that they were walking to the tomb, because God lead them to. Think about it for a moment, there was no guarantee that they could enter to tomb to see Jesus because there were guards posted in front of it AND it was heavily sealed. The women did not remember that Jesus would be resurrected, so the only reason why they were going to the tomb was to hopefully see Jesus.
I argue that this is a very powerful moment in scripture because God ordered their steps and led them to the tomb so that they would see Jesus arisen from the dead! God placed the thought in their heart to pick up burial spices for Jesus (whom they knew that they could not get access to) so that they would be there to witness Jesus resurrected. The thought came to them like an ordinary thought comes to us.
Now let's think about how this can apply to our own lives. You might be in a situation right now that may seem bleak and almost impossible to overcome, but they text confirms that fact that God is SOVEREIGN! These women were sure that their savior was dead and inaccessible, however, they STILL went to the tomb and were able to see Him! Likewise, God allows us to enter situations that lead to His glory manifested in our lives. God places thoughts in our heads to do or say certain things that can in turn uplift and minister to others. Remember that God is sovereign and that He knows all. What you might think is a normal/rough/weird situation, may lead to a great blessing.
I want to leave you with this thought: Mary did not remember that Jesus said that He would be resurrected in three days. She doubted once she saw Jesus die on the cross. she also didn't expect to see the tomb open when she arrived. However, once she witnessed the Christ resurrected, her faith was restored! God manifested himself greatly for Mary at the moment and He wants to do the same for us. Never discount any moment/event in your life because everything that happens is done to bring us closer to God.
To God be the glory!
I love y'all for free,
nNb :-)
