Matthew 28:1-10
28 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2 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. 3 His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. 4 For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he[a] lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,[b] and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8 So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Each of the 4 gospels tell us about an early morning journey made by Mary Magdalene and a few other women. They had been near the cross as Jesus breathed His last. They had seen where His dead body was placed at the start of the sabbath. And early on Sunday, the first day of the week, the earliest they could go after required sabbath rest, they made their way to the tomb to properly prepare the body of their Lord and friend. And they were the first to learn the good news of the Resurrection.
They set out that morning to grieve, and their sadness turned to joy as they met the Risen Lord. Joy is what awaits us as we seek to see our Savior.
Prayer
Precious Lord Jesus, meet us with joy as we make an early morning journey to serve and love you. Amen.
