John 20:11-12
Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the foot.
What were those two angels doing in the empty tomb? I wonder what their role was. Were they sent from heaven to help Jesus to rise and awaken? Did they remove his burial clothing? And were they waiting to be sure that Mary understood that Jesus had risen? There are so many questions that come to mind, and really very few answers. But one thing seems fairly certain, that God sent the angels to be with Jesus and to greet Mary at the tomb. They had a role to play.
Holy Lord, your angels are a mystery to me. Help me to see the angels you may put in my path. Amen
Becky, transforming
Thursday, October 17th, 2024
John 20:11-12
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
This scripture explains Mary's weeping several times.. The agony of Mary's mourning only troubled her more when she was unable to pay honor to Jesus' body. She didn't recognize the men in the tomb as angels. Jesus’ resurrection is paramount to the gospel message, and the angels were present at the empty tomb to give evidence to the fact that He had indeed risen. In the gospels God’s angels announced the birth,…
John 20:11-12
We have read or been told this story since we were Sunday Schoolers. As kids, we didn’t bring our adult discomfort regarding the presence of angels in the tomb. We are given few details, other than they were clothed in white and asked Mary why she was crying. No further mention is made of them. It is as if they simply disappear. Did Mary recognize them as angels? She apparently did not recognize the resurrected Jesus. Where did they go after greeting Mary? I am reminded of the many stories in our time told by reliable, sober people of what is only understood in retrospect as an angelic encounter. An unknown person suddenly shows up, performs a helpful…