Mark 16:1-8
1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might come and anoint Him.
2 And very early on the first day of the week, they *came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?”
4 And looking up, they *noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large.
5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.
6 But he *said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him.
7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’ ”
8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The Women Visiting the Tomb
Having the eyes of a philosopher or the eyes of a historian
The accounts of Jesus’ resurrection in the four Gospels may seem contradictory in detail. How should we understand this? (1) Philosophers tend to conclude that if there are contradictions, it cannot be factual. (2) However, historians draw a different conclusion. If even the small details were exactly the same, it might suggest a rehearsed account. It is common for different people to report the same event in varying ways. Even if the details differ, if the core remains consistent, it is considered a truthful account.
Resurrection is a fact
Comparing the four Gospels through the eyes of a historian, the following general facts can be drawn: (1) Firstly, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb (John 20:1). She sees the empty tomb and reports it to Peter and John (John 20:2). (2) Next, two women come to the tomb. They witness the appearance of an angel who delivers two messages: Jesus has risen, and He will meet His disciples in Galilee. They go and report this to the disciples other than Peter and John. The apostles, however, did not believe them upon hearing the story (Luke 24:9–11). (3) Peter and John, upon hearing Mary’s report, run to the tomb (John 20:3–4). After inspecting the tomb, they depart with different conclusions. (4) Mary returns to the tomb and meets Jesus, but she is not allowed to touch Him because Jesus had not yet completed the purification of the Most Holy Place in heaven. (5) Other women also return to the tomb, and at this point, they too encounter Jesus. Here, they worship Him by holding onto His feet. What was not allowed for Mary is permitted for these other women because Jesus had already completed the purification of the Most Holy Place in heaven. If the resurrection of Jesus were a fabrication, the disciples would not have made these women the first witnesses. Jesus has indeed risen and is alive today. Here lies our hope.
Today's prayer
O Almighty God, the resurrection of Lord Jesus is a historical fact, vividly conveyed in the Scriptures. I believe. And I offer my thanks to You. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.