by Timothy W. Burnett
Mary came to the sepulchre early in the morning while it was still dark on the first day of the week which is our Sunday morning. She found the heavy stone door rolled away, and immediately ran to Peter and another disciple and told them that somebody took the Lord's body out of the sepulchre.
After hearing Mary's report, the two disciples ran to the sepulchre. The other disciple arrived first, peered in and saw the linen clothes. Peter arrived next, went inside and saw the same linen clothes as well as the napkin that was wrapped around the Lord's head. It was wrapped or rolled up and sitting in a spot by itself. Then the other disciple came in and also believed Mary's report. At this time, they did not believe Jesus was alive because they did not yet know the scripture that the Lord must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their home.
We might ask how is it that the disciples did not yet know the scripture that the Lord must rise from the dead again. The word "know" meant to understand. Jesus clearly told them in advance what would happen to him. According to Luke 18:34, "...they understood none of these things."
After the two disciples left, Mary stayed outside of the sepulchre crying. And while she cried she stooped down, looked inside and saw two angels in white clothing sitting one at the head and the other at the foot of where the Lord once laid. They asked her why she was crying and she replied, "beccause they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they laid him." When she said this, she turned to look back and saw Jesus, but did not know it was him.
Jesus asked her why she was crying and who she was looking for. Assuming that he was the gardener, she replied, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus answered, "Mary." She turned herself and siad, "Master." Jesus told her not to touch him because he had not yet ascended to his "Father and your Father, and his God and your God." Jesus must have been bubbling over with excitement while waiting for the right moment to reveal himself to Mary.
Mary returned to the disciples and did as Jesus instructed her. According to Mark 16:10-11, the disciples were mourning and crying when she arrived. They also did not believe her report that she saw Jesus alive. Based on the record in John, they mourned because they believed somebody stole Jesus' body from the grave.
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