The Empty Tomb

Mileseva monastery

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went into Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where he was laid.

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away -- for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples -- and Peter -- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

- Mark 15:42-16:8

Immediately following Jesus' death, we begin to get glimpses of the believers who will form the firstfruits of the kingdom of Christian faith (see yesterday's reading and commentary). Joseph of Arimathea is a "prominent counsel member" of the Sanhedrin. In the role he plays after the death of Jesus, we are to understand that followers came from everywhere - even among the leadership. Joseph is a wealthy man, and donates not only the tomb, but also fine linen for the anointing of Jesus' body. He boldly goes to Pilate - an act of great courage - to publicly ask for Jesus' body. Joseph is a man, we are told, who was waiting for the kingdom of God. He is, according to my study bible, sympathetic to the message of Jesus. According to ancient church tradition, Joseph would go on to evangelize the British Isles. My study bible also notes that Pilate "marveled" because crucified men usually lived for many hours, or even days after being hung on the cross.

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away -- for it was very large. It's interesting how the gospel is utterly silent during the Sabbath. Our events take place on Preparation Day (the day before the Sabbath - and still the name for Friday in Greek) and we continue very early in the morning when the Sabbath was past. My study bible says that Mary the mother of James is probably the mother of James the Less, one of the Twelve. Salome is most likely the mother of James and John Zebedee, the "Brothers of Thunder," two of the Twelve, and among Jesus' most intimate circle. These women are by tradition called "the Holy Myrrhbearers." They bring spices - aromatic oils - so that Jesus' body may be anointed (not embalmed), which was Jewish custom. Once again, we observe these early Christian believers who will make up the infant church. In contrast to the scattered apostles, these woman, and Joseph of Arimathea, take the courage to act on their faith. Coming alone to the tomb to fulfill customary duties to those whom you love, these women declare openly their devotion to Jesus. In this faith, we are to be a family. We recall Jesus' words about those who are his mother and sister and brother. Joseph and the women are are acting as family to Jesus, and in this sense become family united in love for Christ.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples -- and Peter -- that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. My study bible notes that the stone has been rolled away not to accommodate Jesus' Resurrection, but to show that the tomb is empty. The young man, of course, is actually an angel, who announces the good news. The women who have taken the courage to act on their devotion are the first ones to be witness to Resurrection. These women will have the honor of announcing to the Apostles the good news. In this sense, they are chosen to evangelize to the apostles! A great high honor indeed. In this kingdom, there is equality before God. It is love and devotion that elevates these women to their status; they are among the humblest, in contrast, in their society. As did their sons, were are told, they left all behind to minister to Christ throughout Galilee and have also come to Jerusalem with him. And again, love and devotion is the expression in the empty tomb! "And Peter" is an extension of love and forgiveness and inclusion to the apostle who betrayed Christ three times. This encouraging word is a message of love, specifically directed at one who may feel outcast by his own actions of betrayal.

My study bible also points out that they are to return to Galilee - where, they are told, Jesus will go before them, and they will see him. This is a land inhabited by Gentiles as well as Jews, removed from the center of Jewish life in Judea and Jerusalem. It is the place where Jesus spent the first half of his ministry, and where he and most of his apostles were from. My study bible notes that this represents Christ's mission to the whole world. "The plan of God progresses toward the goal of offering salvation and glory to all mankind." The women go to the tomb in mourning, expecting to anoint the body of their Loved One. Instead they receive an empty tomb, and an announcement of dazzling importance: they are to go tell the apostles that Jesus goes before them into Galilee; He is risen and will see them there! Terrified, they run and are afraid to tell anyone what has happened to them. Such messages, so far out of our own understanding of reality, are often met with awe and terror. It is similar to the dazzling vision of Jesus' Transfiguration, and the terror of his friends (the inner circle of the apostles: James, John and Peter, who are all referenced in some way in this passage).

What are we to make of this empty tomb, with the stone rolled away? In the gospel of Matthew, we are told that, at Jesus' death, "graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised" (see Matthew 27:51-53). From the earliest Christian doctrines, it was taught that Jesus not only ascended to heaven but also to hell, to "free the captives" and offer salvation. The empty tomb is for us a symbol of mystery and also of the good news that faith requires us to accept. He is risen! And he also frees us from our captivity, whatever it is that imprisons our souls and leaves us stuck, wherever we are. The word for angel in Greek (αγγελος) means "messenger." The empty tomb is our understanding that although we may not see, we can believe. Ironically, it also teaches us that His presence is everywhere. In the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, there is a proclamation, "In the grave with Your body, but in hell with Your soul as God, in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with Your Father and the Spirit, O Christ, you are uncontained." Indeed, in that mystery of the empty tomb, he is "uncontained." And he shares that nature with us, to free us from our tombs as well, wherever we are or feel imprisoned, or in a pit. All the metaphors for Hades are those of death, entrapment, abandonment. And it is these chains Christ breaks with his death. The empty tomb sets us free and allows us - invites us - to share in the mystery and the good news. Meditate today on that empty tomb as we await the testimony of the good news. "He is risen!"