Matthew 28:9

Mat. 28:9. It may be pleasant and profitable to consider the various passions that these women felt in their hearts on this occasion. Christ was a person exceeding dear to them; and they lately had their hearts filled and overwhelmed with sorrow, upon the occasion of the cruel and ignominious death that they with their own eyes had seen Christ put to. See Matthew 27:55; Matthew 27:56. And they never expected to see Him alive any more; and they had with great art prepared precious ointment to anoint His body, and doubtless were much vexed that they could not have opportunity to do it, by the reason of the Sabbath coming on, till the third day after His death. And now they come very early, - the first day of the week, - greatly engaged in their minds to do it. But when they come there they find the sepulcher empty; they could not find the body of Jesus, as John informs us, and had the sorrow of the disappointment in their design of anointing His body, added to the sorrow for His death; while they stood here disappointed and sorrowful, not knowing what to do, two angels appeared to them and told them that Christ was risen and was alive. This filled them with surprise and joy. For it did not only take away their concern for their disappointment in not finding the body of Jesus in the sepulcher, but brought the unexpected and unspeakably joyful news that Christ, their dear Lord, was alive again. How suddenly did this turn them from the deepest sorrow to overflowing joy! It is said, in verse 8....How eager were they to impart the joyful news to their fellow-disciples, who were sharers in their sorrow for His death; and as they ran, Christ Himself met them, and in a friendly manner saluted them; and what a new surprise was this! Now they see with their own eyes the truth of what the angels had told them. How did it heighten their joy, now to see their dear Lord Himself, whom they had so lately seen put to so cruel a death, and never expected to see more, meet them alive, saluting them in a sweet and cheerful manner! and how do they express their joy and love to their risen Lord! They come and hold Him by the feet and worship Him. They express their joy, and testify their respect to Him, in the most dear, humble, and adoring manner.