He Is Risen Pt. 1

Everything in the Old Testament points to God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. These events fulfilled many prophecies, and affected many real people who lived through them. This blog article explores the circumstances surrounding the crucifixion as seen through the eyes of Mary Magdalene.

Night had fallen. Everything was quiet. It seemed strange, after all the commotion yesterday. What wasn’t quiet was my heart. Oh no, my heart screamed in agony. He was gone. Dead. There wasn’t anything I could do to change it. I was alone.

I had watched as the chief priests wrongfully brought charges against Him (Luke 23:2). I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t say anything amidst the tumultuous roar of men hurling insults and accusations against Him. He had saved me from seven demons who had commandeered my body, forcing me to behave in ways I still shuddered to think about (Mark 16:9). And there He was before me, His life hanging in the balance, and I couldn’t help Him. He didn’t even defend Himself (Mark 15:3)!

How could a city that celebrated Him on Sunday (Matthew 21:8-11), kill the same man on Friday? How could anyone believe that such a compassionate teacher deserved death? How could some of the same people He had healed, the same people who had followed Him, turn on Him? My thoughts whirled at a dizzying pace.

I thought He was the Son of God. He said He was our King…but He didn’t wear a crown, not until they shoved the thorns on His head in mockery (Matthew 27:29). He claimed to be “the resurrection and the life,” but how could this be if He was dead (John 11:25)? He taught using the scriptures of our forefathers, with more authority than the scribes ever did (Mark 1:22). I trusted Him.

He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). Ha! How could my heart not be troubled? My world has been turned upside down by His death. Yet, I still trust Him. I still believe in Him. His death doesn’t make sense to me, at least, not yet.

When He died, the sun darkened (Luke 23:45). The very ground beneath us shook (Matthew 27:51). The four-inch-thick veil in the temple separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place split from top to bottom (Mark 15:38). He had healed sicknesses (Matthew 8:3). He had performed miracles (Mark 6:40-42). He had forgiven sins (Luke 7:48). That couldn’t have been mere man on the cross.

The sun will rise in just a few more hours. Then, my agonizing wait for Sabbath to end would be over. Mary, mother of James, and I have planned to go anoint His body with spices, the body of the One who “came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). I hope against hope that morning will provide some answers.

Come back next week for Part II!

To read the complete accounts of the Crucifixion, please see:
Matthew 27
Mark 15
Luke 23
John 19