Today, reply is made on why Mary and others went out to the tomb of Jesus early on “Resurrection Sunday.” The process of GOD through Jesus Christ has been one of continuous and permanent change, gradual growth, and preparing for full transformation that will be completed at the Second Coming of Jesus (we also say, the Advent, the harvest, the Rapture). At first, belief and conviction would depend upon completing practical tasks, recall and reflection, where later operations of the Holy Spirit would edify and carry believers forward through prophecy and gifts of the Spirit. Many who obeyed during the crisis of Jesus being arrested and tried still did not understand how these things were fulfilling eternal purposes. Others even reacted with unbelief because they simply continued in long-standing habits, and their usual routines. Just as the women had not completed all the work for cleansing and preserving a body before entombment, the sacred event and operations by the Spirit of GOD were not yet all completed. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Phil” (Level 4 with 4,343 points, a member since September 18, 2010) posted the following:
What was Mary Magdalene doing sniffing round Jesus' tomb after three days? Necrophilia or did he owe her some money?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2: 18-22, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Resurrected With The Lord (04/16/2017); The Holy Week Continues (04/14/2017); Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); Anointed, Consecrated and Installed (08/04/2016); The Practice of Forgiveness (07/03/2016); Anointed? (04/28/2014); No More “Mr. Nice Guy”? (04/29/2014); Jesus, A Party Animal? (05/03/2013); Jesus Lives! (05/04/2013); Experience Is Not Evidence? (05/05/2013)
“Phil,” the work was not finished, and there was still much that had to be accomplished. Jesus had been placed in the tomb shortly before sundown and the beginning of the Sabbath. The task of removing his body from the cross had to be done. As the highest Roman official having authority regarding the execution of the Lord, Pontius Pilate had to be petitioned for permission to bury the Savior in a private sepulcher that was owned by a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin. In addition to carefully removing the crown of thorns so as not to tear away the flesh, there was the work of stopping the open wounds of his body, washing away the still drying blood, sealing his wounds, applying ointments and spices that would slow the decay and keep the body from stinking, as well as gathering to express bereavement through prayers and ritual mourning.
In the same way, those in flesh had not completed all their necessary tasks, there remained much to be done by the Spirit of the Lord. For the people of GOD in Christ, loss of, and separation from loved ones by death are to be understood as reversible by GOD, and temporary. Rather than emotion, thoughts, and memories, commitment, discernment and eternal purpose should be in charge. Even so, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathaea, his own Mother, and John who had witnessed his crucifixion had not yet received the imparted, indwelling Spirit (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth) that would be sent to abide among them on the day of Pentecost. Until then, mankind could only be prompted and stirred to take action guided by the Spirit, and this occurred as mere episodes that did not seem to be connected.
The process of GOD during our bereavement is to affirm and continue life, therefore, when the Comforter arrives he commands that we go to work among the living: We are to minister and meet the needs of others by showing hospitality, encouraging joy, and proclaiming the promises of GOD. The faith of the apostles and disciples first would have to be amplified and built up for them to realize the many things Jesus spoke as explanation and instruction that they had taken as only casual remarks. Consider again the following from the Bible:
(1.) Mark 15: 42-44, King James Version (KJV): 42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.
(2.) Mark 16: 1-4, KJV: 1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
(3.) John 14: 25-27, KJV: 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 1st Thessalonians 4: 13-18, KJV: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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