Who Will Be in the Splash Zone?

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”  Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

- Matthew 27:54-56 -

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

- Matthew 27:58-61 -

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 

- Matthew 28:1-7 -

In these verses, it was a particular group of women who were a) witnesses of His death, b) witness of His burial and c) witness of His resurrection.  Can you imagine what they were going through?  The one the had not only followed, but had also "cared for His needs" was suddenly dying right before their eyes!  The one they had attended to, followed, dare I say deeply loved was being buried before their eyes.

Jesus had asked His disciples once, if they could drink from the same cup that He will drink. (Matthew 20:22)  Indeed they would eventually, but in these hours this group were coming about as close as humanly possible to walking through what He was walking through - drinking from the same cup that He was drinking.

But I submit that it wasn't necessarily because of any virtue of their own.  I submit that their hearts had grown so close to Jesus that they couldn't tear themselves away.  But because of this passion, even compulsion of theirs, they were the first people in all of human history to witness the resurrection of the King and Creator of the Universe.  Jesus Christ the Savior of all souls who will surrender to Him!

Let that sink in.  Selah, as they say.  Imagine having the distinction of being the first to witness the resurrection of Jesus!

But they were also among the few who had the distinction having watched Him die and be buried.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said in his "I've been to the Mountaintop" sermon, "But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars."

If we want to be part of the glorious wonders of the Morning Star, we must be ready to walk through the "Dark Night of the Soul".

The question is put to each and every one of us: Are you ready?  For it's with trepidation and excitement that the time is imminent that the time is soon upon us.