You’ll Never Guess Who I Saw The Other Day

Which account of the Lord’s resurrection do you favor? Which one draws you into the living Presence? May I summarize them for the sake of conversation?

Matthew: Early on Sunday morning, two women go out in the darkness to visit the tomb. A bright light bursts upon them and the tomb guards, the stone rolls away and an angel sits on it to tell them that Jesus is risen from the dead. The women run to tell their friends and as they do, they meet the risen Jesus.

Mark: Just before sunrise, a group of women go to the tomb, wondering who will roll the stone away, presumably for the anointing ritual. They find the stone moved, they go inside where they meet an angel who informs them that Jesus is risen; they run from the tomb trembling and bewildered. And this is where the ancient manuscript of Mark ends. But, at least two endings were added later, one of which has Mary Magdalene going to the grief-stricken disciples, telling them what she had seen, and hearing from them: We don’t believe you. Later resurrection appearances confirm that he lives.

Luke: Similar to Mark, Luke tells of women going to the tomb to anoint Jesus, finding him gone, meeting two angels who inform them of his resurrection. They run back to tell the men, and, again, the grieving men think their story sounds like nonsense, and they refuse to believe a word of it. Then follows the brilliant Walk To Emmaus story in which Jesus is recognized in the blessing, breaking and sharing of bread.

John: This telling of the story has women at the tomb, crying, visibly shaken. They meet angels who question them, and when Mary Magdalene turns to leave, she sees a figure close by, assumes he is the gardener, and asks where the body was taken. When the man speaks here name, Mary, she knows who he is. The risen Christ stands before her, recognized in the calling of her name. Later appearances of the Risen Christ confirm his resurrection.

Each Gospel telling offers food for spiritual thought and reports a bit differently. Women play a prominent role, men question and want proof, angels announce and confirm, and the Risen Christ comes to them, most beautifully, in the intimacy of relationship (He called her name) and in the sharing of a meal together (Emmaus). While the stories differ in detail, they all come to the same conclusion. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! May the message of these stories live in you always and may you meet the Risen One in your daily experience. Press on.