~Object 22~ An Empty Tomb

Mary walked there long ago, shivering in the cold darkness.  She could hardly believe that He was gone.  They had all thought that He would overthrow the Romans and rule as King...but then He died.  He hadn't even stood up for Himself or tried to stop them, not even once.  And the words He had spoken!  "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Tears fell as she remembered His words.  "Forgive them?"  She was struggling right now with this very thing.  She knew that He had forgiven them, she knew that He would want her to do the same, but how could she?  All she could think of was the sorrow in His eyes as He hung there, humiliated and dying in the presence of those He loved.

She reached the garden and cried out.  After all they had done, would they deny Him the right to rest in peace?  After killing their teacher would they not even allow them to visit Him?  The boulder was moved, and the tomb open.  Angry she ran to the entrance and saw that He was, indeed, gone.  Why?  Why would someone do this?

Then it hit her, the others didn't know.  She ran to them and told Simon-Peter and John what she had seen. "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."  She saw in their eyes that they were as angry as she was as they went together to the tomb, the empty tomb.  John reached it first and stood in the doorway, confusion and disgust written on his face.  Peter and Mary then came and she watched as Peter ran inside.  John followed him in and they stood there together, grown men crying at the sight of the wraps which had clothed Jesus.  They left her alone then, as they walked back, distraught.

She stood outside, weeping alone.  About to leave she took one last glimpse into the dark place and started back in surprise.  There were men, two of them, shining and glorious, sitting where Jesus had lain.
"Woman, why are you weeping?"  They asked her gently.
"They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
She turned to go, but was met by a third man who asked the same question of her.
Thinking He was a gardener she frantically answered Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away!"
Just one word left His lips and she knew it was He, "Mary."
"Rabboni!"

Mary walked there long ago, shivering in the cold darkness.  She was met with an empty grave and anger filled her being.  She left filled with joy, now understanding the beauty of the empty tomb.

He is risen!

Source

A blessed Resurrection Sunday to you all!

Over and out,

~Emily

P.S. All scripture quotations taken from the English Standard Version Bible, Luke 23:34 and John chapter 20