December 2, 2023
A Portal From Death To Life
(Some information may be too graphic for small children)
“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.” John 20:11-12 (NASB)
In baptism, we often see it as a celebration. The meaning is more significant. The whole process represents something. Although I can’t mention every aspect, there is something important about every part of it. When the person goes under the water, it represents burial with Christ in baptism (Rom. 6:4); as the person rises from immersion, it represents the washing of the blood of Jesus Christ in atonement for the person’s sins. As the person is lifted out of the water, they are raised in newness of life (Rom. 6:5-6). Upon accepting Christ as Savior they have been freed from the power of sin (Rom. 6:7). This is a wonderful reminder to us in Christ.
“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb;” There seems to be confusion by some about the opening size of tombs. Since some tombs in Palestine were rather small, they had small openings. There is no use for a large entrance to a small tomb. In Joseph’s tomb, however, the opening might have been big and sealed by a large stone, so to enter one had to step down into the tomb. Once inside the tomb would have been large enough to stand and accommodate more than one in niches. Typically, if a body had no place (like condemned men), they were cast into an open common grave site outside the city. For Jesus to receive the temporary tomb was an honor. In cases where condemned men were executed, they would not share a family tomb. It would defile the grave. Jesus’ grave was an honorary burial site. This showed high esteem for Him, but He wouldn’t need it for long. Note Mary’s response. She looked in, as John (vs. 5), but did not go inside. “… and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying.” Lenski shares an interesting perspective: “Only one explanation has been found for this apparent riddle. Mary has so completely given her heart to one thought and to the deep grief it brought that all other impressions fail to register in her mind… Yet she moves about so that she neither sees nor hears nor inquires about anything; so completely her heart is elsewhere.’ Luther. The white color is symbolical of the purity and the holiness of heaven. The angels are seated as though waiting for Mary. If they were standing, this would imply that they were about to act or about to leave. Quietly, peacefully they sit. For, indeed, this tomb was both a holy and a blessed place. Though it is the house of death, no death had been here, no odor of death clung here. Those linen bands spoke of death but of death destroyed and overcome, and thus of life and immortality brought to light. This house, intended for death, was the very portal of heaven. Angels, indeed, belonged in this tomb. Little had Joseph thought what kind of a tomb he had the workmen hew out for him. It is John who tells us that two angels were present. The linen bands and the headcloth were two earthly witnesses, and these angels two heavenly witnesses to attest the Lord’s resurrection to men. Heaven and earth unite in the tomb of Jesus.”[1]
What an amazing thing to witness. Those who escorted Jesus remained to speak with a broken-hearted woman consumed in grief. Her faith was about to grow exponentially.
[1] Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). (p. 1350). Augsburg Publishing House.