The women went early. Yes, their love and desire to serve Jesus put them in the right place at the right time. So too with us. When we continue to serve Jesus faithfully as His Holy Spirit directs us, we will find ourselves at the right place at the right time to encounter Him. Those who seek God find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.” (Matthew 28:1-2)
One encounter can turn sorrow into joy
The two Mary’s were at a low point following the crucifixion of Jesus. It was as if all hope was lost, they could find no way forwards now. We too may have seasons where we walk around with our heads bowed and hearts heavy. But, one encounter with Jesus will turn all of our sorrow into joy.
But how suddenly God can turn everything around. Often we go through life unaware of how God is already moving the pieces into place and how all things are working together for good (Romans 8:28).
We may be praying and pleading with God for an answer to a particular prayer and then suddenly the answer comes. However, this may not always be answered in the way we expect. The Mary’s expected to see the dead body of Jesus but were met instead by an angel with a message of life.
How wonderful it is when God interrupts our preparations and exceeds our expectations.
Encountering an angel and the earthquake
Our world has much power hidden from our sight. The magma under the earth below and angels from heaven above, so powerful that a visit can cause an earthquake.
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land (Revelation 10:1-2)
How awesome are the angels of heaven, yet they are but servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. When the angel appears with a face like lightning and clothing white as snow observers draw back in fear. And yet Jesus, to whom all power and authority has been given, chooses to appear in a way that drew observers near.
Our God is bigger than angels that cause earthquakes and that shine brighter than the sun. Indeed all the heavens cannot hold Him (1 Kings 8:27) and yet He appears to us in such a way that His presence draws us near (Hebrews 12:18).
Transformed by an encounter
The soldiers at the tomb saw the mighty angel, they shook with fear and fell into a faint (Matthew 28:4). And yet, they were quickly bribed away from such a revelation (Matthew 28:15). Seeing was not believing.
For some, even if they see and experience the power of God it is still not enough for them to believe and be saved. Not one of the soldiers got saved through the encounter with the angel.
In contrast we see Jesus hung in humiliation upon the cross. And yet, even in that moment a man is being transformed. “And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42)
The thief had a revelation of Jesus as King even while He hung on the cross. Only Jesus can open up the eyes of our hearts and give us a vision beyond the natural. Jesus’ presence does just that, He changes people’s hearts and this is something that the mighty angel could not do.
Preparing a place for Jesus
It is not therefore about the power, glory and dazzlement of heaven but about an encounter with Jesus that brings transformation.
Even among the best of us, it’s doubtful that we can shine like an angel from heaven. Yes, God has given us talents or ways that we can serve Him. But it is all about preparing a place for Jesus.
This is a wonderful lesson for us to hold on to as we seek to serve Jesus. If people do not encounter Jesus they will not be changed by anything we do. This then needs to be our focus in all of our service, it is all about Jesus.