Shadow of the Cross Part V: He Is Risen!

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat on it. His countenance was like lightening, and his clothing was white as snow. 

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

(Matthew 28: 1-6)

Yes, the same angel who on the hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ's birth, now rolls away the huge stone from the tomb of Jesus as though it were a mere pebble and the guards hear him proclaim: 

Son of God, come forth;  Thy Father calls Thee. 

They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim, 

"I am the resurrection and the life."

Christ came forth from the tomb glorified and the Roman guards saw it.  Their eyes were riveted on the glorified face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and severely beaten.   This was the One for whom they had made a crown of thorns.  This was the One who had been nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction, had wagged their heads saying, 

"He saved others; Himself He cannot save."   

Oh, how wrong they were!

The decree of heaven had loosed the captive.  Mountains piled upon mountains over His tomb could not have prevented Him from coming forth.

Rejoice! Here is our hope...He is risen! 

This series was based on the Gospels and the Desire of Ages by E. White.