Horsham: 18th April 2026

Christ Is Risen

This reading draws on the resurrection accounts offered by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

‘On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (Luke 24:1) When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. (Mark16:1-4_) ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them,(Luke 24:4-5) ⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” ⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Matthew 28:5-8)

We saw in an earlier post that the first witnesses to the resurrection  may have been the guards. It seems probable that they had disappeared before any of the friends of Jesus arrived at the tomb. Scripture tells us that the first visitors on Easter morning were Mary Magdalene with one or two other women.

The narrative is poignant. A small group of women, determined to show their love and respect for their dead friend by anointing his body, make their way in the dim light of dawn to the garden where Jesus is buried. They are anxious about how they will get access to the tomb. The tomb is already open. One or more angels appear. The women fall to the ground.

‘Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘

End Piece

To us, this is a familiar story. When we read it, we forget the intensity of the moment. These women are expecting to deal with the brutally disfigured body of Jesus. The tomb is open. The tomb is empty. The women are terrified. They have no idea how this ends.

The first words of the angel are ‘do not be afraid.‘ The sight of an angel inspires fear. The next words of the angel are ‘He is not here. He is risen.’

Resurrection. Surely that is a cause for joy.  And so these women run home, their hearts overwhelmed, bursting with mixed emotions.

⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex