“When they returned from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women who told all these things told this to the apostles. But these words seemed like pure nonsense to them, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He bending down and saw only the strips of linen of linen cloth; then he went home, wondering what had happened.” —Luke 24:9–12
Hurrying away from the tomb, astonished, amazed, bewildered, and afraid, yet all the while filled with joy, these women experienced the entire range of emotions. They had a story to tell the disciples and they were ready to tell it in reverential fear. I think it was wonderful of God to allow these women to be the first ones to bring the good news of His story. While I realize this is not true in every case, and I am certainly not meaning any offense, women in general are better in giving the details of a story than men. We enjoy hearing and telling all the little particulars—all the nuances to every detail. They had just experienced the supernatural and they were stunned. Mark tells us in his gospel:
“Then they went out and ran from the tomb, for terror and bewilderment had seized them. And they said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” —Mark 16:8
The word translated “bewildered” is from the Greek word ekstasis meaning: “Astonishment, amazement, bewilderment; it is a sense of breathtaking and profound amazement coupled with exquisite dread at the sight of something remarkable, incredible, strange, or supernatural; the gripping fascination with some enthralling phenomenon which drives one from his powers of reason in order to encounter it; the word portrays someone as being carried away out of mind, being so psychologically and emotionally moved by some fantastic sight that he loses all sense of his present situation. He is held captive by it and falls under its sway because it is beyond his power to impose rational controls on the object of wonder.” (Hebrew Greek Key Word Study Bible New Testament Lexical Aids)
Unfortunately, the report the women gave was not well received. Rather it seemed to the disciples as idle talk and sheer nonsense.
“They thought it was only the fancy of the women, and ascribed it to the power of imagination; for they also had forgotten Christ’s words. One cannot but be amazed at the stupidity of these disciples—who had themselves so often professed that they believed Christ to be the Son of God, had been so often told that he must die and rise again, and then enter into his glory, had seen him more than once raise the dead—that they should be so slow to believe.” —Matthew Henry
Slow to believe. Is it not amazing, when the day is cloudy and dark, how forgetful we become of the obvious? Not comprehending the Master’s plan, Peter leaves the tomb scratching his head and wondering. Who would have just stolen the body and not the grave clothes—not to mention leaving them folded so neatly behind? Who moved the stone and chased away the powerful Roman guards?
Become More
I find comfort in the disciple’s confusion. If Peter and John, who had both walked so closely with Jesus, could be baffled on that dark day, then my confusion seems understandable as well. It is easy to believe in Jesus when the day is bright, but let the winds and rain clouds come and it is quite another story. We are then often left forgetful of the promises of our Lord.
Having a firm grasp of God’s Word is critical when the storms of life begin to blow. That is how we are able to rest secure in Him … and that is His desire for all of His children.
“The beloved of the LORD will live safely by him, he protects him all the time, and the LORD places him on his chest.” —Deuteronomy 33:12
“Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, show courage, be strong.” —1 Corinthians 16:13
Further Reflections
“I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.” —Philippians 4:13
“Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorify Himself in thy weakness, and magnify His might in the midst of thy distress.” —Charles H. Spurgeon