The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 643

the likeness of his death, we shall be also hy the like:iess of hie resurrection." 2. The descent of the angel. The women had said among themselves, " Who shall roU us away the stone from the door of the sepulohre?" It was a task beyond their strength, and they were troubled. There was no need for their anxiety. So we often trouble ourselves abo11t the future; we wonder how this or that difficulty shall be overcome; who shall B:lVe us from this or that threatening calamity, "Let not your heart be troubled," saith the Lord; "ye believe in God, believe also in me." 11 In quietness aud confidence shall be your strength." Those fears of ours, those anxious thoughts which almost wear us out, come from want of faith. How often the event proves that there was no ground for them I We fretted ourselves vainly, we made needless vexations for ourselves; for afLer all the threatened trouble never came; or, ii it did come, it was not so terrible; God gave us strength to bear it. It was so now. Oue stronger than they had rolled away the stone. 'l'here was a great earthquake, A mighty angel had come down from heaven; his appearance was as lightnin", and bis raiment white as snow. What could the Roman soldiers do in the presence ;f that effulgent, blinding radiance? For fear of him the watchers did quake (the very earth had quaked at his approach), an~ became as dead men. The mere sight of one angel of the Lord affrighted them into utter helplessness. How would it have fared with the presumptuous multitude who seized the Saviour iu Gethsemane, had he, who is the Lord God of hosts, summoned those heavenly legions? Then he meekly yielded himself; for he willed to suffer and to die that we might live for ever. Now his humiliation was over, the hour of his triumph was come; one angel of the Lord scattered the Roman guard. The strength of man is helpless to withstand the will of God. 3. His addresa to the women. He had done what the women knew was beyond their strength; he had rolled away the stone; they found him sitting on it in his glorious beauty. The blessed angels terrify the euemies of the Lord; they bring joy and gladness to his chosen. The soldiers lay on the ground prostrate, lik& dead men. The holy women started at the glorious vision, but the heavenly music of the angel's voice soon gave them peace and joy. "Fear not ye," the angel said. The pronoun is emphatic. The guards had cause to fear; not so those faithful women. The angel knew what had brought them there-their love a:id devotion for the crucified Saviour. Dut there was no need of their ointments and spices; there was no use for them ; for the an.gel said, " He is not here ; he is risen, as he said." There was some- thing, perhaps, of gentle reproof in those words. 'l'he Lord had said again and again that he would rise again the third day; his disciples should have remembered his words; they should not have been thus hopeless and despairing; they should have looked forward, despite the agonies of the cross, d.,spite the sealing of the tomb, to the glory of the Resurrection. That prophecy was now fulfilled; they might see the empty tomb: "Come, see the place where the Lord lay." They entered into the sepulchre, St. Mark tells us; they saw that the Lord was gone. The angel sent them. to bear the great Easter tidings to the apostles. The apostles had not shown the: courage, the e.ffectionate devotion, of these holy women. St. John alone had stood- beside the cross; no apostle, as far as we are told, had witnessed the burial. Th& women, too, were the first to visit the sepulchre; their devotion was rewarded; they first heard the glad tidings; they had the privilege of bearing the blessed news to the apustles,· who were to 'l,e the witnesses of the Lord's resurrection and to preach his glorious gospel throughout the world. Holy women have often been the means of bringing to the faith of Christ those who have afterwards laboured most abundantly in the Saviour's cause. The angel repeated his charge: "Lo, I have told you;'' he said. They might not doubt; they had heard the great truth from an angel's lips. IL THE RISEN L0BD. I. The women on their u·ay. 'l'hey went at once, they ran.. Their hearts were filled with mingled feelings. '!'here was fear,-they could not look upon that form, bright as the lightuing-fiash, without something of dread; but ther& was a great joy which overcame their fear. The Lord was risen. The thought was too great for them; it thrilled their hearts with &trange, unwonted throbbings, But they went as they were bidden ; and as they went a holier than an angel's voice feU upon their ears. The Lord manifests himself to those who work for him, who in obedience and faith carry to others the blesetld. story of hie cross and hie resurrection. 2. Tl<t: ,,-.eeting with the Lord. Jestll! met them on their way, Suddenly, in • oa. :u.vm, 1-20.] THE GOSPEL .ACCORDING TO ST. M.!TTilEW. 643