But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, (12) And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13) And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? she saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. (14) And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
There is somewhat particularly interesting in this short account of Mary still waiting at the sepulchre. So attached was she to the Person of Jesus, that, though she had no hopes of ever seeing him again, and convinced that he was not there, yet still she waits in silence, weeping with great sorrow, and still looking in, not knowing how to leave the sacred spot. And is it not so with waiting souls now when they miss Jesus where before they have found him; and though ordinances, and hearing the word preached, or reading it themselves in dark seasons, do not bring such sweet views of Christ as in times past; yet can they not go away from the means, but will be sending forth the anxious enquiry like the spouse of old; Saw ye Him whom my soul loveth? Song of Solomon 3:3
It doth not appear that Mary felt any fear at the surprizing sight of those angels in white, which she saw in looking in again to the sepulchre. One might have been led to suppose, that though her grief was great, yet such a supernatural appearance would have alarmed her. Neither did their address, as it should seem, affect her with any concern, for she answered their questions as though they had been men. And when she turned herself about, perhaps at hearing the footsteps of Jesus, and beheld Jesus without knowing him, we do not read of any of that alarm, which at such a place, and upon such an occasion, might have been reasonably expected, No doubt, agreeably to that sweet promise, as thy days, so shall thy strength be; the Lord who was so near her, strengthened her mind with suitable firmness. And so we may conclude the Lord doth by all his people. Many sweet instructions arise out of this short scripture. You see the Lord may be, and, as in this instance, certainly is, very near his redeemed, when they like Mary are very unconscious of his presence. And you observe, that the first discovery of Jesus, as here, must begin on the Lord's side; for otherwise, like her, our eyes will be holden, we shall not know him. And I pray the Reader to observe yet further, that however earnest we are at any time in seeking Jesus, the Lord is still before-hand in seeking us. For it is not only one of the most precious truths of our charter in grace, if we love him, it is because he hath first loved us; but it is a blessed promise of the same divine covenant, that before his people at any time call, he answers. 1 John 4:19; Isaiah 65:24.