(5) And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. (6) And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. (7) But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (8) And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they anything to any man: for they were afraid.
The Jewish Sepulchres were all made large, not only to admit many bodies being placed by the side of each other; but also for the entrance of the friends, who might indulge the pleasing melancholy of visiting them. I pass over several very interesting circumstances related here, to call the Reader's attention to the tenderness expressed to Peter among the other disciples, in calling him by name. The LORD JESUS well knew how exceedingly the consciousness of having denied CHRIST had operated upon the heart of the Apostle, and therefore he will have the message sent to Peter more particularly by name: Go tell his disciples and Peter! Oh! what grace is in the heart of CHRIST. Had the message been sent to the disciples, only as disciples, Peter might have been tempted to fear, that on account of his shameful conduct, he was no longer a disciple, and as such, not included in it. But being particularly named, how very blessedly he must have felt this renewed attention in his LORD. Reader! do not, dismiss the very gracious testimony, such a view of Jesus brings with it, to the hearts of all the LORD's disciples. We learn most evidently from it, that the LORD's grace is not restrained by our unworthiness; neither is it bestowed for our deservings. CHRIST's love, and not ours, is the only standard for CHRIST's mercy to his people. And I would beg to call the Reader's attention to another most blessed instruction, this conduct of the LORD JESUS holds forth, in the immediate regard he shewed to his disconsolate disciples. The first thing the LORD JESUS had respect to, when he arose from the dead, was to send his Angel to comfort his disciples with the assurance of his love, while he informed them of his resurrection. Go tell my disciples and Peter! Disciples still, and brethren still, for John's relation is to the same amount. John 20:17. So that his Al mighty power, by which he arose from the dead, Romans 1:4. and his altered state made no alteration in his love. He is still the same Jesus, and the same brother as before. Oh! for grace to have this always in remembrance!