Early on the first day of the week, when the Sabbath was over, following the crucifixion, some of the women who had ministered to Jesus in Galilee sadly made their way to the tomb of Joseph to anoint the body of their Master.

Usually the bodies of loved ones were anointed at the time of death, but there had been no opportunity for these friends of Jesus thus to honor him. Belatedly, therefore, they went forth to perform this traditional ceremony that meant so much to the Jews.

In their bereavement, the women had overlooked one very practical matter. How could they gain access to the tomb? It was the custom in those days to seal a tomb against intruders by rolling a large circular stone before the entrance. As they neared their destination, the women began to say to one another, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?1

Their concern was needless for looking up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away2. They were greeted with the startling announcement: He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him3.

Recall that Mark probably heard much of the story of Jesus from the lips of Peter. How it must have gladdened Peter's heart to report the announcement of the angel: But go, tell his disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you4 The risen Lord wanted his disciples to hear the good hews, especially Peter.

Doubtless, the shame of his denial still haunted Peter. He wondered whether his Lord would ever forgive him for his inexcusable cowardice. Here was the answer. Of course he was forgiven; and Jesus would see him again in Galilee.

Good news is often as difficult to accept and to comprehend as is bad news. This was certainly the experience of the women at the tomb. They received the announcement from the angel with mixed emotions. Their hearts ! rejoiced at what they heard, but they were at the same time filled with fear and fled from the tomb.