Why Weren’t The Disciples At The Tomb?

Everyone knew what he said. He had said it in private. He had said it publicly. It had become common knowledge.

Jesus never attempted to hide what he came to do. Remember how he would heal people and then say, “Don’t tell anyone?” Resurrection was nothing like this. He openly spoke about it.

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40

Jesus openly proclaimed that he would die, and then three days later he would rise. Even those who didn’t believe in him knew he had said this. After his crucifixion we find this encounter.

“The next day, ...the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64

These are words spoken to Pilate by the religious leaders who didn’t believe in Christ. Everyone knew that Jesus said he would rise again. So where were the disciples when he rose? Where were the women who had followed him so closely? Wouldn’t you expect to find them waiting at the tomb? It seems like they would all show up Saturday night with camping chairs. Why aren’t they hanging out watching the stone? When you know something is going to take place you get ready for it. 

Yet, the first tomb visitors came to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, not to celebrate resurrection. When they discovered an empty tomb there were no shouts of, “Hallelujah! He’s alive!” Rather they asked where his body had been moved. How did this happen?

I believe the blow of the cross had shaken them to their core. Life has a way of doing this. Of jolting us so severely that we end up saying and acting in a way that doesn’t reconcile with what we know to be true. We can know what the Bible says about healing, restoration, provision, and more, yet still find ourselves cowering in fear like the disciples. The good news is that even though the disciples didn’t come to see Jesus rise, Jesus still went to see the disciples.

“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you’!” John 20:19

As we celebrate the resurrection it’s my prayer for Jesus to show up in your life as well. Even if the events of your life have rattled you, and shaken your faith. When he does, receive his peace. He’s never left you nor forsaken you.

He’s alive!

Following the Son,

James A Williams