The Angels at the Tomb

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:2-7

Don't you wish you knew more about these angels? I've studied angels before, and wrote about them at Christmas time, but I'm talking about these specific angels.

Like the angels who were privileged to tell the shepherds that Jesus was born, and join in chorus, making worship music like never heard before or since - these angels were chosen for the most important task imaginable - to share that Jesus was alive. Again!

Let's go into my imagination again. (It's a scary place to be sometimes, but I like it there!) Let's imagine two angels, sitting in the tomb. Let's pretend they are Gabriel and Michael, since we know their names already. They appear in the tomb, waiting for Mary and the other women.

Can you sense their excitement? They are heavenly creatures, but maybe they are antsy, eagerly anticipating the women. Maybe they are pacing, or if they are sitting, maybe they are bouncing their legs up and down.

I hear them talking to each other. "I want to talk first!" "No, I'm going to. Father already told us what to say, and who was going to say it." The first angel grins. "I know. I'm just excited!"

Maybe their excitement is tempered with the knowledge of all that their Savior had been through in the last few days. They know how he had gone into Hades, preaching to the souls there, how he had seen and heard potentially horrible, blasphemous venom. They know the sin he endured on the cross, the price he paid for this moment.

They also know the glory of the price paid. That now redemption is possible for all. That Jews and Gentiles all over the world can join in this glorious freedom song. That God's plan, now fulfilled, had always been plan A, and was now richly and miraculously fulfilled.

It might seem weird to include angels that we don't know and can't name and can't describe as an important part of Easter. But they are. They delivered the best news. They regenerated the movement of Christianity. They confirmed hope, love and joy.

I can't wait to meet them someday. How about you?