Sometimes reality is more than we can handle. I am sure those who went to the tomb early on the first day of the week expected something ordinary. They had all experienced death and its aftermath. Unlike our sterile handling of death, cleanly, neatly hidden behind a professional, they experienced death with its smells and ugliness. No antibiotics to starve infant sickness and death.
Appendicitis surgery saved my life at age 13. And while they were cutting me open and probing, they found another fatal abnormality; my intestines were folding in on themselves like an accordion. So they fixed that as well. I am alive!
My father had open heart surgery, insulin for his diabetes, pills for his high blood pressure. Those miracles kept him alive and going for years.
Those who approached the tomb had experienced many deaths, premature deaths in their lifetimes. Infant and maternal death was common, very common. Childhood illness and accident often led to death. And if they reached age 40 they were considered old.
So they knew what to expect when they approached that hole in the side of the hill. Stone in place, body cold and stiff, a smell of sweat and flesh decomposing, liquids pooling in a low spot close to the body.
But it is empty! Nothing there but the cloth hastily placed as they rushed to place his body before the Sabbath prayers began. The cloth is there, even the head wrap is folded separately. But death escaped! The tomb is empty confirming the truth of His word, “I will rise again.” Unordinary changed the course of history. Has that unordinary event changed your outlook today?
The Arnold Journey 