The Peep of Day

by Favell Lee Mortimer

One morning very early, when Jesus had been dead only two days, the poor women came into the garden. It was not quite light yet, for the sun was just rising.

As the women walked along with their ointment they said to each other, How shall we get into the grave? The men put a large stone before it; the stone is so big, we cannot roll it away. The women did not know what to do.

At last they came to the grave, but the stone was rolled away. The women were quite surprised. Then they were afraid some wicked people had rolled it away, and stolen the body of Jesus. This made them very sad; they looked into the grave, and saw that Jesus was not there. Soon they saw two beautiful angels standing by them. Their faces were bright like the sun, their clothes whiter than snow.

The women trembled when they saw the angels; but the angels spoke sweetly and kindly to them, saying, Do not be afraid; we know that you are looking for Jesus. He is not here now; he is alive. Do you not remember how he said he would come to life again, after he had been crucified?

Come, said the angels, and look at the place where Jesus lay. Run quickly, and tell his disciples that Jesus is alive, and that they shall see him very soon.

The women were very glad indeed; they ran as quickly as they could to tell the disciples. But as they were running, whom do you think they saw? Jesus himself! He did not look as he once had looked; no tears were on his cheeks; they were all wiped away. He was not weak and faint as when he had carried his cross. He never could be sick any more; nor could he ever die again.

How much pleased the women were to see him! They knelt down on the ground, and held his feet that he might not go away, and they called him their Lord and their God. Yet still they felt a little afraid; but Jesus told them not to be afraid. Jesus said: Go, tell my brothers that I shall soon see them again.

Whom did Jesus call his brothers?

His disciples. He had forgiven them for having run away when the wicked men took him.

The poor women ran, as Jesus had told them, to the disciples, and said, We have seen angels; we have seen the Lord Jesus! He is walking about, and you will see him soon. But the disciples would not believe the women.