John 20:12–13

The second particular in this Narration, is, her seeing of two Angels in the sepulchre, and their conference with her. These appearing in splendent white rayment, do question her concerning the cause of her sorrow, and she returns an account of her case in the same terms, as she had done to the disciples, v. 2. Whence learn, 1. Such is the Lords respect toward affectionate mourners after Christ, as they shall not want needful comfort, albeit Angels should be sent with the message; for, distressed Mary seeth two Angels, sent with an useful message to her. 2. Their appearing in white served to point out their spotlesse purity who are Gods constant attenders, and to hold out what they should aime at, who look to dwell with God for ever, Heb. 12, 14. and what in end they will be, Rev. 7.13. 3. Their posture, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had layen, served not only to confirme that he was not taken away, but had indeed risen, seeing they appear in and at his grave, and so he could not be still dead whom they serve: But further, it pointed out, That it is through Christ alone, and by vertue of his death and sufferings, that God is reconciled to sinners, and they have accesse unto him upon a Mercy-seat: for, therefore do they fit at the head and feet, where the body of Jesus had layen, as the Cherubims, sate upon either end of the Mercy-seat, to evidence what his death and burial had procured unto sinners. 4. The case of such as are indeed seeking Christ, is so sweet and sure, that their heartlesse and dejected sorrow is causelesse (even themselves, when they are in their right wits, being Judges) and worthy of reprehension and challenge; Therefore are they sent with this commission unto her, Woman why weepest thou? which is a speech full of comfort, intimating that she had no cause to weep, yet seasoned with a reproofe that she should weep so heartlessely; and her selfe is put to judge (when she is in a right frame) of the truth and justnesse of this challenge. And indeed, it is but our low stature who cannot see a far off, which is the great cause of our anxiety; whereas their question imports, that were she elevate as they were, to see the truth of the matter, she would not be diffidently anxious. 5. The want of Christ is matter of sorrow indeed to a lover of him. The sorrow and joy of an affectionate Saint are chiefly taken up about the enjoying or wanting of Christ; and when he is away (either really, or to their sense) they will not easily be convinced of any excesse in sorrow and anxiety: for, she justifieth her challenged weeping from this, Because they have taken away my Lord, as pleading that she could not sorrow enough, or too much, because of this. 6. Unbelief and mistakes, once taking place in an affectionate heart, are not easily rooted out; and do prove real obstructions, hindring the minde from adverting to any thing which might cure them: for, albeit, since she first vented this her mistake to Peter and John, v. 2. she had met with much which might have cleared her, (as her repeated sight of the empty grave with Peter and John, and her sight of Angels there, and her reproofe from them,) Yet she heeds none of these, but persists in her apprehension, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 7. Whatever be the mistakes of Saints concerning Christ, through ignorance and unbeliefe; yet it is a blessed sense of absence of Christ, and of the continuance thereof, when it causes affection toward him to grow: As here it doth in Mary; Before he was the Lord, now, my Lord.