The strange thing is that the first witnesses of Christ’s resurrection were not men, but women. The disciples had closed their rooms for fear of the Jews. But the women overcame all their fears out of their love for Christ, and sacrificed a great part of their money to ornament Christ’s tomb furnishing it with flowers and perfumes, and anointing it with spices and ointments. Now very early in the morning they brought spices, perfumes, flowers, clothes, and bands, and came together in a large number to the tomb, which had been sealed with a large circular stone.
The women were perplexed how they could roll away the large stone from the door of the tomb, which was also sealed by the government. Their love prompted them, in spite of all hardships, to render the last service of love to the dear one who was asleep. Yet, as they arrived they were greatly astonished, for the tomb was opened, and the large stone was rolled away. Then they became confused, and wondered how he was not left in peace even in his death: "Did they do anything to his body? Did they steal it?"
They were not afraid of entering the opened tomb while they were angrily displeased. But they saw with great surprise that the tomb was empty. His graveclothes were folded neatly and placed beside the tomb in a very good order. But the body was not there, for Christ had sneaked away from them passing through the rocks silently as he later appeared to his disciples in the closed rooms passing through the walls.
No one saw Christ’s resurrection, but the angels did. No human being witnessed this event at all. Therefore the Lord calls all his followers to believe boldly in the miracle of his resurrection, for seeing comes after, and not before, believing. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.