09. Observe the Circumstances

Observe the Circumstances

Observe the circumstances. Who must go? Here is a commission and command. And to whom? To the disciples of Christ. And when doth Christ bid her go? When he was risen, and in the first estate of glory. What is the message? ’Tell my brethren I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God.’ It is worth your considering a little.

1. Who is sent? A woman. A woman to be the apostle of apostles, to be the teacher of the great teachers in the world. Mary Magdalene was sent to instruct the apostles in the great articles of Christ’s resurrection and ascension to heaven. By a woman death came into the world, and by a woman life was preached to the apostles; because indeed she was more affectionate, and affection taketh all. And that makes that sex more addicted to religion, by the advantage of their affection; for religion is merely a matter of affection. Though it must have judgment shine before it, yet it is specially in the heart and affections. And she had shewed a great deal of affection. She stood out when the rest went away, John 19:25. She was constant, and broke through all difficulties; and then God honoured her to be the first preacher of his resurrection.

God’s course is to trust secrets in earthen vessels, that earthen vessels should carry heavenly treasure; and therefore stick not at the vessel, but look to the treasure, 2Co 4:7. A woman may teach the greatest apostle. Look not to the man, but to the message. Elias will not refuse the meat because the raven brought it, 1Ki 17:4. And a condemned man will not refuse a pardon, because a mean man bringeth it. Take off pride in spiritual respects. When God honours any man to bring news of reconciliation, stoop to him, of what condition soever he be.

2. To whom must she go? ’Go, tell my brethren,’ the apostles. Go to the apostles, that are disconsolate men, now orphans, deprived of their Master and Lord. Disconsolate men, and not in vain, so not without cause; for they had reason to be discomforted, not only for their want of Christ, but for their own ill carriage towards Christ. One of them denieth him, and the rest forsake him; and yet ’my brethren,’ ’go tell my brethren.’

3. When did he speak this? After his resurrection, in the state of glory; in the beginning of it, and when he is ascending to heaven; and yet he owneth them as brethren, though such brethren as had dealt most un-brotherly with him.