• Arabic Corner
• Audio
• Bible Study
• Coptic Reader
• Children's Corner
• Deacons
• Evangelism & Apologetics
• Evangelism Pamphlets
• Interesting Facts
• Literature
• Pigori Productions
• Priests Corner
• Questions & Answers
• Reading Recommended
• Saintly Studies
• Servants Guide
• Sunday School Curriculum
• Sunday School Curriculum-Special Needs
• Youth Corner

Come, see

Keraza Magazine issue 17-18 May 1, 2015

St. Matthew mentioned in his narrative of the Resurrection: "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb" (Matthew 28:1), and he mentioned that the angel addressed them saying, "Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 28:6). The Gospel according to St. Mark says, "And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid... when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away... And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side... ...And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe" (Mark 15:47; 16:4, 5, 11). The Gospel according to St. Luke mentions: "And the women... followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid... But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves" (Luke 23:55; 24:12). As for St. John, he wrote, "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb" (John 20:1), "And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there... Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed" (John 20:5-8), "And as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white... Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing" (John 20:11-14).

As for the story of raising Lazarus, when Jesus asked, "'Where have you laid him?' They said to Him, 'Lord, come and see.'" (John 11:34).

It is not in vain that the words observe and see are repeated so often in the story of the resurrection. If the angel encouraged the two Maries and ordered them to "come, see," this means that we are all required to follow this command to see. Actually, seeing is equivalent to illumination of the mind with a truth or revelation. Seeing means a person enters a new level of knowledge and revelation. Perhaps the difference between observe and see, is that the second points more to vision i.e. revelation.

It is clear from the preceding verses that one's illumination concerning the truth of the Resurrection does not come all at once, but very gradually. This reminds us of the saying of St. Isaac the Syrian concerning the levels of knowledge: "Faith is loftier than knowledge, just as knowledge is loftier than perceptible matters."¹

1. The Maries went to see the tomb before the resurrection = the first level of illumination, which is accepting the truth of the death and burial with the Lord Christ.
   
   
2. The Maries, Peter, and John saw material objects: the empty tomb, the stone, and the linen cloths = sensate tangible evidence that stimulate mental awareness of the truth of the Resurrection.
   
   
3. Seeing the angel = divine revelation beyond reason that indicates a beginning to enter into spiritual awareness based on faith.
   
   
4. She saw Jesus = the last inevitable step, the utmost spiritual illumination which crowns the gradation through the previous steps which benefit nothing if they do not lead to seeing the risen Jesus and uniting with Him.

As the angel called all humanity, exemplified in the two Maries, to see Jesus' empty tomb as mental tangible evidence of the Resurrection, likewise humanity called the Lord Christ to "Come and see," the tomb of Lazarus that is filled with her corruption. It is an exchanged look between God and humanity. He sees her stinky tomb as proof of her corruption, and she sees His empty tomb as proof of His holiness and incorruptibility. He sees her death, and she sees His resurrection. He sees what is ours and takes it to Himself, to grant us to see what is His to become ours. Truly, glory be to You, O Lord!

Bishop Youssef
Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

---

Reference:
¹ Cf. Miller, Dana, trans. The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian. Boston: Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 1984. 257.