“He Is Not Here; He Has Risen, Just as He Said.” the Women Were Invited in to See for Themselves, as if the Words of the Angel Were Not Sufficient. The Grave Could Not Hold Jesus

Matthew 28:5 and 6. And the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; the resurrection of Christ, which is the terror and confusion of his enemies, is the joy and consolation of his friends; it is the foundation of their faith and hope, and the source of their comfort and happiness for all eternity."

For I am aware that you seek the crucified Jesus, that you are devoted to the cause of your late master, and that I have not come to frighten you but to encourage you. The more the angel mentions his crucifixion, the more eager they are to proclaim their devotion to him. As if he had said, "You still seek him, despite the fact that he was crucified; you maintain your regard and affection for him despite this humiliation." Observe, reader, that true believers love and seek Jesus not despite the fact that he was crucified, but because he was treated in this manner.

He is no longer present, having ascended. Those who sought Him would not have been pleased to hear that He is not present if it had not been added that He has risen. Observe, it is a source of consolation for those who seek Christ but fail to find him where they expected, that he is risen, and that by his resurrection a firm foundation is laid for their faith, a foundation on which they are invited to build, however unworthy or however guilty; and to whom, as a living stone, though disallowed by men, all must come who would build for eternity, for no other foundation can be laid.

As he stated, He stated that he would rise, and since he is the very embodiment of truth, it was reasonable to anticipate that he would rise. Why should you then be hesitant to believe what he told you would occur? Reader, let us never be surprised or perplexed by what the word of Christ has raised our anticipation for, whether it relates to the sufferings of this present age or the glory that will be revealed. If we recall what Christ has said to us, we will be less surprised by what he does for us.

This angel, when he said, "He is not here; he is risen," gives the impression that he preaches the same gospel they had already received, because he cites Christ's word as his authority for what he affirms; he is risen, as he said. Come, see where the Lord was buried. Probably after saying this, he stood up, led the women into the tomb, and said, "Come, see the place." This reconciles  John's account (John 20:12), as this is one of the two angels mentioned there.