Just after sunrise, on the first day of the week, three days after Jesus Christ was hung on a cross to die, those who cried for their loss just had to go and see the place which held his body, the tomb enclosed by a huge stone. Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome were on their way to the tomb, worrying. "Who will roll away the stone," they fretted. "We haven't the strength!"
But when they got there, the stone had been rolled away! "What the..?" they gasped. A young man wearing a white robe, sat on the side of the tomb and the women drew back in fear.
The man told them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus the Nazarine who was crucified. He has risen! See the place where they laid him? He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
Trembling and bewildered, the women fled from the tomb. But Mary Magdalene went on to those who had been mourning and weeping through the night, Jesus disciples. But they did not believe her.
Jesus also appeared to two men who were walking in the country. They immediately returned and reported it, also, to the disciples. Again, they did not believe the story.
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw strips of linen lying by themselves not near the grave-clothes. He wondered, "What could have happened here?" Yet, he went away.
All had disbelieved, and wondered. They assembled together in Galilee to fish, questioning, doubting, emptied of any remembrance of the miracles so typical of Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus himself stood among them, saying "Peace be with you!" No one yet spoke.
Jesus continued, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet," Jesus said, and he thrust his hands forward, and lifted his feet. "It is I, myself! Touch me and see!"
Although they still had not fully believed, they were full of joy and amazement, each thinking, "How can this be?"
Next He asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of broiled fish. He ate it in their presence.
Later, Jesus appeared to the Disciples in Jerusalem. He opened their minds so they could understand the various Scriptures in the very early testimonies that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
He went on to say, "Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in My name to all nations."
And continuing, "I am going to send you out into the world, but you will begin in Jerusalem. Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on High! "
When He had finished, He lifted up his hands and blessed them, the Twelve amazed as they were waiting for their beloved leader to fish once again with them. Instead, Jesus was taken up to Heaven.
This is not just a story, but it is a blessing, also, for me and for you. Jesus was not just the beloved leader of the twelve disciples, but He is the beloved leader of thousands, no, millions of people just like you and me, and millions more not like us at all, except that we all love Jesus Christ. And why not? He died for each and every one of us, those in the past, the present and those yet to come.
Praise you Lord God!
Happy Easter to all,
Jo of MN saying, Although each writer of the Gospels had a slightly different view of Jesus' last day, I hope you get the message that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, did come to earth, was crucified, died, was buried in a tomb, and revealed himself to both men and women before He went to the Father.
He was and is and always will be our Glorious Savior. AMEN
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