PART XIII

THE RESURRECTION, APPEARANCES AND ASCENSION OF JESUS

FORTY DAYS - PROBABLY APRIL 9 TO MAY 18, A.D. 30

173 The Earthquake, the Rolling Away of the Stone at the Tomb, and the Terror of the Guard

Jerusalem, Sunday, April 9, before dawn.

Matt 28:2-4

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightening, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

174 Arriving at the Tomb Early Sunday Morning, Mary Magdalene Sees That the Stone has Been Removed From the Entrance, and She Hurries Away to Peter and John, Reporting a Grave Robbery

Jerusalem, Sunday, April 9, before dawn.

Matt 28:1, John 20:1-2

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed front the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the Other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

175 The Other Women Arrive At the Tomb, and After Receiving an Angelic Message of Christ's Resurrection, They Depart quickly to Report the Good news to his Disciples

Jerusalem. early Sunday Morning, April 9

Matt 28:5-8, Mark 16:2-8, Luke 24:1-8

1 On the very first day of the week, very early in the morning, just after sunrise, the women took the spices they had prepared wand went on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked watch other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, (Jn3b) they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Do not be afraid, (Mk6b) you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. Why did you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember who he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"

Come and see the place where they laid him. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: and Peter, 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' Now I have told you."

8 Then they remembered his words. 8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and (Mt 8b) hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

176 Meanwhile, Peter and John (Leaving Mary Magdalene to Follow) Run to the Tomb to Verify Her Grave Robbery Report, and They Depart From the Empty Tomb Bewildered.

Jerusalem: Sunday morning, April 9.

Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. the cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from the scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, wondering what had happened.

177 When Mary Magdalene Reaches the Tomb Soon After the Departure of Peter and John, Jesus Appears to Her.

Jerusalem. Sunday morning, April 9

Mark 16:9, John 20:11-17

11 But Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, "Woman why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

16 Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God an your God.'"

178 While the Other Woman Are on Their Way to Tell the Disciples About the Angel's Message of Christ's Resurrection, He Appears to those Women Also.

Near Jerusalem. Sunday morning, April 9.

Jerusalem or Bethany. Sunday morning, April 9.

Mark 16:10-11, Luke 24:9-11, John 20:18

9 When they came back from the tomb, 18 Mary of Magdala went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he said these things to her, (Lk9b)

they told all these things to the eleven and to all the others, (Mk10b) who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. (Jn10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

180 Some of the Guards Report to the Sanhedrin, Who Bribe Them to Spread a False Story

Jerusalem. Sunday Morning, April 9.

Matt. 28:11-15

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Judeans to this very day.

181 Jesus appears to Cleopas and His Companion on the Way to Emmaus

Sunday Afternoon, April 9.

Mark 16:12, Luke 24:13-32

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened, 156 As they talked and discussed these things with each other , Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one living in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened there in these days?"

19 "what things?' he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our woman amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 But didn't find his body. they came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."

25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer those things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with is, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

182 Returning to Jerusalem to Report to the Disciples, Cleopas and His Companion are Informed That Christ Has Appeared to Peter

Sunday evening, April 9

Mark 16:13, Luke 24:33-35

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There the found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two hold what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

183 Jesus Appears to the disciples While Thomas is Absent, and Gives Them a Commission - They failed to Convince Thomas

Jerusalem, Sunday evening, April 9

Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-25

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were (Lk 36b) still talking about this, (Jn 19b) with the doors locked for fear of the Judeans, Jesus (Lk 36b) himself stood among them (Mk14b) as they were eating; and said to them, "Peace be with you ." 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." 40 When he said this, (Mk36b) he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and feet, and side. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. (Jn20b) The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 if you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 When the other disciples told him that they had seen the Lord, he declared, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

184 A Week Later, Jesus Appears Again to His Disciples, with Thomas Present, and He is Convinced That Jesus is Alive.

Jerusalem, Sunday, April 16.

John 20:26-29

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here: see my hands. Reach out you hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

185 Jesus Appears to Seven of His Disciples at the Sea of Galilee, And After a Miraculous Catch of Fish, Peter is Tested

Probably in May

John 21:1-23

1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 "I'm going out to fish." Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, "Friends have you caught any fish?"

"No," they answered.

6 He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fish of burning coals there with a fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them. and did the same with the fish. 14 This was the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raise from the dead.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you?"

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord you know all things; you know that I know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you did not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciples whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and he had said, "Lord who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you ? You must follow me." 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that the disciple would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

186 Jesus and His Eleven Disciples Meet By Appointment at a Mountain in Galilee, and There he Gives Them a great Commission

About he middle of May.

Matt 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain were Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms."

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "That is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 19 Therefore go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."

16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe; in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

187 The Ascension of Jesus

The Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, About May 18

Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53

19 After the Lord Jesus had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand o God. 52 Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple praising God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his work by the signs that accompanied it.