Who is Jesus? Chapter 53 “He is Risen as He Said”

 

Who is Jesus? Chapter 53 “He is Risen as He Said”

Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome, came bringing spices to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the large stone had been rolled back.

For behold, there was a great earthquake, and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.  And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words. The angel told them, Now go quickly and tell his disciples, and Peter, that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

The women then fled from the tomb with trembling and astonishment but also with great joy as they ran to tell his eleven disciples and all the rest.

While they were going, behold, some of the guards from the tomb went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place.  And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, and these words seemed to them idle tales, and they did not believe them.

But Peter and John rose up and ran to the tomb; Both of them were running together, but John outran Peter and reached the tomb first. Stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

Then John who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went to their homes marveling at what had happened.

But Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.   At once she saw two angels in dazzling apparel, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, who had been with him, as they mourned and wept.  “I have seen the Lord”— and that he had said these things to her. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.

And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

You might wonder why Jesus did not allow Mary to touch him, but in a short while the disciples took hold of his feet and worshiped him? Jesus explained to Mary that he must first ascend to His Father and present his blood that was shed for you and for me before the mercy seat in heaven.

It was important to meet with His Father and announce to heaven that he had accomplished all that was needed for salvation. That being done he could return in his resurrected body to reveal himself to his apostles and they could then touch him.

Jesus is calling today, for us to understand all that He has done is so that you might have eternal life now - - and when your time on earth is over, you can live forever with Him in heaven.

Let's be honest, there are only two places to go once you die and leave this earth. One place you certainly do NOT want to go, because it is reserved for the devil and his angels.

Heaven is the other place, and there is only ONE WAY to make sure heaven is your final home, and that is by inviting Jesus into your heart and into your life.

If you have not done so, today is the perfect day to just that. 

Tell Jesus that you believe He is the Son of God, that you believe He died on the cross for your salvation, then tell him you believe He rose from the dead and invite him to come into your heart and into your life. Tell Jesus that you will serve him and HIM only all the days of your life. 

 Now if you do not have a church home, begin next Lord's day to visit a good Bible preaching church in your local city and commit to attend regularly and get involved in their Bible Study, prayer and fellowship groups.