Jesus: After the cross (v2)

What is reported to us from after the death of Jesus?

First thing: Brave Joseph of Arimathea (secret disciple, as John* tells it) had been given permission to place Jesus' remains in an unused tomb without delay, which he did. All of the Gospels tell us of the new tomb.

In addition, we learn that 

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how his body was placed (Luke 23:55, CSB). The women had been witnesses to the execution; amongst those witnesses was Mary, Jesus' mother (see John chapter 19). At least, at the last, we see that the disciple John was also there, beside Mary. (He must have returned.)

The Galilean followers could hope until Jesus' last breath. Then the needs changed. They were not prepared for a burial. What a relief to see what the man from Arimathea, and Nicodemus, did. Those prominent men thus became ceremonially unclean, with consequences to them. (The alternative to a burial was the dumping of Jesus' body in the usual manner, perhaps after exhibiting it.)  

However, did the women feel the hasty burial procedure was insufficient? Not what they wanted for their Jesus in this last act?  Not the usual (washing and anointing)? There was opportunity for planning, especially if the women were staying in the one place. (Their situation reminds me of the brave civilian resisters during the 1939-1945 war.)

We read:

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.

Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared (Luke 23:55-24:1, NRSVUE). Women from Galilee, I wonder how and where they did the spice preparation - the same room used for the "Last Supper"?  Mark compresses it differently: After the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James bought some spices to put on Jesus' body (Mark 16:1, CEV). (Matthew and John did not write of those spices organised by the women.)

They went to the tomb (taking their spices). Did Jesus' mother go with them?  (- possible, but I doubt it.) They were quite prepared, as usual, to be made ceremonially unclean by attending the corpse.

It was very early in the day when the women got busy.

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb (Matthew 28:1, ESV). Though their accounts are not identical, the four Gospels describe very early activity ("crack of dawn"). I take it as multiple actions at the earliest possible moment. They expected to find a decaying dead body, a substantial closed tomb, and a guard. They were carrying their grief. If, as I think, their actions were very irregular, that would make their tension greater. As they went they troubled over the question of access. Did they hope for helpful soldiers?

Their problem was solved. Matthew tells us how

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 (Matthew 28:2, NIV). Rolled back. Why? To let people in. An empty tomb could be open. There was no odour of decay to enclose.

From that point there is variation in what the Gospels report of events.  The quiet, orderly, cautious approach of the early dawn was gone for good! The group of women were fearful; they must have come with trepidation, and then they saw that the tomb was open.

Mark puts it this way: but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,[a] who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body (Mark 16:6, NLT). What a truth to grasp and accept! What a weird situation. Never was there a day like this day. Never! I guess they (some of the women?) accepted the invitation to look. They could take in the evidence of their eyes.

Jesus' human remains were gone from the tomb.

Jesus of Nazareth is risen! Risen?

How easy was it to take that news to the men?

Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them (Luke 24:10-11; NRSVUE). Jesus risen from the dead? How could men compute that? The response sounds hurtful to the women. I suppose they were used to it, even amongst the friends of Jesus.

On this unpredictable day, John* recounts a separate roles for Mary Magdalene, and for Peter, with "another".

So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”(John 20:2, CSB). Mary by running risked drawing attention and raising eyebrows. Had these two heard the other women? What was the order of these events? Probably Mary's was one more report to increase their confusion and fear.

I think a prompt response by Peter to Mary's news would be no surprise. What of the other disciples (men; women)? Was there a nod of agreement for Peter to go - no point in them all braving the authorities on the basis of a report from a few females. (The likely response was to suspect more "foul play".) I notice that Mary Magdalene associated herself with the other women witnesses - "we don't know" she said. Her words here reflect the account of the other Gospels.

Now there was a need for male haste, surely. Empty tomb? Risen Jesus? That had to be sorted, and quickly. No time to waste..

They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in. (Perhaps Mary followed them, more slowly?)

Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying (John 20:6-10, CSB). The two understood - something. They lacked understanding of their Bible. So did the others. They did not know what to make of the evidence of their eyes and the talk of the women. (John gives us more of Mary Magdalene's story, but I am not including that here.) 

I wonder what the men thought of the women's conversations with the now risen Jesus? (Matthew and John have separate reports.) There was more from that Jerusalem morning.... but I am leaving that aside for now.

Unexpectedly, but still on that day, Luke shifts the focus to the roadside leading away from 

Jerusalem. Perhaps he knew what the other Gospels had reported, so he included this unique material.

Two men, Cleopas and another, are on a journey of about 11 km, more of a journey than they knew:

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”

And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?”

And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” (Luke 24:13-24, ESV).

These two started the day under terrible disappointment. Their powerful prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, had been condemned to death; their hopes for Israel to be set free had been dashed. These two spoke of the loss to their community, their nation. Without a resurrection they would have precious memories and perhaps a deeper understanding of God's ways. Perhaps they did not share the inner group's closeness with Jesus as a friend? (However, as we read on - see below - we find the two, or Cleopas, were well known.)

As they went along the road they were talking to a visitor - that was true. But not to an uninformed stranger! They had no idea, nor expectation, that they could talk to the Living Christ. Their eyes were kept - for then - from identifying their Lord and Saviour. Even though the tomb scene had been verified by the men, apparently these, if not all of them, discounted the literal truth of what the women said they had heard and seen. In the two men's final words there seems to be a (discounted) suggestion that some women had claimed to see Jesus, himself. (That accords with Matthew and John.)

Probably other disillusioned and grieving disciples had gone in other directions that day, eg, to Jericho or Bethany? If so they had a little longer to wait for the news. No way to know. These two were about to be enlightened in detail, and right then! I suppose Jesus deliberately joined them.

He (Jesus) said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

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

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread (Luke 24:25-35, NIV). Eyes may be opened. Theirs were, at the point of the familiar handing over after giving thanks for the bread. Things could make sense, once Jesus was recognised. (These two were not recorded present in the new memorial meal Jesus instituted during his final Passover observance.) 

Simon's report had been accepted by "the Eleven", and possibly others. The word of one man counted where the women's did not. The women had done just as Jesus asked, but was that accepted?

With the arrival of Cleopas, and companion, the assembled followers (doubtless men and women) had male accounts that agreed. It is true!

The description (above) from Jesus' conversation with the two men indicates how Jesus expects his followers to take the Bible seriously. We know we can, and should, ask God's Spirit for illumination. It is sad to be foolish or slow to believe the plain words of the prophets (Scripture).

The women must have already been able to say, "I told you so". Here, late in the day, was a further endorsement of the women. But that day was not yet ended...

While Jesus' disciples were talking about what had happened, Jesus appeared and greeted them. They were frightened and terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost.
But Jesus said, “Why are you so frightened? Why do you doubt? Look at my hands and my feet and see who I am! Touch me and find out for yourselves. Ghosts don't have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

After Jesus said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. The disciples were so glad and amazed that they could not believe it. Jesus then asked them, “Do you have something to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish. He took it and ate it as they watched. (Luke 24:36-43, CEV).

Talking together was good. Jesus, with a sound body (flesh and bones)!? Filled with joy and wonder and held in doubt - how could this be? The Jesus they knew they knew. Somehow his old person was incorporated and transformed in this risen Saviour. This risen Jesus left his borrowed tomb. This risen Saviour can meet with followers without them recognising the man in front of them. This risen Jesus is able to be touched, able to eat! This risen Saviour can display his wounds and invite contact. This risen Jesus is suddenly and inexplicably in the room amongst them. This risen Saviour may disappear. All beyond comprehension. That must have been a time of unimaginable mental turmoil. The well known "fact", that "dead is dead is dead", had to be qualified! And, again the stress on heeding what God says. A rough idea, or feeling, or cultural understanding, is not enough. Personal (prayerful) attention is necessary.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah[a] is[b] to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses[c] of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:44-49, NRSVUE).

With minds changed, Jesus' followers had a task (a task that was implied in their Bible). It was not about Rome, or politics, or the chief priests. It is about hearts being changed and God's forgiveness being experienced. God's power would be needed for the task - and was promised. Surely Jesus is ready to open minds where the minds are willing.

Luke went on in a couple of lines to summarise the next short while. He wrote a second book, which starts in this way:

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1, NRSVUE) So wrote Luke in the second part of his record. From that point he wanted to convey what Jesus continued to do and teach. What he continued to do and teach after he had died on the cross. His first book we know as the Gospel of Luke, or the Gospel according to Luke. The second book is known simply as Acts, or The Acts, or The Acts of the Apostles (which is a little broad!). It is a remarkable tale, but of course, like all histories, selective; Luke recounted key events and decisions. 

On that day, Paul, aka Saul, was an enemy; the story is in Acts. Paul had never expected it to be so, but later he was able to sum up what had happened in Jerusalem at that time and why everything had become different, including himself.

for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God (Romans 4:24-25, NLT). Because of our sins. Make us right with God.

Note again that final line: He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. "Our"; "us". I hope you are able for yourself to change the plural into the singular: He was handed over to die because of my sins, and he was raised to life to make me right with God.

That was exactly what Jesus said: It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent’ (Luke 24:47, NLT). 

Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words! (2 Corinthians 9:15, CEV)

God bless you!

Allen Hampton 

*A footnote re John, on whom I have depended above: I have lately been reminded that much (most) of academia thinks John's Gospel does not count. John obviously has a different approach to Matthew, Mark and Luke and does not align simply in chronology with them. (Then again alignment is not complete or easy between Matthew, Mark, and Luke!) Discarding (the bluntly challenging) John becomes a simple and convenient "solution" easily adopted for a complex issue. So is the "yes, that was then; but, this is now" approach. As indicated above, whilst depending on all four Gospels, I recognise there are puzzling aspects, to which I may return.

(v2) I added detail on the women from Galilee and their spice preparation.

PS Late discovery of incorrect reference re John 20:6-10. (Also changed version to one I prefer more re wrappings - reason to come.) 

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