A day is a long time - in already frightened people experiencing a resurrected Saviour!
The first mentioned reaction on the day Jesus rose* from the dead was on the part of tomb guards.
The first mentioned reaction on the day Jesus rose* from the dead was on the part of tomb guards.
These guards were on duty to prevent any deceitful interference with the remains of the crucified Jesus. To keep people out! They were probably made uneasy by the earthquake but certainly were shaken(!) by "him" - the angel of the Lord who had rolled back the stone and sat on it.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men (Matthew 28:4 NIV).
Did the men hang about? Were they frozen to the spot? Who would ever believe their report? How did it become known that the stone had been rolled by angelic power?
Someone has said, the stone was moved to allow people to go in and see.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men (Matthew 28:4 NIV).
Did the men hang about? Were they frozen to the spot? Who would ever believe their report? How did it become known that the stone had been rolled by angelic power?
Someone has said, the stone was moved to allow people to go in and see.
The angel event happened as the women were approaching (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, Matthew said). Perhaps they heard something before they arrived at the entry? Certainly they were spoken to by the angel. It seems the fear of the guards was catching, for the women were afraid, though not in the same way. Their lives had much to make them fearful - the authorities had taken drastic action against their Jesus. Crowds had bayed for Jesus' blood. Now this.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. Matthew 28:5 (NIV).
The angel's message ended with "Now I have told you.” (NIV). Perhaps he told them he had moved the stone. The guards may by this have fled the scene.
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples (Matthew 28:8 NIV). Their fears and concerns were not all gone, though things had changed! Now they could have joy again.
Finally, in that unforgettable morning, they met Jesus on their way.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me"” Matthew 28:10 (NIV). Again the reassurance that they need not fear what they were experiencing. They were given a special commission - no men were available!
Mark tells us of the experience of Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James, at the open tomb. This Gospel adds that the women were coming to give Jesus' remains burial care. (His account does not easily correlate with Matthew.)
In this account there is no mention of the (futile) guard. The women entered the strangely open tomb, not knowing what to expect. They had come to deal with human remains, certainly not with what they found!
The women went into the tomb, and on the right side they saw a young man in a white robe sitting there. They were alarmed. The man said, “Don't be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was nailed to a cross. God has raised him to life, and he isn't here. You can see the place where they put his body (Mark 16:5-6 CEV). How much reassurance did they gain from those kind words?
The extent of their alarm is made even clearer as we read on, especially in this translation.
When the women ran from the tomb, they were confused and shaking all over. They were too afraid to tell anyone what had happened (Mark 16:8 CEV). They had received a new scare, to add to the tragedy they they had already endured. The incomprehensible and unexpected had come their way that morning.
Mark's brief account seems cut off at this break. From olden times various "endings" have been added to the recognised text. (I am not considering them; those endings are probably to be seen in most English Bibles.)
After these women had their conversation with Jesus himself (see Matthew) things would have been better for them.
After these women had their conversation with Jesus himself (see Matthew) things would have been better for them.
Luke's careful account starts differently - at the crucifixion.
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and 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 (Luke 23:55-56 ESV). Here we hear of some observant women, named a few lines on, who made very practical plans. They saw, though I wonder how much they knew about the stone.
They arrived at the location and entered the tomb, perplexingly open.
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? And they remembered his words (Luke 24:4-5 ESV). The words that Jesus had spoken came back then to them. If we needed it, here is a clear indication that they had been listening to Jesus, with the men, as he said the things he said about his death.
Their perplexity was changed, even if not entirely resolved. Like the other accounts, they had been alarmed by their encounter with visiting beings (assuming dazzling apparel indicates divine visitors). "Why do you seek?". The question seems odd - how were they to know Jesus was living? Simply by remembering what Jesus had said to them? That was then just beyond their capacities.
How were they feeling as they made their way back, most likely hurrying? Their thoughts must have been very different!
and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened (Luke 24:8-11 ESV).
Mary, Joanna, Mary, and other women - Luke speaks of a larger group of women coming to tell the men the astounding news. They were not believed but would be remembered!
They spoke to the men who could not accept the words of these women. Or was it only the apostles who were blind to this message, and not the rest? The apostles felt that they were hearing imaginings, created out of all the doubts and fears they also shared. How could such thing be possible? Even so, Peter is moved to look for himself. Perhaps he set off, and then John followed his example.
Their perplexity was changed, even if not entirely resolved. Like the other accounts, they had been alarmed by their encounter with visiting beings (assuming dazzling apparel indicates divine visitors). "Why do you seek?". The question seems odd - how were they to know Jesus was living? Simply by remembering what Jesus had said to them? That was then just beyond their capacities.
How were they feeling as they made their way back, most likely hurrying? Their thoughts must have been very different!
and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened (Luke 24:8-11 ESV).
Mary, Joanna, Mary, and other women - Luke speaks of a larger group of women coming to tell the men the astounding news. They were not believed but would be remembered!
They spoke to the men who could not accept the words of these women. Or was it only the apostles who were blind to this message, and not the rest? The apostles felt that they were hearing imaginings, created out of all the doubts and fears they also shared. How could such thing be possible? Even so, Peter is moved to look for himself. Perhaps he set off, and then John followed his example.
Luke moves our focus to two men on their way later out of Jerusalem to Emmaus. Their faces looked sad because they were sad. Everything had gone wrong and their friend and leader and hope had died and been buried. Possibly these two were leaving with an even more profound sense of defeat.
An unknown person (actually Jesus) approached them. 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 (Luke 24:17 ESV).
The report continues with Jesus showing them how what had happened was as to be expected from reading their Bible. And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25-26 ESV). Finally, after accepting their hospitality, Jesus revealed himself to them and vanished from their sight.
Then they recognised what had happened in that strangely exhilarating conversation on the walk.
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32, ESV)
The travellers reversed their journey and went to share their experience with the others, the eleven and those who were with them - doubtless including women. They had a lot to talk about, including Peter's experience.
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:36-38 ESV)
The group were startled, frightened, confused and feeling they could not trust their own senses. The truth of Jesus' resurrection was inevitably so hard to grasp.
How long it take for them to be convinced and to accept the facts?
And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41 ESV)
Their hearts and minds had been transformed. Now joy was dominant, the joy of having a living Christ who would die no more. Resurrected from the dead, but nonetheless a Jesus who could eat with them!
Then they recognised what had happened in that strangely exhilarating conversation on the walk.
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32, ESV)
The travellers reversed their journey and went to share their experience with the others, the eleven and those who were with them - doubtless including women. They had a lot to talk about, including Peter's experience.
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:36-38 ESV)
The group were startled, frightened, confused and feeling they could not trust their own senses. The truth of Jesus' resurrection was inevitably so hard to grasp.
How long it take for them to be convinced and to accept the facts?
And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41 ESV)
Their hearts and minds had been transformed. Now joy was dominant, the joy of having a living Christ who would die no more. Resurrected from the dead, but nonetheless a Jesus who could eat with them!
John starts the report of reactions simply with a racing Mary Magdalene who had seen only the open tomb and needed to do something. The men will have to help!
She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:2 NLT) Note that Mary says "we", even though John does not report them.
At this early stage the obvious question was, where had Jesus' remains been put? They had to find out!
Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead (John 20:8-9 NLT). Two of the apostles had verified the condition of the tomb. With that fact they went back. Now their thinking was different, but incomplete. They at least believed the tomb was empty and that there was no point searching. At that point they did not understand the Scripture.
Then we see Mary Magdalene at the tomb again.
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in (John 20:11 NLT). She saw angels: “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him (v. 13). Mary's great distress was real. "They" had done this final thing to her Lord. And then she met the gardener, who wasn't!
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message. (John 20:16-18 NLT). So Mary had Jesus' commission and for sure she gladly carried it out! How was her report received?
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in (John 20:11 NLT). She saw angels: “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him (v. 13). Mary's great distress was real. "They" had done this final thing to her Lord. And then she met the gardener, who wasn't!
“Mary!” Jesus said.
She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”).
“Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message. (John 20:16-18 NLT). So Mary had Jesus' commission and for sure she gladly carried it out! How was her report received?
The day had not ended.
That Sunday evening[b] the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! (John 20:19-20 NLT) Their fear was only to be expected. Their joy must have come as a great relief on that day of days. How great to be able to end the day that way. I wonder who was there? One was not present, but came in later.
They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side” (John 20:25 NLT). Did he mean he refused to believe, or it was beyond him? How could Thomas just disregard the testimony of his friends? How can anyone just "write off" the evidence of changed lives; of hearts and minds transformed? Would God give Thomas the answer to his weakness? Just a week later, he did, "face to face".
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me” (John 20:29 NLT). Now it is good to know that Thomas did come to believe the truth. However, those words of Jesus did not end there in that room on that day, did they? Jesus had more believing folk in his view, a lot more! Can you see that?
So, in my survey from the Gospels, we have seen personal reactions to the fact of the empty tomb and following. We have not seen any simple resolution to the jumble of the order of events, nor the identification of the individuals. However, in the space of a turbulent day we have seen fear, confusion, incredulity, conviction and joy! Sometimes the same people had all the reactions. We have also seen individual personal interaction with the risen Lord, with a personal Saviour. And we have seen joyful shared experience of Christ the Lord. Do you see a connection to today, to here and now for yourself?
And here is a (trick) question. Who, out of all those people, was rebuked for taking the time they did to come to resolve their incredulity and understand and believe in the risen Jesus? None, except the two on their road home. (Even they were actually treated gently.) So it is, God has only respect for honest inquiry and questioning.
It was a week later that Thomas had his life-changing meeting with Jesus resurrected. What happened during that week? "Life goes on". We are not given hour-by-hour, nor even day-by-day accounts. Both Luke (chapter 1) and John (chapter 21) tell us there was more they knew but were not including. No strict chronology! John, chapter 21 and Acts, chapter 1 present elements . Then there is the below informative report from Paul which confirms that many interactions took place, ending with his encounter, and he had that information.
From Paul: and that he was buried and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.[a] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me (1 Corinthians 15:4-8 NRSVUE). Then look at the teaching Paul gave in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch: And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, (Acts 13:34-38 ESV). Forgiveness through this man, the one who did not see corruption.
Blessed are those who believe without seeing me, Jesus said. People believe without seeing. How? Ask God.
I suggest spending time with others who believe, not to be brow-beaten, but to share. In particular I suggest hearing God through the Bible, and as a beginner, from the parts labelled Luke and Acts and Romans.
May you be blessed by God
Allen Hampton
A reading plan. https://jesussaviour4unme.blogspot.com/2018/06/read-4-u.html
*Rose? The certainty is Jesus' tomb was found empty and encounters followed with the Lord risen. It was a dead body which had been placed in the tomb. Jesus rose to die no more, no return to corruption; he did did not revive, nor were his remains removed by stealth.
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Bible passages courtesy BibleGateway and BlueLetterBible.
Image courtesy Holylandphotos.org
(soldier's weaponry from carved relief at Ephesus. Website has an attributed image of gladiator's tombstone showing typical armed individual.)
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