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The Resurrection of Christ, Part 2
The Disciples Hear the Good News
Early in the morning of the first day of the week, before it was
yet light, holy women came to the sepulcher, bringing sweet spices to anoint
the body of Jesus. They found that the heavy stone had been rolled away from
the door of the sepulcher, and the body of Jesus was not there. Their hearts
sank within them, and they feared that their enemies had taken away the body.
Suddenly they beheld two angels in white apparel, their faces bright and
shining. These heavenly beings understood the errand of the women and
immediately told them that Jesus was not there; He had risen, but they could
behold the place where He had lain. They bade them go and tell His disciples
that He would go before them into Galilee. With fear and great joy the women
hurried back to the sorrowing disciples and told them the things which they had
seen and heard. {EW 186.1}
The disciples could not believe that Christ had risen, but, with
the women who had brought the report, ran hastily to the sepulcher. They found
that Jesus was not there; they saw His linen clothes, but could not believe the
good news that He had risen from the dead. They returned home marveling at what
{187} they had
seen, also at the report brought them by the women. But Mary chose to linger
around the sepulcher, thinking of what she had seen, and distressed with the thought
that she might have been deceived. She felt that new trials awaited her. Her
grief was renewed, and she broke forth in bitter weeping. She stooped down to
look again into the sepulcher, and beheld two angels clothed in white. One was
sitting where the head of Jesus had lain, the other where His feet had been.
They spoke to her tenderly, and asked her why she wept. She replied, “Because
they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” John 20:13. {EW
186.2}
As she turned from the sepulcher, she saw Jesus standing near,
but knew Him not. He spoke to her tenderly, inquiring the cause of her sorrow
and asking whom she was seeking. Supposing that He was the gardener, she begged
Him, if He had borne away her Lord, to tell her where he had laid Him, that she
might take Him away. Jesus spoke to her with His own heavenly voice, saying,
“Mary!” She was acquainted with the tones of that dear voice, and quickly
answered, “Master!” and in her joy was about to embrace Him; but Jesus said, “Do
not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My
brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to
My God and your God.’ ” John 20:17. Joyfully she
hastened to the disciples with the good news. Jesus quickly ascended to His
Father to hear from His lips that He accepted the sacrifice, and to receive all
power in heaven and upon earth. {EW
187.1}
Angels like a cloud surrounded the Son of God and bade the
everlasting gates be lifted up, that the King of glory might come in. I saw
that while Jesus was with that bright heavenly host, in the presence of God,
and surrounded by His glory, He did not {188} forget His disciples upon the
earth, but received power from His Father, that He might return and impart power
to them. The same day He returned and showed Himself to His disciples. He
suffered them then to touch Him; for He had ascended to His Father and had
received power. {EW 187.2}
At this time Thomas was not present. He would not humbly receive
the report of the disciples, but firmly and self-confidently affirmed that he
would not believe unless he should put his fingers in the prints of the nails
and his hand in the side where the cruel spear was thrust. In this he showed a
lack of confidence in his brethren. If all should require the same evidence,
none would now receive Jesus and believe in His resurrection. But it was the
will of God that the report of the disciples should be received by those who
could not themselves see and hear the risen Saviour. God was not pleased with
the unbelief of Thomas. When Jesus again met with His disciples, Thomas was
with them; and when he beheld Jesus, he believed. But he had declared that he
would not be satisfied without the evidence of feeling added to sight, and Jesus
gave him the evidence which he had desired. Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my
God!” But Jesus reproved him for his unbelief, saying, “Thomas, because you
have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet
have believed.” John 20:28-29. . . . {EW 188.1}
While the holy women were carrying the report that Jesus had
risen, the Roman guard were circulating the lie that had been put into their
mouths by the chief priests and elders, that the disciples came by night, while
they slept, and stole the body of Jesus. Satan had put this lie into the hearts
and mouths of the chief priests, and the people stood ready to receive their
word. But God had made this matter sure, and placed this important event, upon
which our salvation depends, beyond all doubt; and it was impossible for
priests and elders to cover it up. Witnesses were raised from the dead to
testify to Christ’s resurrection. {EW 189.1}
The Forty Days After the Resurrection
Jesus remained with His disciples forty days, causing them joy
and gladness of heart as He opened to them more fully the realities of the
kingdom of God. He commissioned them to bear testimony to the things which they
had seen and heard concerning His sufferings, death, and resurrection, that He
had made a sacrifice for sin, and that all who would might come unto Him and
find life. With faithful tenderness He told them that they would be persecuted
and distressed; but they would find relief in recalling their experience and
remembering the words which He had spoken to them. He told them that He had
overcome the temptations of Satan and obtained the victory through trials and
suffering. Satan could have no more power over Him, but would bring his
temptations to bear more directly upon them and upon all who should believe in
His name. But they could overcome as He had overcome. Jesus endowed His
disciples with power to work miracles, and told them that although they should
be persecuted by wicked men, He would from time to time send His angels to
deliver them; their {190} lives
could not be taken until their mission should be accomplished; then they might
be required to seal with their blood the testimonies which they had borne. {EW 189.2}
His anxious followers gladly listened to His teachings, eagerly
feasting upon every word which fell from His holy lips. Now they certainly knew
that He was the Saviour of the world. His words sank deep into their hearts,
and they sorrowed that they must soon be parted from their heavenly Teacher and
no longer hear comforting, gracious words from His lips. But again their hearts
were warmed with love and exceeding joy, as Jesus told them that He would go
and prepare mansions for them and come again and receive them, that they might
be ever with Him. He promised also to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to
guide them into all truth. “And He lifted up His hands and blessed them.” Luke 24:50. {EW
190.1}
Early Writings, pp. 181-190.
Next part: The Ascension of Christ
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