Chapter 3.
Further First Easter Encounters
With Christ
Mary Magdalene
Returned To the Tomb
Weeping.
After she told Peter and John about the empty tomb, Mary returned to the cemetery, slowly, prayerfully, filled with sadness. She did not meet the exuberant women who had seen Jesus alive, for she walked a different, more secluded path than did they. And as she went, Peter and John raced to the tomb, verified that Jesus’ body was missing, and began walking back to town.
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him.
(John 20:11-13)
Oddly, the angels at the tomb had not revealed themselves to Peter and John. They honored the Christian women with their presence.
Mary had not trusted the angels’ messages earlier that morning. She was still fixated on her primary concern, “Where is Jesus?”
Mary Encountered
the Risen Lord.
Inexplicably, she sensed a Presence outside the tomb. She backed out, turned slightly, and through her misty eyes beheld a man. She did not know it was Jesus. She supposed He was the gardener of the cemetery grounds. “Perhaps,” she thought, “He can help.”
In His glorified, Resurrected body, Jesus could materialize wherever He chose to be. He had come to bolster Mary’s faith. When she heard Him say her name, she knew it was Jesus. She faced Him and greeted Him with great emotion.
... when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
(John 20:14-16)
Jesus was dazzling in His Resurrected body. Filled with awe, Mary knelt and worshiped Him. She clasped His feet, just as the other women had done earlier. She had found Her Lord. She would not let go. But, Jesus had an appointment to keep. He was about to ascend into Heaven to present Himself to the Father as the Ultimate and Final Sacrifice for the forgiveness of believers’ sins.
Jesus gave Mary a message to relay to His followers. Then, He excused Himself. He had met with her to relieve her fears and increase her faith, but it was time for Him to go to the Father. The King James Version of this verse seems far too harsh. It has Jesus saying, “Don’t touch me,” but truly, Jesus meant, “I’m sorry Mary, but I must be going. Don’t hold me back.” And, when she released her grip, suddenly, He vanished.
With renewed vitality and a spring in her step, Mary hastened back to Jerusalem.
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the LORD, and that he had spoken these things unto her. (John 20:18)
Jesus Ascended
To the Father.
Jesus went to Heaven the first Easter morning to inaugurate a New Covenant between God and mankind. In doing so, he abolished the Old Covenant. Both covenants were designed to reconcile sinful and rebellious men and women to God, the infinitely holy Creator of the Universe. God wants to have an intimate relationship with us, but He cannot tolerate sin-laden souls. He set up each of these covenants to give men and women a way to erase their sins and draw close to Him.
The Old Covenant was a precursor to the New Covenant.
Once a year, under the Old Covenant, the High Priest of Israel would take the blood of animals that had been offered as sin-sacrifices into the Inner Sanctum of the Temple and sprinkle the blood on the Ark of the Covenant and other furnishings of that small room. The room was known as the “Holy of Holies”. Just as the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of each Christian today, in the days of the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit dwelt in that innermost room. Only the High Priesst was allowed to enter that sacred place, and he, just once a year on the annual Day of Atonement. The sin-sacrifices and the sprinklings of blood won the forgiveness of the sins of the past year for believing adherents to the Old Jewish Covenant.
Today, the New Covenant defines the relationship between God and mankind. It is much more expansive than the Old. Its Temple is not a man-made structure in Jerusalem. It is the much more impressive Temple in Heaven. Its “Holy of Holies” is not a small, Inner Sanctum in the Temple on Earth. It is the very throne room of God. Its High Priest is not a mere man. No, the High Priest of the New Covenant is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. And, the High Priest of the New Covenant does not need to offer atoning sin-sacrifices annually. Jesus Himself was the Sacrifice Victim of the New Covenant. He died on Mount Calvary, and His Sacrifice was so Perfect that it need not ever be repeated.
... when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things to come ... He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands ... He went once for all into the Holy Place [the Holy of Holies of heaven, into the presence of God] ... Hebrews (9:11-12a)
And, under the Old Covenant, the blood that was shed to procure the forgiveness of the sins of believers was the blood of bulls and goats and lambs. But, under the New Covenant, the blood shed to wash away the sins of believers was the infinitely superior blood of God’s Only Begotten Son, Jesus. So Christ, our High Priest, procured our salvation ...
... not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, having obtained and secured eternal redemption [that is, the salvation of all who personally believe in Him as Savior]. For if the sprinkling of [ceremonially] defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a [burnt] heifer is sufficient for the cleansing of the body, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God? (Hebrews 9:12b-14)
So it was, on the first Easter morning, that Jesus ascended into Heaven as the High Priest of His followers to present Himself and His Sin-Sacrifice to the Father and to activate the New Covenant.
For this reason He is the Mediator and Negotiator of a new covenant [that is, an entirely new agreement uniting God and man], so that those who have been called [by God] may receive [the fulfillment of] the promised eternal inheritance ... (Hebrews 9:15a AMP)
In reference to this “new agreement uniting God and man”, we call the last 27 books of the Bible the New Testament. They codify the dimensions of the New Covenant.
Christ Appeared To Peter.
In 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, the Apostle Paul lists some of those who saw Jesus after His Resurrection. He doesn’t give details, but he does indicate that before Jesus appeared to the full Apostolic team, He appeared to Peter. Where? When? And, what was said? are not specified. Paul writes ...
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)
“Cephas” was Aramaic for “Peter”, the name Jesus gave to Simon early in His ministry. Aramaic was a slang version of Hebrew, incorporating words and expressions from Arabic and the languages of Ethiopia, Babylon and Assyria. It facilitated commerce between the peoples of the Middle East. Jesus spoke Aramaic.
Jesus Appeared
To 2 Disciples
As They Walked To Emmaus.
Early in the afternoon of the first Easter, Cleopas and another disciple decided to return to their home in Emmaus. Jerusalem was chaotic. Citizens were still dealing with problems caused by the early morning earthquake. Believers continued to celebrate the resurrections of many of their fellow saints. Thousands of Jews from near and far filled the streets of the city as they participated in the religious services of the “Feast of Unleavened Bread”. And, the agents of the chief priests were still probing every nook and cranny of Jerusalem, looking for the body of Jesus. But, the road to Emmaus was quiet and peaceful.
Who was Cleopas with? His wife? brother? mother? sister? father? friend? son? or daughter? We don’t know. But, he or she was a believer. As the pair hiked the 7 and 1/2 mile journey, they shared their vivid impressions of that memorable day. Luke says ...
... behold, two of them [the disciples of Christ] went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. (Luke 24:13-16)
Jesus Asked,
“Why Are You Sad?”
Luke says ...
... he [Jesus] said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? (Luke 24:17)
Cleopas Asked,
“Haven’t
You Heard?”
“Didn’t you talk to anyone in Jerusalem? The whole city is on edge.” Luke adds ...
... the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
(Luke 24:18)
Jesus Asked,
“What
Happened?”
Luke says ...
... he [Jesus] said unto them, What things?
(Luke 24:19a)
The 2 Disciples
Expressed Their Dismay.
The disciples spoke only of Jesus. They did not mention the early morning earthquake, the resurrection of the saints, or the intense search for Jesus’ body.
... they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel ... (Luke 24:19b-21a)
The Disciples Said,
“This Is the Third Day ...”
The disciples affirmed ...
... beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (Luke 24:21b)
We explained this sentence in the prior chapter, but since it is not well understood among today’s believers, the explanation is repeated here. The early Christians were a close-knit group. They eagerly shared their faith with one another. They knew Jesus was Crucified on Wednesday afternoon, and that He was removed from the Cross just before sundown. And because of their conversations with Joseph, Nicodemus and the women who watched the men bury Jesus, they knew His burial was not completed until Jewish Thursday was well underway. The stone was rolled to the door of Christ’s tomb as the skies darkened, an hour or 2 after the setting of the sun marked the beginning of the Jew’s Thursday. And, they knew that Pilate’s crew did not seal the tomb until the daylight hours of Thursday morning. So, Cleopas and the other early Christians regarded Thursday as the day when the Crucifixion process, the death and burial of Jesus, was “done”. Thus, Cleopas said, “Today is the third day since these things were done.”
Cleopas Said,
“Now, the Tomb Is Empty!”
Cleopas knew Jesus’ tomb was empty, but he must have gotten some information about what had happened that morning second-hand. He did not know that the women had spent time in the tomb with 2 angels and that, later, some of the women had actually seen Jesus alive! He said ...
Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. (Luke 24:22-24)
With Indignation, Jesus Asked,
“Why Don’t You Believe the Bible?”
When Christians don’t believe what the Bible teaches, it’s because they have not bothered to study it. This irritates Jesus! He unloaded His anger ...
... he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24?25-26)
Cleopas and his companion must have felt convicted by Jesus’ words. What about you? What about me? Have we been “slow” to study and believe “all that the prophets have spoken”?
Jesus Cited Scriptures
That Foretold
His Crucifixion And Resurrection.
Surely, this was one of the most important sermons ever spoken by Jesus. And, only 2 believers heard it. All of us who love Jesus would like to have a copy of His message. And, in a way we do. For sure, Cleopas and his companion shared Christ’s message with the other early Christians. And, certainly, the Holy Spirit helped them remember what Jesus said that afternoon. So, the gist of Christ’s message is sprinkled throughout the writings in the New Testament.
... beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he [Jesus] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)
The 2 Disciples
Invited Jesus To Supper
And To Stay Overnight.
As Jesus completed His sermon ...
... they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. (Luke 24:28-29)
Jesus Revealed Himself,
And Then, Vanished.
During the 40 days following His Resurrection, Jesus appeared to believers in many venues. After brief encounters with them, He would vanish. His Resurrected body was quite different from the body He had worn during the years before His death. He looked more regal. He sounded more authoritative.
... it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew
him; and he vanished out of their sight.
(Luke 24:30-31)
Awestruck,
the Emmaus Disciples
Hurried Back To Jerusalem.
As Jesus broke the loaf of unleavened bread and gave it to the disciples to eat, their eyes were opened. This was a re-enactment of what He had done during the “Last Supper”, when He had said, “Take. Eat. This is My body which is broken for you.” Even today, when we partake of the bread during a Communion Service, we should sense the presence of the Lord. They did ...
... they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem ... (Luke 24:32-33a)
In Jerusalem,
the Believers Told One Another
About Their Encounters With Jesus.
The Emmaus disciples ...
... found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them ... (Luke 24:33b)
All the Apostles were there when they arrived, including Thomas. The doors of the room where they were assembled were latched, because the agents of the Jewish authorities were still searching the city for the body of Jesus. Before the Emmaus disciples shared their exciting news, the others told them that Jesus had appeared to Peter ...
Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. (Luke 24:34)
Rejoicing in this good news ...
... they [the Emmaus disciples] told what things were done in the way [to Emmaus], and how he [Jesus] was known of them in breaking of bread. (Like 24:35)
Probably, some of the ladies who were in the group that first met the Resurrected Jesus spoke of their impressions of the Risen Lord. And, Mary Magdalene recounted her meeting with Jesus at the tomb. A worshipful spirit of awe united the believers.
As sundown approached, some of the disciples departed. Perhaps, they went to be with friends and family members who were celebrating the “Feast of Unleavened Bread”. Notably, the Apostle Thomas departed. He was skeptical of the testimonies he had heard. “If Jesus is alive,” he thought, “where is He? Why isn’t He with us?”
Suddenly,
Jesus Materialized
In Their Midst!
It was eerie! Surprising! Using the amazing powers of His glorified body, without entering the room or moving into their midst, Jesus stood among them. He was dazzling in appearance, and His voice was impressive. John says ...
... the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)
And, Luke states ...
... as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (Luke 24:36)
Jesus attempted to ameliorate the shock of His abrupt appearance, saying, “Peace be unto you.”
The Disciples Were Stunned
By Jesus’ Majestic Presence.
This appearance of Jesus was dramatically dissimilar from those that had transpired earlier in the day. The ladies who first saw the Risen Lord had sunk to their knees in awe and had clasped His feet. In a moment, He was gone. Mary Magdalene had seen Jesus through tear-filled eyes. She, too, clasped Him, but He had excused Himself and moved on. We don’t know how long Peter’s encounter with Christ lasted. It, too, was probably brief. And, the Emmaus disciples had seen Jesus for just a moment before He vanished. This appearance lasted much longer than its predecessors.
Jesus’ form was beyond beautiful! It was other-worldly! The Bible says angels have countenances “like lightning” and robes “white as snow”. And, the Risen Lord is far greater than the angels. His appearance was so supernatural that it triggered emotions of fear. In the Scriptures, when a mortal meets an angel, often, the first words out of the angel’s mouth are, “Fear not!” Jesus, too, tried to quell the fears of the disciples. Luke says ...
... they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:37-38)
When we think of the grandeur of the Risen Lord, we are staggered by the teaching of the Apostle John, “when Christ appears [at the Rapture and calls us into Heaven], we shall be like him.” (1 John 3:3) What a glorious future awaits us!
The Risen Lord Proved
He Was the Crucified Jesus.
Though Jesus was a handsome, athletic, and well-spoken Man, His Resurrected Form was infinitely superior. The difference baffled the disciples, so Jesus offered proof that He was indeed the Risen Lord. He said,
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. (Luke 24:39-40)
And, John states ...
... when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side ... (John 20:20a)
Even so, it all seemed too wonderful to be true. For days, the believers had mourned His demise. Now, He was here and more glorious than ever before.
Jesus Showed
He Was Not a Ghost
By Eating Food.
Because He was so other-worldly and he had popped up in their midst without opening the door to the room, some thought He was a ghost. They had trouble believing that His body was corporeal. To disprove this notion, Jesus ingested a piece of fish and a chunk of honeycomb.
... while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. (Luke 24:41-43)
Jesus Outlined the Work
Of the New Testament Church.
Having proved to the disciples that He was indeed the Risen Lord, Jesus began to form the New Testament Church. After He indicated He wants believers to live in peace, He said, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” The Church was to take the Gospel to the world. To do this, these early Christians would need the power of the Holy Ghost, so Jesus gave them a measure of it. The full presence of the Holy Ghost in every saved soul arrived on the forthcoming “Day of Pentecost”. Then, Jesus highlighted the seriousness of the Church’s work. He indicated that if Christians win a man to saving faith, that man has his sins remitted. That man is headed for Heaven. But, if Christians are unable to persuade a man to embrace saving faith, that man’s sins are not remitted. This places great responsibility on those of us who are part of the New Testament Church. If we don’t reach a lost soul, that soul will go to Hell.
Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. (John 20:20b-23)