The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

On the third day after Jesus died and was buried, God raised Him physically from the dead to demonstrate God's power over sin, death, and Hell.

Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Joanna (James’ mother), and some other women brought the spices they had prepared to the tomb. Since the huge stone covering the entrance was rolled out of the way, they walked right in. But when they didn’t find their Master’s body inside, they were confused.

All of a sudden, two men in unusually bright clothing appeared. The awestruck women prostrated themselves before them.

“Why look for the Living One in a tomb? You won’t find Him here. He is alive, raised from the dead! Don’t you remember? He told you back in Galilee that He had to be killed on a cross by evil men and in three days rise.” They did remember, so they left and told the Eleven and everyone else the news. The women kept trying to convince the apostles, but they didn’t believe a word. They thought the women were delusional! Finally, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb. He crouched down and looked in. He saw grave clothes, nothing else. He left perplexed, not sure of what had happened.

Mary went back to the tomb, too. Confused, eyes filled with tears, she had an encounter with someone she thought to be the gardener, but when the man said, “Mary,” she knew it was Jesus. “Teacher!” she cried.

“Now, don’t cling to me. Soon, I will be ascending to the Father. Go tell my brothers this: ‘I am going up to my Father who is your Father, my God who is your God.’”

So Mary told the disciples, “I saw the Master!” and told them everything He said to her.

That same day, two of the disciples walked the seven-mile trip to Emmaus village. As they walked, they were deep in conversation about all the recent tragic events. Jesus came up in the middle of their conversation and walked beside them, but He kept them from recognizing Him.

“What are you talking about so intently as you walk?”

They stopped and just stood there, looking like they had lost their best friend. Then one of the two, Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one who hasn’t heard what’s been going on around here lately?”

“What has happened?”

“Jesus the Nazarene was a prophet from God. He did and said amazing things because God blessed Him. All the people loved Him! But our high priests and leaders betrayed Him, sentenced Him to death, and crucified Him. We had hoped He was the Messiah and would deliver Israel. This is the third day since they killed Him, and now we are really confused! Some of our women went to the tomb this morning and couldn't find His body. They returned with a story about angels who said Jesus was alive. Others went to verify their story and found the tomb empty, as the women said, but—no Jesus.”

Jesus responded, “Can’t you see? Can’t you understand? Can’t you believe the prophets? Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer and be glorified?” Then He explained everything the Scriptures taught about His life and ministry, starting with Moses’ books (at the beginning!) and going through the Prophets’ books (the end of God’s revealed word at that time).

Arriving at the entrance to Emmaus, Jesus acted as if He was going on to the next town. The friends objected.

“Stay, eat with us. It’s late; daylight is gone.” So He went in and sat down at the table with them. He took the bread, blessed, broke, and gave it to them. That’s when they recognized Him! But as soon as they saw Him, they saw Him no more—He disappeared.

Then, the two of them couldn’t stop talking. “Wasn’t that amazing?” “My heart was burning when He revealed the meaning of the Scriptures.” “Mine, too . . .” They hurried back to Jerusalem to tell the others.