Mary Magdelene was tired, and walked behind Peter and John. She sat down to rest and remembered the Rabbi's face that day that He had cured her of her madness. She had no idea what He had done; he was a wise Rabbi and these men were acquainted with many sources of knowledge. They said she had been possessed by demons; she couldn't remember anything more than His face that day; its kindness and grace as He touched her cheek and gently felt her face. He touched her not like some lecherous brute or with the condescension so often shown by other men toward women, but with respect, and courtesy. He had won her heart with that simple touch, and later, as she heard His message of obedience to God, she grew sorry for the wasteful life she had lived, of a rich man's spoiled daughter. She realized the pain she had caused her servants, of the wrong she had caused with her adulterous affairs, and her greedy dealings with the city merchants. Later when she saw Him again at Simon of Magdala's house, she bought ointment and sat at His feet. With her tears she washed his dust-covered feet, and dried them with her hair. She loved him so-her hair was no matter. Then she poured oil on His feet, and anointed them. She followed his family and disciples everywhere they went from that day on, and she saw and heard so many wonderful things. Then, last Friday, the Pharisee came and took Him in the middle of the night and killed Him. She watched Him die in agony, bleeding from his arms and feet, barely able to breathe. And now, they have stolen His body as well. Her grief flowed again in tears down her face. Or did they steal His body?
Suddenly, she realized she had not yet gone all the way in. Maybe Joseph had moved the body, or someone else had come to prepare it too? She got up and walked quickly to the tomb, and she could not help but cry the whole way. What had happened to that great man was simply unfair. As she entered, she saw two men sitting one at each end of the bench His body had laid on, and for some reason she was reminded of the descriptions she had heard of the Ark of the Covenant.
"Woman, why do you cry," an angel said.
"Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." So she was wrong, His body was gone, and she wept even more. She turned to go, and another man came into the tomb.
"Woman, why do you cry so?"
Who was this, the gardener? Turning from him, she said, "Sir, if you have taken my Lord's body, tell me where He is laid and I will get him myself."
"Mary," He said, in that same gentle voice she had heard that day long ago.
"Rabboni!" It was Him! She turned and grabbed him and hugged Him close to her. He began to pull away, but she would not let Him go.
"Mary, don't cling to me. I must still return to the Father. I must go to Him, to your Father and my father."
She stepped back in amazement, her face glowing with joy. The men on the bench were angels! This was all true! It was too good to believe!
"Go Mary, and tell the others of this good news. I wish to speak with my Mother, and the others too." He stepped away from her, patted her shoulder and walked toward the path to the city gate. When she emerged from the tomb, He was gone. She ran down the fastest path she knew; the others must hear this!
As she charged into the house, she saw the mournful group had begun to eat breakfast. She cried out, "I have seen the Rabbi! I have seen the Rabbi! He is alive!"
Thomas looked at her and spat out, "It seems that her sorrow has brought the demons back into her mind." And they all turned away from her and resumed what they were doing.
Mother Mary was confused. What was the meaning of those angels? Could her son truly be alive?
"Rejoice!" said a young man in front of her group. She stepped around the other women to see who it was-it WAS HIM! Her son was alive!
"Dear son! Dear son!" she wept. Then the other women recognized Him also, and they all wept and kissed Him and worshipped Him.
Jesus kissed His Mother and said to her, "Go to the other disciples and tell them this good news. I will meet them all in Galilee, so go there and I will see you all again."
Then He was gone, He simply vanished, and Mary wept as they all made their way back to the house to tell the other disciples. When they got there, they saw Mary Magdalene arguing with them, and Mary Mother of Jesus took the eleven remaining apostles and told them quietly, "My son is alive. I saw Him just a while ago. Mary of Magdala tells the truth. We are to go to Galilee to see Him again as a whole group." She saw the disbelief in their eyes.
Thomas, gently took her hand. "Mother, it is not unusual for a mother in grief at the loss of her son to imagine seeing him or some ghost."
Mother Mary yanked her hand away, "Thomas I will not be patronized! He is alive! I saw Him myself!" She looked around at their disbelieving stares, "We will set out for Galilee in the morning!"
Claudius the Centurian led his men into the outer Temple courtyard and looked around. The place was crowded with men, animals for sacrfice, money changers, women, and, worst of all, children. He stared at the chaos and then led the men on into a small chamber that was outside another, deeper room. He commanded them to wait for him outside as he went into the innermost chamber, and there he saw them-the secret leaders of the Sanhedren. Every council has its power men and its naïve fools. These men Claudis was meeting were the tough minded men for whom power was their only consideration. Who had it and who had the most of it was all that really mattered at the end of the day. And Claudius could respect such men.
"Hail, Claudius!" The older one spoke out.
"Greetings, esteemed Council men." Claudius sneered.
The elder allowed himself a little smile, "Now, Centurian, we needn't be churlish here. We can help each other."
"What help do I need from politicians?"
"Heheh, we are not politicians, in the manner in which you mean, but none-the-less, you ask a good question." He turned quickly and asked, "What happens to guards who fall asleep while on duty in the Emporer's Legion's?"
"No one fell asleep; if they did we would have them executed."
"And might the Officer in charge of the watch not have your head as well?"
"Why would he desire that?"
The elder smiled more, "Jesus of Nazareth claimed he would arise from the dead in three days. So we procured a guard, your guard, to ensure that this did not happen."
"Yes, I have read the report, "Claudius looked around him at these other council members, all watching him intently. "Why does this interest you? My commander readily believes every superstition that comes his way. Why would he not believe that an earthquake caused the tomb to open up and fear put our men into helpless blindness?"
The elder looked at the other councilmen, "Because the exact description was that it was not just an earthquake, but angels were the cause instead."
Claudius took a step back, "How did you know this?"
"We have our sources, Centurian. But that is not important, what IS important is that we come to an understanding; a modification of the report."
"And what 'modification' might that be?" he growled, not accustomed to having these barbaric Jews leading him by the nose.
"We wont cast doubt on your report's events as described, but you will change it in one minor detail; you say your men fell asleep, no angels! And we will make sure that you and your men go unpunished."
Claudius rubbed his chin and thought it through. "Deal," he said and offered his hand in agreement.
The elder pulled away, "I cannot touch hands that have held leavened bread till the feast of the Passover is over."
Claudius stood straight, "It is of no consequence, I want some cash up front now, however."
"Certainly, Centurian, and we will see to it that your superiors do not question you on this matter at all."
Luke looked at Cleopas, "It is not possible for a man to raise himself from the dead! I have heard of those thought dead suddenly coming alive, I am a physician, but not of this kind. With his wounds and the size of the stone, he could not have rolled it away himself and overpowered a Roman guard!"
Cleopas retorted, "But then what did the women see?"
Luke was about to answer, when a stranger asked them, "What has you young men so animated this early in the morning?"
Luke spoke up, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened, and certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive."
The stranger asked, "Then do you believe these women?"
Cleopus snorted, "Ah! Women, they think more with their hearts than their heads!"
The stranger sighed, "Did not this Nazarene tell you that this man was to die at the hands of the Romans?"
Luke and Cleopas both nodded in unison, and when they noticed each other they stopped immediately.
The stranger continued, "Did he not show you the twenty-second Psalm that speaks of the Messiahs feet and hands being pierced..."
A few miles later, the stranger continued to instruct them, and young Luke and Cleopus were amazed.
"And so, you see how the Suffering Servant died for the sins of the people?"
"Yes."
"And so, on what better day than the very exact same day that Moses had the ancient Israelites sacrifice their lambs and put the blood upon their door frames, so that the Angel of Death might pass them by? This Rabbi of yours, he was the Final Paschal Lamb, sacrificed once and for all eternity, as were the lambs of captive Isreal."
"What is your name sir? We must have seen you in the disciple's assembly..."
"Ah, it is no matter, though actually I am very hungry. Can we go into your home and eat?"
Cleopas spoke up, "Of course, here follow me."
They entered the house and the servants washed the mens feet as they reclined to eat the prepared meal. The stranger took the wine and poured them each a cup, and then he took the bread, and suddenly they realized who He was...why had they not recognized Him before?
"Rabbi!" and they bowed before him.
When they looked up, He was gone.
Without hesitation, they both jumped up and ran to Jerusalem, and to the house that they had last eaten with the Rabbi.
Luke ran upstairs to the Apostles and told them in hurried breath, "We saw the Rabbi!"
But still, the Apostles could not believe what they were hearing. Thomas exclaimed, "I cannot bear this any longer!" and he stormed from the house.
"Bolt the doors and shutter the windows!" Peter instructed, he felt confused about all the stories he was hearing, and wanted to make certain that the wrong ears did not hear what they discussed as they tried to make sense of it all.
As they sat discussing these confusing events, the Rabbi suddenly appeared among them, "Peace be unto you!"
The Apostles were frightened, how did He get inside? Only a spirit can pass through walls and locked doors. What manner of apparition is this?
"Why are you troubled? And wherefore do these questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you behold me having." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet and his side. And they were all amazed and worshipped him.
And after this day, Thomas got to witness the resurrected Rabbi as did the other Apostles, and he worshipped what he had denied so heartily only a week before. Peter had his dark secret forgiven by the Rabbi, and, as he had denied Him three times, the Rabbi prompted Peter to affirm his devotion and love three times as well, and Peter forgave himself for his own treachery.
All these simple men were reborn that day, and fed on dozens of other appearances by Him, in the sight of hundreds more witnesses. Beginning with Pentecost, the Apostles were spiritually lit on fire to spread the good news of Jesus' teachings, of the message that we are all Gods children, and we can all be forgiven our sins. And for this message, all the Apostles died violent and gruesome deaths, sealing the veracity of what they saw with their own blood. All of them were executed except for John who died in exile.
Today that flame continues to spread, and it has grown to over two billion members.
Suddenly, she realized she had not yet gone all the way in. Maybe Joseph had moved the body, or someone else had come to prepare it too? She got up and walked quickly to the tomb, and she could not help but cry the whole way. What had happened to that great man was simply unfair. As she entered, she saw two men sitting one at each end of the bench His body had laid on, and for some reason she was reminded of the descriptions she had heard of the Ark of the Covenant.
"Woman, why do you cry," an angel said.
"Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him." So she was wrong, His body was gone, and she wept even more. She turned to go, and another man came into the tomb.
"Woman, why do you cry so?"
Who was this, the gardener? Turning from him, she said, "Sir, if you have taken my Lord's body, tell me where He is laid and I will get him myself."
"Mary," He said, in that same gentle voice she had heard that day long ago.
"Rabboni!" It was Him! She turned and grabbed him and hugged Him close to her. He began to pull away, but she would not let Him go.
"Mary, don't cling to me. I must still return to the Father. I must go to Him, to your Father and my father."
She stepped back in amazement, her face glowing with joy. The men on the bench were angels! This was all true! It was too good to believe!
"Go Mary, and tell the others of this good news. I wish to speak with my Mother, and the others too." He stepped away from her, patted her shoulder and walked toward the path to the city gate. When she emerged from the tomb, He was gone. She ran down the fastest path she knew; the others must hear this!
As she charged into the house, she saw the mournful group had begun to eat breakfast. She cried out, "I have seen the Rabbi! I have seen the Rabbi! He is alive!"
Thomas looked at her and spat out, "It seems that her sorrow has brought the demons back into her mind." And they all turned away from her and resumed what they were doing.
Mother Mary was confused. What was the meaning of those angels? Could her son truly be alive?
"Rejoice!" said a young man in front of her group. She stepped around the other women to see who it was-it WAS HIM! Her son was alive!
"Dear son! Dear son!" she wept. Then the other women recognized Him also, and they all wept and kissed Him and worshipped Him.
Jesus kissed His Mother and said to her, "Go to the other disciples and tell them this good news. I will meet them all in Galilee, so go there and I will see you all again."
Then He was gone, He simply vanished, and Mary wept as they all made their way back to the house to tell the other disciples. When they got there, they saw Mary Magdalene arguing with them, and Mary Mother of Jesus took the eleven remaining apostles and told them quietly, "My son is alive. I saw Him just a while ago. Mary of Magdala tells the truth. We are to go to Galilee to see Him again as a whole group." She saw the disbelief in their eyes.
Thomas, gently took her hand. "Mother, it is not unusual for a mother in grief at the loss of her son to imagine seeing him or some ghost."
Mother Mary yanked her hand away, "Thomas I will not be patronized! He is alive! I saw Him myself!" She looked around at their disbelieving stares, "We will set out for Galilee in the morning!"
Claudius the Centurian led his men into the outer Temple courtyard and looked around. The place was crowded with men, animals for sacrfice, money changers, women, and, worst of all, children. He stared at the chaos and then led the men on into a small chamber that was outside another, deeper room. He commanded them to wait for him outside as he went into the innermost chamber, and there he saw them-the secret leaders of the Sanhedren. Every council has its power men and its naïve fools. These men Claudis was meeting were the tough minded men for whom power was their only consideration. Who had it and who had the most of it was all that really mattered at the end of the day. And Claudius could respect such men.
"Hail, Claudius!" The older one spoke out.
"Greetings, esteemed Council men." Claudius sneered.
The elder allowed himself a little smile, "Now, Centurian, we needn't be churlish here. We can help each other."
"What help do I need from politicians?"
"Heheh, we are not politicians, in the manner in which you mean, but none-the-less, you ask a good question." He turned quickly and asked, "What happens to guards who fall asleep while on duty in the Emporer's Legion's?"
"No one fell asleep; if they did we would have them executed."
"And might the Officer in charge of the watch not have your head as well?"
"Why would he desire that?"
The elder smiled more, "Jesus of Nazareth claimed he would arise from the dead in three days. So we procured a guard, your guard, to ensure that this did not happen."
"Yes, I have read the report, "Claudius looked around him at these other council members, all watching him intently. "Why does this interest you? My commander readily believes every superstition that comes his way. Why would he not believe that an earthquake caused the tomb to open up and fear put our men into helpless blindness?"
The elder looked at the other councilmen, "Because the exact description was that it was not just an earthquake, but angels were the cause instead."
Claudius took a step back, "How did you know this?"
"We have our sources, Centurian. But that is not important, what IS important is that we come to an understanding; a modification of the report."
"And what 'modification' might that be?" he growled, not accustomed to having these barbaric Jews leading him by the nose.
"We wont cast doubt on your report's events as described, but you will change it in one minor detail; you say your men fell asleep, no angels! And we will make sure that you and your men go unpunished."
Claudius rubbed his chin and thought it through. "Deal," he said and offered his hand in agreement.
The elder pulled away, "I cannot touch hands that have held leavened bread till the feast of the Passover is over."
Claudius stood straight, "It is of no consequence, I want some cash up front now, however."
"Certainly, Centurian, and we will see to it that your superiors do not question you on this matter at all."
Luke looked at Cleopas, "It is not possible for a man to raise himself from the dead! I have heard of those thought dead suddenly coming alive, I am a physician, but not of this kind. With his wounds and the size of the stone, he could not have rolled it away himself and overpowered a Roman guard!"
Cleopas retorted, "But then what did the women see?"
Luke was about to answer, when a stranger asked them, "What has you young men so animated this early in the morning?"
Luke spoke up, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened, and certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive."
The stranger asked, "Then do you believe these women?"
Cleopus snorted, "Ah! Women, they think more with their hearts than their heads!"
The stranger sighed, "Did not this Nazarene tell you that this man was to die at the hands of the Romans?"
Luke and Cleopas both nodded in unison, and when they noticed each other they stopped immediately.
The stranger continued, "Did he not show you the twenty-second Psalm that speaks of the Messiahs feet and hands being pierced..."
A few miles later, the stranger continued to instruct them, and young Luke and Cleopus were amazed.
"And so, you see how the Suffering Servant died for the sins of the people?"
"Yes."
"And so, on what better day than the very exact same day that Moses had the ancient Israelites sacrifice their lambs and put the blood upon their door frames, so that the Angel of Death might pass them by? This Rabbi of yours, he was the Final Paschal Lamb, sacrificed once and for all eternity, as were the lambs of captive Isreal."
"What is your name sir? We must have seen you in the disciple's assembly..."
"Ah, it is no matter, though actually I am very hungry. Can we go into your home and eat?"
Cleopas spoke up, "Of course, here follow me."
They entered the house and the servants washed the mens feet as they reclined to eat the prepared meal. The stranger took the wine and poured them each a cup, and then he took the bread, and suddenly they realized who He was...why had they not recognized Him before?
"Rabbi!" and they bowed before him.
When they looked up, He was gone.
Without hesitation, they both jumped up and ran to Jerusalem, and to the house that they had last eaten with the Rabbi.
Luke ran upstairs to the Apostles and told them in hurried breath, "We saw the Rabbi!"
But still, the Apostles could not believe what they were hearing. Thomas exclaimed, "I cannot bear this any longer!" and he stormed from the house.
"Bolt the doors and shutter the windows!" Peter instructed, he felt confused about all the stories he was hearing, and wanted to make certain that the wrong ears did not hear what they discussed as they tried to make sense of it all.
As they sat discussing these confusing events, the Rabbi suddenly appeared among them, "Peace be unto you!"
The Apostles were frightened, how did He get inside? Only a spirit can pass through walls and locked doors. What manner of apparition is this?
"Why are you troubled? And wherefore do these questionings arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you behold me having." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet and his side. And they were all amazed and worshipped him.
And after this day, Thomas got to witness the resurrected Rabbi as did the other Apostles, and he worshipped what he had denied so heartily only a week before. Peter had his dark secret forgiven by the Rabbi, and, as he had denied Him three times, the Rabbi prompted Peter to affirm his devotion and love three times as well, and Peter forgave himself for his own treachery.
All these simple men were reborn that day, and fed on dozens of other appearances by Him, in the sight of hundreds more witnesses. Beginning with Pentecost, the Apostles were spiritually lit on fire to spread the good news of Jesus' teachings, of the message that we are all Gods children, and we can all be forgiven our sins. And for this message, all the Apostles died violent and gruesome deaths, sealing the veracity of what they saw with their own blood. All of them were executed except for John who died in exile.
Today that flame continues to spread, and it has grown to over two billion members.
