Short Article - Nisan 18   Lord Jesus has risen!  A joyful surprise!

As the long and dreadful night was about to pass, Mary Magdalene couldn’t wait to lead the other women quickly toward Jesus’s burial site when it was still dark. They were eager to anoint Jesus’s body for His burial (already buried with Him were their heart and soul). While approaching the tomb, it suddenly occurred to Mary Magdalene to ask, “Who’s going to roll away the two-ton stone from the tomb?” They realized that the disciples wouldn’t be able to help since they did not tag along, and surely neither would the Roman soldiers even if they were still on guard duty.

 

 

How their faithfulness in and love for Jesus were rewarded! Indeed, they arrived at the tomb to find a few Roman soldiers there. But almost at the same instant, an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the tomb stone and sat on it. Heaven’s glory surrounded them. The barely awakened soldiers were petrified and dropped to the ground like dead men. They had awareness and sound mind but found themselves completely immobile. The angel said to the women, within the soldiers’ earshot, “Do not be afraid . . . Jesus is not here; He has risen just as He said. Come and see the place where He laid. Go quickly and tell the disciples.” The women left with both joy and trepidation, still uncertain if Jesus resurrected. Mary ran alone to find Peter and John. All three returned. Peter and John went into the tomb and saw strips of linen as well as Jesus’s head cloth lying there. The disciples returned to where they stayed. The deeply saddened Mary Magdalene was left alone at the tomb entrance, uttering to herself, “Why didn’t they stay and help me look for Jesus’s body?” “Where is my Lord?” “Lord, where are you?” While weeping inconsolably, Mary glanced in the tomb and found two angels in white, one seated at where Jesus’s head laid, the other where Jesus’s feet laid. The angels asked her, “Why are you crying?”

 

 

Just before she could complete her answer, she could feel that there was a presence behind her. She turned around and heard the person ask her. “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Assuming he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you placed him, so I can go get him.” Immediately she turned and looked into the tomb again, sobbing. Apparently, she was unable to relate to this person at all, until he called her name, “Mary.” (A voice she knew so well)! Suddenly, mind cleared, eyes opened, Mary whirled around and grabbed hold of the Lord’s feet, crying out, “Teacher, my Lord! You have risen! You are alive . . . “

 

The angel’s theatrical appearance in glory to roll back the tomb stone did not convince Mary that Jesus had risen. Neither did what the angel quoted from Scripture about Jesus’s resurrection convince her. And neither did any of the other witnesses such as the Roman soldiers or the tangible burial cloths assure her. Mary still didn’t believe even when the angel encountered her one-on-one. When she turned around to find someone resembling Jesus ask her questions, she could not recognize or believe Him either. Nowadays make-up artists are more than capable to turn any actor into true-to-life Jesus. So which version should people believe? People can be misguided if they are lured to believe in what they view in movies such as Ben Hur, the Story of Jesus, Bible Stories, etc. Evangelists should exercise caution.

 

Mary was at long last convinced of the Lord’s resurrection ONLY because of her longstanding personal fellowship and relationship with the Lord.

 

Do you, do I, believe in the Lord’s resurrection? And on what bases?

 

Early on the first morning of the week, after the angel rolled away the tomb stone, the disciples entered and found Jesus’s burial linen, and heard the angels’ proclamation of the resurrection of the Lord. Only after all this mental and intellectual impact did Jesus finally appear to them in person, lest they became confused or confounded and spread ripples of rumors. Instead, with unequivocal conviction they proclaimed: I know my Redeemer lives! He will descend from heaven when the end time comes. I will see Him face to face.

 

The Lord’s Passion began with the welcoming crowd in Bethany and ended with His ascension near Bethany, to His throne in heaven.

 

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples over a period of forty days, during which He spoke about the kingdom of God. The day Jesus ascended to heaven was on the 27^th day of the second month (lyar) of the Jewish calendar. The day of Pentecost came on the 8^th day of the third month (Sivan) of that same year. The 18^th day of the first month (Nisan) was the Festival of First Fruits (the day Jesus first appeared to His disciples after His resurrection.) Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

Nisan 15 (the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread) a yearly Sabbath

 

The thick black line at the end of Nisan 17 marks the upper time limit of Jesus’ resurrection.

 

Nisan 14 Passover (day of Preparation)	Nisan 15 yearly Sabbath	Nisan 16	Nisan 17 Sabbath (the 7th day )	Nisan 18 (the 1st day)
Jesus’ crucifixion   The women followed all the way, from Via Dolorosa, to Golgotha, and to the burial site.	Jesus rested in the heart of the earth- 1st day The women observed the Sabbath rest The chief priests and the Pharisees entreated Pilate to seal the stone of the tomb and to post guards for three days.	Jesus rested in the heart of the earth- 2nd day   The women bought spices and went quickly to anoint Jesus’ body. But they were repelled by the guards.	Jesus rested in the heart of the earth- 3rd day	Jesus has risen! Starting to appear:   1. to the women who went to anoint him 2. to two followers on the road to Emmaus 3. to his disciples in Jerusalem at night on the 19th day (while doors and windows were tightly closed)

 

Nisan 18 - Hymn for meditation:

Where is He, my Jesus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au7Iv83YJ30

He lives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRlxdbYZOgI