CHAPTER 30

The women disciples had followed Peter and John to the tomb of Jesus, and after they left, they were all alone. Mary Magdalene, the one who had seven demons cast out of her, was crying outside of the tomb. As she cried, she bent over to look inside the tomb and saw two angels dressed in white. They were seated where the body of Jesus had been laid. One was sitting where Jesus’ head had rested, and the other was sitting where his feet had been. The angels asked Mary, “Woman, why are you crying?” She said, “They have taken my Lord’s body, and I do not know where they have taken him.”

Distraught, Mary Magdalene turned around and looked outside the tomb and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize him. Jesus asked Mary, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking Jesus was the gardener, Mary said, “Sir, if you have taken my Lord’s body away, tell me where you have laid him so I can go get him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned to him and shouted out “Teacher!”

Jesus then walked toward Mary and the other women disciples and said, “Greetings!” The women came to Jesus, fell down, held his feet, and began worshiping him. Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my disciples and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Do not be afraid, tell my brothers to go to Galilee; they will see me there.”

Mary Magdalene and the women disciples ran from the tomb of Jesus to tell the apostles the good news. When she arrived they were mourning and weeping. Then Mary Magdalene told them that she had seen Jesus alive. Mary said, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she told them everything that Jesus had said to her, but they still would not believe her.

After the women had left the tomb of Jesus, some of the soldiers went into Jerusalem and told the Jewish religious leaders everything that had happened. Then they devised a plan and gave the soldiers a large sum of money. They told them, “You must lie and say, ‘His disciples came during the night and took Jesus’ body while we were sleeping.’ This lie will persuade Pilate and will keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were told. And this false story has been told many times among the Jews to this very day.

It was Sunday afternoon, and two disciples of Jesus—Cleopas and another man—were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they were walking, they talked about the crucifixion of Jesus in Jerusalem. Then Jesus came up and walked alongside them, but they did not recognize him, because Jesus appeared to them in a different form. Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about?” They stopped. Their faces were very sad.

“Cleopas said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what happened?” Jesus said, “Tell me.” They said to him, “We are talking about Jesus of Nazareth! He was a prophet. He was powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. But our religious rulers delivered him over to the Romans to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We were hoping that he was the Messiah—the one who was going to redeem Israel—but he was crucified three days ago.” The women disciples amazed us, for they went to Jesus’ tomb early this morning, but they didn’t find his body. They told us that they had seen angels. The angels told them that Jesus was raised from the dead and that he is alive!” Then Peter and John went to the tomb and found it empty just as the women had said, although they did not see Jesus.”

Jesus said to them, “You are so foolish. Are you so slow of heart not to believe all that the prophets have written! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer and then enter his glory?” Jesus explained to them everything that Moses and the prophets had said about the Messiah.”

As they approached the village of Emmaus, Jesus acted like he was going to walk farther, but the two men begged him, “Stay with us, for it is almost night.” So Jesus stayed with them. When Jesus was eating with them, he took a loaf of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and began to give it to them. The two men’s eyes were opened. And they recognized him. Then Jesus immediately disappeared.

The two men said to each other, “Our hearts were burning within us while he talked to us on the road and explained the Bible to us!” They got up and went back up to Jerusalem, and found the apostles and the other disciples gathered together. The apostles told the Emmaus disciples, “It is true! The Lord has risen from the dead and has appeared to Peter.” Then the two men told the apostles that Jesus had appeared to them on the road to Emmaus, and they only recognized him when he broke bread.

It was now Sunday evening, and the apostles were together in a locked room of a private house in Jerusalem because they feared the religious leaders. They were talking about the crucifixion of Jesus and eating. Suddenly, Jesus appeared and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!” Then Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith, because they were so stubborn that they refused to believe the women disciples who had seen him alive after his resurrection.

The apostles were startled and terrified. They thought they were seeing a spirit. Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do you have doubts? Look at the marks on my hands, side, and feet. Touch me and see. A spirit does not have flesh and bones.” Jesus showed them his hands and feet, but they still did not believe. Jesus asked them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of cooked fish, and Jesus ate it in front of them. Jesus said to them, “Remember, this is what I told you would happen. Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Bible.”

Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Bible. Jesus told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah had to suffer and be raised from the dead on the third day. Then repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed in my name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are all eyewitnesses of all these things. I am going to send you the Holy Spirit who my Father has promised. Stay in Jerusalem until you have been anointed with power from heaven. As the Father has sent me into this world, I am sending you.”

Then Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit! Go into all the world and proclaim the good news of God. Whoever believes and is water-baptized will be saved. But whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Then Jesus left.

Now Thomas, one of the apostles, was not there when Jesus first appeared to them. So the apostles told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas said to them, “I will not believe unless I see and touch the nail marks in his hands, and put my hand into his side.” Then on Sunday a week later, the apostles were once again gathered in the locked room, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Touch the nail marks on my hands and the hole in my side. Now stop doubting and believe.” Thomas shouted, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus said to him, “You believe in me because you have seen me, but blessed are those who have not seen me and still believe.”

Then Jesus left.

When the week-long Passover Feast was over, the apostles left Jerusalem and traveled to Galilee as instructed by Jesus. When they arrived, Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two other apostles were all together. Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” The others said, “We’re going with you.” So they got into the boat and fished all night, but they did not catch any fish.

As the sun was rising early in the morning, Jesus stood on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, but the apostles did not recognize him. Jesus shouted to them, “Friends, haven’t you caught any fish?” They said, “No!” Jesus said, “Throw your net to the right side of the boat and you will catch fish.” When they did what Jesus said, they caught so many fish that they could not lift their net into the boat. Then John said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”

As soon as Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat towing the net full of fish. When they landed, they saw fish being cooked on a fire and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring me some of the fish you have caught.” So Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net onto the shore. The net was full of large fish, but it did not tear. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Jesus took the bread and fish and gave it to them.

After they had finished eating, Jesus took Peter aside and asked him, “Do you love me more than the other apostles?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Once again, Jesus asked, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Peter was sad because Jesus kept asking him whether he loved him. He said to Jesus, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus looked into his eyes and said to Peter, “Then follow me and take care of my sheep!”

Peter turned and saw John following them. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what is going to happen to him?” Jesus said, “What is it to you if I want him to stay alive until I come again? You just follow me!”

Then Jesus left.

The apostles traveled to the Galilean hillside to meet with Jesus again. When they saw Jesus, they worshiped him; but some of them were not sure that it was him. Jesus walked to them and gave them the great commission. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have taught you. I tell you the truth: I am with you always, to the very the end of the world!”

When Jesus and the apostles were back in Jerusalem, Jesus led them to the area of Bethany on the Mount of Olives. He raised his hands, blessed them, and was taken into heaven and enthroned in authority at God’s right hand.

Then the apostles worshiped Jesus and went back to Jerusalem with great joy. They continually met to praise God at the Jerusalem temple. They went out and proclaimed the good news of God everywhere, and the Lord Jesus confirmed the message of salvation with miracles.