He is Risen!
It was the dawn of the first day. Given that Yeshua had been crucified and buried on the Passover day, there had been two long Sabbaths. The first was the High Sabbath of the Feast of Unleavened Bread followed by the weekly Sabbath. Today was the Feast of First Fruits (the day after the weekly Sabbath following the Passover). Today was the first morning after three days and three nights that Yeshua had been in the tomb.
Mary Magdalene, along with her friend Joanna, and Mary (the mother of James and Salome) were enroute to the tomb. Apparently, they had purchased the necessary spices to properly prepare Yeshua’s body, which was hastily placed in a tomb, but they did not have time to apply them to His body then. Today was the first day they could complete their task having been delayed by the two Sabbaths that followed.
While they walked to the garden, a key question arose. “How will we move the stone so we can enter the tomb?” Since the tomb was guarded by the Roman soldiers, perhaps they would move it for them. Earlier that night they had not realized that the earthquake they had felt had already moved the rock for them, and they would not find any Roman soldiers remaining.
The high priests had demanded of Pilate that he station soldiers to guard the tomb to ensure that Yeshua’s body would not be stolen by His followers, who could then claim He had been resurrected which would result in even more trouble. There was a report that Yeshua had boasted of His own resurrection after three days, after He had raised Lazarus from his grave in Bethany. They did not want this to continue and were concerned that everyone would believe in Him as the Messiah of Israel.
Pilate had granted their request, and soldiers were assigned to the high priests to maintain the guard. Satisfied that the tomb was secure, the priests were confident that the Yeshua of Nazareth problem would simply die away as He had died. Even Yeshua’s closest followers would drift back to their homes, embarrassed and feeling they had been misled.
As the women approached the tomb, the early morning light revealed an astonishing sight. The tomb was open, the Romans were nowhere to be seen, but there were some people there!?! Two angels were present, one sitting on the stone and other one inside the tomb.
The shock sent the women fleeing but Mary Magdalene had to see more. Trembling she peeked inside. The angel then asked her, “Why are you seeking Him here? He has risen! You should go to His disciples and tell them. He will see them in the Galilee.”
Mary was overwhelmed with confusion. She did not know what to believe. This was not what she was expected. She stumbled away from the tomb, joined again with the other women. It was then they saw another man there in the garden. Mary thought He must be the gardener. Maybe He could tell them what had happened, who moved His body, where had they taken Him?
But it was not the gardener; it was Yeshua. He had been watching the women come to the tomb and saw their reaction. He now greeted them. They fell to His feet and, as Mary reached to grasp Him, Yeshua commanded her to stay back and explained that He had not yet been to His Father. He had to be glorified by Him first before anything else could be done.
“Go and tell My disciples that I have risen. I will see them in the Galilee.”
Mary gathered herself and hurriedly went to where the disciples were staying.
The Roman soldiers were also enroute to share their story with the high priests. At the first report, the Jewish leaders assembled the other elders and began to counsel with one another.
“You must say that His disciples came and stole His body,” they demanded of the soldiers. But the soldiers explained that their Roman officers would punish them with death if they gave that excuse for not doing their duty. The priests answered them, “Here, we will give you this great amount of money, tell others the story, and we will take care of dealing with Pilate and your officers.”
Mary arrived to find that there were only ten of the remaining eleven disciples. Thomas (Didymus), which means “twin,” had stayed elsewhere.
Excitedly, Mary recounted that she and the other women had seen the Lord. “He is alive! I have seen Him!”
The astonished disciples questioned Mary.
“What?! What are you saying? You must have seen a ghost! Someone is playing a trick on you. This is nonsense. You are saying this because you want Him to be resurrected.”
Mary was struck by their initial unbelief. They should have believed her report. They had heard His teaching just as she had remembered. He said He would come back in three days but they rejected her words. It was too much for them to believe her report.
“I am telling the truth. Go and see the empty tomb if you do not believe me,” she countered.
Those words were the starting signal for a race. Peter and John were immediately out the door running to the tomb. John, who was smaller and younger, arrived at the tomb first. They found the stone rolled aside and inside they could see the linen cloth and the burial napkin but not the body of Yeshua. John immediately believed what Yeshua had said. This was the sign of Jonah; He had been buried for the three days and three nights just as Jonah had been in the belly of the whale. But now He was resurrected and alive again!
Peter was not as excited. He knew Yeshua’s body was not there, but what had happened was not easily understood. Peter wanted Yeshua to be resurrected, but he was also remembering the Passover night and day of Yeshua’s crucifixion. Peter had denied Him just as Yeshua had predicted. He had shown himself to be a coward. Even if Yeshua was alive, his relationship with Him would not be the same. How would Yeshua ever forgive him and his ego?
The report of Yeshua not being in the tomb was spreading everywhere. The Roman soldiers were earning their money and the priests were prepared to dismiss any talk of resurrection. Mary, on the other hand, was sharing to as many as would listen that she had seen Him. The disciples, however, were huddled together, fearing they would be arrested if they said anything to anyone else.
In the temple, the ceremony for the Feast of First Fruits had begun. With the ceremonial sacrifices on the altar sending up their smoke and fragrance, the priests were waving barley sheaves with the new grain for that year. They were recounting how the seeds of barley had died, been buried in the earth, and now had come forth with newness of life with an abundant harvest. They were thanking God for the resurrection of life!
Despite the conflicting reports, two of Yeshua’s followers, Cephas and Jacob, were traveling on the road to their nearby community of Emmaus. It was not far from Jerusalem on the way toward the Western Sea.
With all the news in Jerusalem that day, they found themselves talking with one another recounting all the reports. It was then that another person walking on the same road asked about their conversation. Unbeknownst to them, it was the resurrected Yeshua.
They then began to repeat all they had heard and seen themselves.
“We are talking about Yeshua the Nazarene. He was a great prophet doing mighty godly deeds. He was arrested by the high priests and given over to the Romans to be crucified. He was buried on Passover day. It is now three days later and there are reports of His body not being in the tomb. Some are saying that His body has been stolen. But there are also some of the women who followed Him saying that they saw Him. They have reported they saw a vision of angels who told them to go tell His disciples. The disciples went to the tomb also but they did not see him. We were hoping He was the Messiah.”
The stranger to them began to answer, “You men are being foolish. You are slow to believe. Didn’t the prophets tell you that the Messiah would suffer these things and be glorified?”
Beginning with Moses, He began to review the many prophecies of the Messiah in the Scriptures. As Abraham had said, “The Lord will provide for Himself the lamb in that place” (Genesis 22:8). And further, how Jacob had sent his son Joseph to see to the welfare of the flock and his brethren (Genesis 37:13). And, how God would send His Son from Heaven for the benefit of the brethren only to be rejected just as Joseph was. And just as Joseph was raised up, so the Son of God would be raised up to have authority over all things. He probably also recounted how Moses, at Mount Sinai, received God’s promise for another One to be raised up from their countrymen and His Word would be required of all, just as God had spoken from the mount with His own voice. Or maybe, He explained how the Messiah would be the Son of David and sit on His throne forever.
Whatever Yeshua said to them, the words “burned in their hearts” producing faith.
As they approached their destination, the two compelled the stranger to stay and break bread. As Yeshua blessed God and broke the bread, their eyes were opened, and they saw Yeshua. He then vanished from their sight. Without hesitation they arose and returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples.
Despite the reports from the women, the disciples from Emmaus, and the empty tomb, the eleven continued to be perplexed and fearful. They discussed the matter among themselves trying to be convinced that Yeshua was alive. But some of them doubted; their faith was weak. Thomas took an emphatic position stating he could not believe until he beheld the nail prints and the piercing that Yeshua received at the crucifixion.
Suddenly, Yeshua was standing in their midst. His presence terrified them and they thought they were beholding a spirit. Yeshua spoke softly, “Shalom aleichem.” He then addressed their doubts and questions of their hearts.
“Look at my hands and feet. It is Me. Go ahead; touch me. See for yourselves. I am alive. I have risen,” Yeshua reassured them. There was a mixture of joy and wonder in that moment.
Then Yeshua guided them from shock to simple fellowship. He asked if they had anything to eat. He was hungry. They had some fish and served it to Him. While He ate, the disciples must have wondered how He would even need food and have an appetite after being resurrected. Sitting there eating was clear evidence that He had returned from the grave.
Yeshua used these moments to explain in more detail how Moses and the Prophets had foretold of these events they were witnessing. He opened their minds to understand the purpose and meaning. He shared that He had to die and be raised to provide redemption and the gift of eternal life to those who believe.
“You are My witnesses. It is from Jerusalem that this gospel will go into the world,” Yeshua explained.
“In seven Sabbaths, you will be here in Jerusalem for Shavuot. You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and begin to testify of Me.”
Yeshua finished His broiled fish and disappeared from the room.
The disciples’ discussion dramatically changed. They asked themselves what they should do next and they remembered that the angels at the tomb instructed them to return to the Galilee. Peter summed up the discussion, “Let’s go fishing.”
In the days and weeks that followed, the disciples kept themselves busy fishing and counting the Omer (seven Sabbaths). They would soon return to Jerusalem for the pilgrimage feast. There would be Israelites and Gentile believers arriving from many different lands.
Fishing on the Sea of Galilee was done at night. In the daylight, the fish would see the net and avoid being caught. But at night, the fish would swim into the net for the catch. Peter decided to go fishing and six other disciples joined him.
It had been a long night with no success. They had hurled the net many times and drug it back empty each time. They had even sailed their boat to different places along the coast seeking the fish but the dawn of the day brought the fishing to a conclusion. They began to return to their home port.
Approaching the coast, they saw a man standing on the beach. They did not know who it was but He called out to them, “Have you caught any fish?” They replied with a discouraging, “No.”
He told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat and they would catch some. Peter may have wondered how a man on the shore could know when or where to catch fish from his boat but they did as He said.
Suddenly, the net was filled with fish. It was like they were catching all the fish in the sea at once. The seven of them struggled, unable to bring the net into the boat. As they were near their port they cried out to the other disciples on the shore, who boarded a smaller boat and joined the effort to bring in the net to shore.
John then saw that the man on the shore must be the Master. Peter put on his clothing and dove into the water swimming to the shore. Although it is not recorded in Scripture, Peter probably fell to his knees grasping Yeshua and weeping with repentance.
Once the net was pulled in, they surveyed the catch. It was a very great catch of fish, one hundred fifty-three fish in all. Amazedly, it took all of the disciples in two boats and the net did not break despite the massive weight of fish.
Yeshua then asked them to bring some of their fish and join Him for breakfast. Yeshua already had a perfect fire with coals ready to cook the fish. No one needed to ask or say anything. They now knew it was Yeshua.
After they had eaten, Yeshua spoke directly to Peter asking if he loved Him more than the others. Peter responded, “Yes.” Yeshua said, “Feed My lambs.”
Then Yeshua asked again, “Peter do you love Me?” Again, Peter answered, “Yes.” And Yeshua said, “Shepherd My sheep.”
Peter was grieved as Yeshua asked again, “Peter, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter answered, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Yeshua said, “Tend My sheep.”
Yeshua explained to Peter that there will be a time where he cannot control what happens to him, and ended it by saying, “Follow Me.”. It was then that Peter understood of manner of death he would face. It would be crucifixion.
This was the third time they had seen Yeshua after His resurrection. The first was in Jerusalem, the second was in Galilee with five hundred witnesses, and the third time was now at their breakfast.
A powerful sign had been given to the disciples explaining their work as His Apostles. The sign was the catching of the one hundred fifty-three fish. They were to become the fishers of men and it would require collaboration. They also were shown that they would catch everyone God chose without the net breaking. The exact number of fish also carried a powerful sign. The Gematria number one hundred fifty-three has the numerical value of “I am God.”
Yeshua again met with the eleven on the same mountain in Galilee on which He had spoken to the multitudes. He declared to them that all authority in Heaven and Earth had been given to Him. He commanded them to go into all nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He also directed them to teach the commandments of God and how to observe them. He concluded His words with encouragement and consolation, “I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
But some doubted.
Peter and disciples then traveled back to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. On day forty of the counting of the Omer, Yeshua met with the disciples on the Mount of Olives. They asked Him if He was going to establish His Kingdom in Israel at this time. Yeshua told them that was going to be done by His Father and they were not to know the times or seasons of that event. Instead, they were told to remain in Jerusalem until the feast. They would then receive the Holy Spirt and become His witnesses, first in Jerusalem and then to the whole world. (Acts 1:4-8)
It was then they saw Yeshua rise in the air and disappear into the clouds. They continued staring into the sky when two angels stood by them.
“You men of Galilee, why are you staring at heaven? Yeshua has gone to the Father and taken His seat at the right hand of the Father. He will return to this place at the end the ages in the same manner as He left.” (Acts 1:9-11)
The disciples then went into Jerusalem gathering with many others and waiting. Peter was with one hundred twenty brethren. Peter nominated two men as candidates to fill the vacancy of Judas, one of the twelve. One was Joseph called Barsabbas and the other Matthias. Both had been with the twelve from the beginning of Yeshua’s ministry. After the lot was cast it fell upon Matthias to become an apostle, filling Judas’ vacancy.
On the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day after the resurrection, the entire assembly came together in one place. There was a powerful wind blowing about them and then tongues of fire appeared on the disciples’ heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in different languages. There were others from many places each having a different language. The multitude began to marvel at how a group of Galileans could speak each of their differing languages. They were able to speak the languages of the Medes and those from Mesopotamia and Asia in the East. Even those from the West such as Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, and Rome heard their own languages.
Some thought that they might be intoxicated and mocked what they heard, but Peter stood with the other eleven and began to witness with great power.
He declared to them the man Yeshua of Nazareth and how He had done wonders, miracles, and signs that only God could do. He explained that Yeshua had now given them the Holy Spirit that empowered them to speak in their languages. By quoting the Scriptures, he explained how Yeshua was to be given over to sinners and killed.
As he spoke, they remembered the many reports for the past fifty plus days about the crucifixion and the empty tomb. The Holy Spirit was working in their hearts from the Scriptures and the testimony of Peter. Peter concluded his exhortation with this report.
This same Yeshua of Nazareth was the Messiah, the Son of God, and He had been resurrected from the grave. He was alive! He had proved that He had the power over death, the power to forgive sin and grant eternal life to those who believed in Him.
The testimony of Yeshua’s resurrection shook them. Three thousand believed and were baptized as well. In the days and years afterward, Yeshua’s resurrection is the “good news” of eternal life to all peoples, tribes, and tongues.
The Apostle John gave this same teaching at the conclusion of his first letter.
“And this is the testimony that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you… so that you many know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:11-13
Paraphrased retelling from John 20-21, Acts 1-2, Matthew 28:16-20, and 1 John 5:11-13 (NASB)
Article written by Monte Judah
* Scripture references from the NASB95
