X

THE BURIAL

How the Body of the Lord Jesus Was Buried in a Rich Man's Tomb.

The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), and because bodies should not remain on the cross upon the Sabbath, asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him: but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water.

And behold, a man named Joseph, who was a councilor, a good man and a righteous (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), a man of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was looking for the kingdom of God: this man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was hewn in stone, where never man had yet lain. And he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

Now on the morrow, which is the day after the Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, 'After three days I rise again.' Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, 'He is risen from the dead': and the last error will be worse than the first."

Pilate said unto them, "Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure as ye can."

So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them.

THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB.

By Bouguereau (1825-1905)

How the Lord Jesus rose again from the dead,
how He comforted His disciples, and
how He sent them out to
teach all men in
His name.

I

THE RESURRECTION

How the Lord Jesus Rose from the Dead, and Appeared to Mary of Magdala.

Now on the first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet dark, unto the tomb, and seeth the stone taken away from the tomb. She runneth therefore, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we know not where they have laid him."

Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. And they ran both together: and the other disciple outran Peter, and came first to the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths lying; yet entered he not in. Simon Peter therefore also cometh, following him, and entered into the tomb; and he beholdeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. Then entered in therefore the other disciple also, which came first to the tomb, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. So the disciples went away again unto their own home.

But Mary was standing without at the tomb weeping: so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she beholdeth two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou?" She saith unto them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him."

When she had thus said, she turned herself back, and beholdeth Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Jesus saith unto her, "Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?"

She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, "Sir, if thou hast borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away."

Jesus saith unto her, "Mary."

She turneth herself, and saith unto him in Hebrew, "Rabboni"; which is to say, "Master."

Jesus saith to her, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended unto the Father: but go unto my brethren, and say to them, 'I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.'"

Mary Magdalene cometh and telleth the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and that he had said these things unto her.

THE WOMEN AT THE TOMB.

II

ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS

How on the Same Day He Joined Two of His Disciples, as They Walked into the Country.

And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was three-score furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, "What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk?"

And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, "Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?"

And he said unto them, "What things?"

And they said unto him, "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, 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. Yea and beside all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover {302} 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, which said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not."

And he said unto them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?"

And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew near unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further. And they constrained him, saying, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent."

And he went in to abide with them. And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, while he spoke to us on the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?"

CHRIST AND HIS DISCIPLES ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS.

By Bernard Plockhorst (1825- )

III

DOUBTING THOMAS

How the Lord Jesus Appeared to His Disciples Twice at Jerusalem.

Those disciples with whom Jesus had eaten at Emmaus rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, in the evening, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. The eleven told them in secret, the doors being shut for fear of the Jews, "The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." And the two disciples told the others the things that happened on the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.

And as they spoke these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and said unto them, "Peace be unto you."

But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. And he said unto them, "Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do 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 ye behold me having."

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, "Have ye here anything to eat?" And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish.

And he took it and did eat before them.

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said unto them, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace be unto you."

Then said he to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."

Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord and my God."

Jesus said unto him, "Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they who have not seen, and yet have believed."

IV

"FEED MY SHEEP."

How the Lord Jesus Appeared to His Disciples as They Fished at the Sea of Galilee.

After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Galilee in this way. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter said unto them, "I go a fishing."

They say unto him, "We also come with thee."

They went forth, and entered into the boat; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said unto them, "Children, have ye ought to eat?"

They answered him, "No."

And he said unto them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find."

They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, "It is the Lord."

So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little {308} boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus said unto them, "Bring of the fish which ye have now taken."

Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty-three: and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus said unto them, "Come and break your fast."

And none of the disciples dared inquire of him, "Who art thou?" knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus came, and took the bread, and gave them, and the fish likewise.

So when they had broken their fast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?"

He said unto him, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

He said unto him, "Feed my lambs."

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?"

He said unto him, "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee."

He said unto him, "Tend my sheep."

He said unto him the third time, "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me?"

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, "Lovest thou me?" And he said unto him, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee."

Jesus said unto him, "Feed my sheep."

And when he had spoken this, he said unto him, "Follow me."

Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; and said to Jesus, "Lord, and what shall this man do?"

Jesus said unto him, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me."

V

THE ASCENSION

How the Lord Jesus Appeared Again in Galilee, and How He at Last Went Away from Earth to Heaven.

But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came to them and spoke unto them, saying,--

"All authority hath ben given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Then they all went again to Jerusalem, where Jesus appeared once more to them, and spoke with them about the kingdom of God. They, still thinking that he meant an earthly kingdom of which he would be king at Jerusalem, and wondering when it would come, asked him, saying, "Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?"

And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within his own authority. But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

By G. Biermann

And he said unto them, "These are my words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, how that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me."

Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; and he said unto them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Ye are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high."

And he led them out until they were over against Bethany: and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them, he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, blessing God.

Leaders and victories of the New Faith.

THE GOLDEN GATE, EAST OF THE TEMPLE AREA. JERUSALEM LOOKING TOWARD THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

How the New Faith Spread from Jerusalem.

I

THE DAY OF PENTECOST

The First Meeting of the Disciples in Jerusalem.

(After Jesus had left the company of the apostles, and was seen no more by them, they remained quietly in Jerusalem. They chose a man named Matthias to take the place of Judas, but they had no definite plan of action, not yet quite realizing the importance of the work which they were to do. Suddenly, on the day of Pentecost, there came the great inspiration from God to go forward and take up the work of redeeming the world where Jesus laid it down. They began to preach about Jesus, of his beautiful life, and his death for men upon the cross. And everywhere the people listened eagerly and gladly to this wonderful story, and believing, were baptized, becoming the disciples of the new faith. This is the story of the simple beginning of the great movement called Christianity, as the experience made its impression upon the disciples themselves.)

And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this {326} sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were amazed, because every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they marveled, saying, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we, every man in our own language, wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God."

And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, "What meaneth this?"

But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke forth unto them, saying, "Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; but this is that which hath been spoken by the prophet Joel:--

"Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden by it. For David said concerning him,--

"Brethren, I may speak unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that he would set one of his family upon his throne; he foreseeing this spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left in Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are {328} witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. For David ascended not into the heavens: but he said himself,--

"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"

And Peter said unto them, "Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him." And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

They then that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders {329} and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and they sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, according as any man had need. And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved.

II

A MIRACLE OF THE NEW FAITH.

How a Lame Man Was Healed, and What Came of it.

Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man that was lame from his birth was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple. This man seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, "Look on us."

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and knowing that it was he who sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, "Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. By faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets which have been since the world began. Moses indeed said, 'A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever {332} he shall speak unto you. And it shall be, that every soul, which shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.'

"Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, 'And in thy race shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' Unto you first, God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in prison unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have ye done this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, "Ye rulers of the people, and elders, if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to a lame man, by {333} what means this man is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him doth this man stand here before you whole. He is the stone which was set at naught of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, "What shall we do to these men? that a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name."

And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard."

And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, not finding how they might punish them, because {334} of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,--