HE IS RISEN!

Jerusalem, Israel: April 5, 33 AD — In more ways than one, this past Friday was perhaps the darkest day Jerusalem has ever seen. The brutal trial and execution of Jesus of Nazareth stunned residents and scattered the infamous Rabbi’s followers. Saturday was little better as a gloom hung over the city. It was as if LIFE itself had died!

Then, just this morning,  in a stunning turn of events that has shaken the city and sent shockwaves across Judea and beyond, the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth has been found empty! Stories about how this could have happened are conflicting. The soldiers guarding the tomb claim that the body was stolen by Christ’s disciples while they were sleeping. This testimony leaves much room for doubt as it is impossible to identify a thief when you are asleep. Also, soldiers can face serve consequences for sleeping on duty. We will keep you apprised if these men change their story in the coming days.

Another group has a completely different story. They are claiming JESUS IS ALIVE! Among these witnesses were a small group of women. Mary of Magdala, a former demoniac healed by Jesus, reported arriving at the tomb while it was still dark, only to be greeted by the glorious light of angels! According to Mary, the angels asked she and the group of women she was with, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’”

The massive stone sealing the entrance had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty, save for the burial cloths of Christ. Mary and the other women quickly reported this news to the Apostles. Peter and John, two of Jesus’ closest followers, ran to the tomb after hearing Mary’s account. Simon Peter, always outspoken, appeared to be in disbelief at first, and he hesitated before entering the tomb. John, on the other hand, outran Peter, entered the tomb first, and found it exactly as the women had reported. Jesus was gone!

Of course, a missing body does not necessarily equal a miraculous resurrection of a brutally crucified man. That is what makes the next part of Mary’s testimony so stunning. She claims to have seen Christ HIMSELF! As Peter and John ran back to the other Apostles with the news, Mary remained at the tomb weeping, wondering who had carried off the body of her Lord – perhaps still in shock and not quite believing the testimony of the angels who had said He was risen. Mary reports that the angels appeared again and asked, “Woman, why are you weeping?” To which she replied, “Because they have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put Him.”

Mary’s grief for her beloved Rabbi was indeed so deep and tender, that a second appearance by angels barely seemed to make an impact on her. She turned out of the tomb to see another man whom she supposed to be the gardener. She continued sobbing as He asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Still not looking at the man, Mary replied, “Sir, if you have carried [my Lord] off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Here the Stranger called her by name (which He should not have known), and she looked up into the face of JESUS. One can hardly blame her for immediately embracing her dear Teacher and Master, but Mary reports that He told her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'” Mary wasted no time doing exactly as she was instructed.

Later in the day, two disciples traveling to Emmaus recounted meeting a Stranger on the road who interpreted the Scriptures concerning the Messiah. Though they were unaware of the identity of the Stranger at first, they said their very hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures for them. It was only later when the man broke bread with them that they realized they had been walking with the risen Jesus Himself.

Just tonight, Jesus appeared to His disciples again in an enclosed room, despite the doors being locked for fear of the authorities. According to Thomas, one of the twelve who was not present at the time, the others told him, “We have seen the Lord!”  But Thomas doubted, insisting, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were… I will never believe.” One can hardly blame Thomas for his skepticism, but given the reports of the day, it is beginning to be more and more difficult to deny something miraculous has happened.

Breaking Update – Eight Days Later

Christ has been seen again! It has been eight days since reports of His resurrection began, but there have been no confirmed sightings since them. Now hard proof arrives. This time the doubting apostle, Thomas, was present with the others, and Jesus appeared again. He invited Thomas to touch His wounds, saying,  “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas responded, overwhelmed, “My Lord and my God!”

The resurrection confirms what Jesus foretold many times during His ministry. “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Now, it seems, every word has come to pass. More than 500 individuals are expected to report sightings of the risen Christ, according to early testimonies. The implications are staggering – both for Jewish tradition and for the Roman Empire. The chief priests and elders, meanwhile, have declined to comment but are believed to be coordinating a response.

As the country continues to vibrate with both excitement and uncertainty, the questions facing every man and woman in Jerusalem are the same: What if it’s true? What if Christ has risen? What if He has risen indeed?

References

Disclaimer: This article is part of our Easter Celebration Series 2025. It is written from the point of view of a fictitious reporter present at the crucifixion. Biblical references, summaries, and quotes should be considered factual. Elements outside these parameters should be considered fictional.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is a project of Bible Hub. Used with permission. The Berean Standard Bible has been released into the public domain.