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“Jesus is not dead!”

According to the Bible, Jesus was killed on a Friday afternoon.His body would have been laid in the tomb soon after he died. Jewish law would have allowed a private ceremony for mourners seven days later. So Jesus' mother, Mary, would have bought oils and scents to wash and perfume the body so it wouldn't smell. The Bible says Mary was accompanied by Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus' closest disciples [though not one of the 'twelve']. Both women were present at the crucifixion and would have known where the tomb was. You might expect them to go to the tomb right away, but it was Friday and the Sabbath began at sundown. Under Jewish law the women would have to wait until the end of the Sabbath to prepare the body. Early on Sunday morning, Mary and Mary Magdalene made their way to the tomb. As they left they're said to have heard a voice ["He is not here...He is risen..."].

The women then rushed of to give the news of the miracle to Peter and the other disciples. "Jesus", they said, "is not dead, he has been raised back to life". Not surprisingly, the Bible says the disciples were sceptical. We're not told if they went to check for themselves, but the empty tomb is not the only evidence given for the resurrection. The Gospels say Jesus then made a series of extraordinary appearances to his followers. First, was to Mary Magdalene. He's then said to have appeared to his disciples, and one time to as many as five hundred followers at once. In almost every reported sighting the disciples struggled to recognise Jesus, suggesting to them that his physical appearance had changed in some way.

Miracles of Jesus

Part 3   The Resurrection  7

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