"In the cross of Christ I glory,
Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime."
[244]In order for the human race to receive the benefit of the ransom-sacrifice, it was essential for Jesus to be raised from the dead. His resurrection is therefore of vital importance, and this constitutes another string of the harp, which we will treat separately.
Why is the ransom the most vital string upon the harp of God?
¶ 177
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What effect will its appreciation have upon the human race?¶ 177.
What is the most precious thing possessed by any creature, and why?¶ 178.
When can a creature properly glorify his Creator?¶ 178.
In whose image was man created?¶ 179.
What did God give to man at the time of his creation?¶ 179.
What is the difference between life and the right to life?¶ 179.
Describe the condition and environment of Adam and Eve in Eden.¶ 179.
Were Adam and Eve informed as to what would be the result of the violation of God's law?¶ 179.
Was there any real wrong in eating the fruit? and if not, wherein was the wrong done by man?¶ 180.
What was the effect of the sentence pronounced against man?¶ 180.
What was the effect of the execution of that sentence?¶ 180.
In what manner was the sentence executed?¶ 180.
When did Adam and Eve first exercise the power of producing their offspring?¶ 181.
Was it possible for them to have perfect children? and if not, why not?¶ 181.
Their children were born and lived, but did they have a right to life? and if not, why not?¶ 181.
What is the difference between right to life and life rights?¶ 182.
What Scriptural proof is there that all were born imperfect?¶ 183.
Without divine provision for the redemption of man, would the earth become depopulated? and if so, why?¶ 184.
Is mankind wholly dependent upon God's provision for life?¶ 184.
If God has made full and complete provision that man shall live in happiness, what effect should that have upon men's minds and hearts?¶ 184.
At the time God sentenced man to death did he foreshadow a provision for his release? and if so, how? Give the Scriptural proof.¶ 185.
Did he here foreshadow the ultimate fate of Satan? and if so, what is that fate?¶ 185.
Could the judgment Jehovah entered against Adam be annulled or set aside? and if not, why not?¶ 186.
If it could be changed, what effect would it have upon the faith of men?¶ 186.
Could God consistently provide for a substitute to meet the terms of that judgment?¶ 186.
Is it Jehovah's desire that men should understand the necessity and reason for redemption?¶ 187.
Why did God cause certain types and pictures to be made by his people?¶ 187.
Explain about the passover lamb slain by the Israelites on the night of their leaving Egypt. Give the Scriptural account.¶ 188.
What was pictured there by the firstborn?¶ 188.
What was pictured by the lamb, and also by the blood?¶ 188.
Who was spoken of as the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"?¶ 188.
What was pictured by the deliverance of Israel from the Egyptians?¶ 190.
What arrangement did God make with Israel at Mount Sinai?¶ 191.
What was typified by the making of this law covenant at Mount Sinai?¶ 191.
Who erected the tabernacle in the wilderness?¶ 192.
The services performed by the priest on the atonement day in connection with the tabernacle foreshadowed what?¶ 192.
Give a description of the construction of the tabernacle.¶ 193.
Describe what the high priest did with the bullock on the day of atonement.¶ 194.
What did he do with its blood?¶ 194.
What did these ceremonies foreshadow?¶ 194.
How often were these services performed?¶ 195.
Why, then, was the law covenant made?¶ 195.
What was the purpose of having the Israelites to go through these ceremonies once each year?¶ 195.
What did the law demand relative to Adam? and how was justice satisfied?¶ 196.
The fact that Adam's children were born after he was sentenced to death, what effect did that have upon the children?¶ 196.
Why did God permit the sentence upon Adam to have a vital effect upon all of Adam's children?¶ 197.
Did Jehovah promise to ransom man? and if so, give the Scriptural proof.¶ 197.
Must this promise be carried out?¶ 197.
Define ransom.¶ 198.
Define sin-offering.¶ 199.
Where and how was the ransom-price provided?¶ 199.
Where was the sin-offering begun? and where is it finished?¶ 199.
By what prophecy did God show that it was his purpose to redeem man by his beloved Son suffering death?¶ 201.
In what sense are Adam and his offspring held in restraint or imprisonment? Give the Scriptural proof.¶ 202.
What was the first qualification of the one who would provide the ransom-price?¶ 203.
Could divine justice accept anything more or less than the value of a perfect human life as a ransom for Adam and his race?¶ 204.
Was it necessary for the redeemer to be a perfect human being? and if so, why?¶ 204.
In what way did the law given to Israel indicate that a perfect human life would be required as a ransom-price?¶ 205.
Give an illustration under the law.¶ 205.
Did the law picture what should constitute the qualification of the redeemer? and if so, where, and what, is it?¶ 205.
How is man's extremity and dependence upon Jehovah shown in connection with the ransom provision?¶ 206.
Could Adam redeem himself? or could any of Adam's children redeem him or their brethren? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 206.
Why was man's condition hopeless without a redeemer?¶ 206.
The ransom-price when provided, where must it be presented?¶ 207.
Could any human being present the value of that ransom-sacrifice in heaven?¶ 207.
What two potent reasons, then, are there which make it impossible for Adam's children to redeem their brethren?¶ 208.
Show how man's future happiness wholly depends upon the divine provision for redemption,¶ 209.
Does man's complete extremity enable us to appreciate more highly the value of the ransom-sacrifice?¶ 209.
What does this show with reference to the debt of gratitude man owes to Jehovah?¶ 209.
Give an illustration of man's extremity; and what would cause him to feel grateful to his benefactor?¶ 210.
If we find the proof to be conclusive that Jehovah has made provision for the redemption and deliverance of all mankind, how should that affect the mind and heart of every honest person?¶ 210.
Whom did God send into the earth to be the redeemer or ransomer of mankind?¶ 211.
What did St. Paul say about this to the Galatians? Quote the Scripture.¶ 211.
Was it important that Jesus should be qualified to meet the requirements of the divine law in order to ransom the race?¶ 211.
Since ransom meansexact corresponding price, had Jesus been an incarnated spirit being would he have been qualified to ransom mankind?¶ 212.
If Jesus had been part man and part God, would he have been qualified to meet the requirements of the divine law?¶ 212.
What does the divine law definitely require as to the qualification of the redeemer or ransomer?¶ 212.
How did God send his Son? and when he came, was he a man or was he God? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 213.
Had any perfect man lived on the earth from Adam to Jesus?¶ 213.
Suppose Jesus had been greater than a man when he consecrated at the Jordan, could he have met the divine requirements and become the redeemer of mankind?¶ 213.
Did Jesus have power to produce a perfect race? and if so, did he in this way correspond to the perfect Adam?¶ 214.
State what occurred before Pilate. Paraphrase the substance of Pilate's statement to Jesus.¶ 214.
Under the Jewish law, what must be the age of a man in order to be qualified as priest?¶ 214.
What was the age of Jesus when he presented himself to John for baptism?¶ 215.
Why was it necessary for Jesus to wait until he was thirty years of age to begin his ministry?¶ 215.
What was the difference between Jesus and prominent men of the earth with reference to receiving attention from others?¶ 216.
Of what does true greatness consist?¶ 216.
Why did Jesus say he came to the earth? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 216.
How did Jesus become the servant of all?¶ 217.
Why was it a sacrifice on the part of Jehovah to send Jesus to earth to redeem man?¶ 217.
What prompted God to make this sacrifice for man?¶ 217.
Why did the Pharisees and doctors of the law misrepresent and persecute Jesus?¶ 218.
Why was Satan so anxious to destroy Jesus?¶ 219.
Why did the scribes and Pharisees occupy a responsible position toward the Jewish people?¶ 219.
What were some of the crimes Jesus properly charged against the Pharisees? and why did he so charge them?¶ 219.
Did Jesus know that he was to be crucified? and how did he spend his last night with the disciples?¶ 220.
What were his enemies doing at the same hour?¶ 220.
What is meant by the Sanhedrin? and who composed it?¶ 220.
What was the duty of this high court toward the people, including Jesus?¶ 220.
When this court secretly met, state what was said by it concerning Jesus.¶ 221.
Who were the parties to the conspiracy to destroy Jesus? and whose was the master mind directing them?¶ 222.
How was Judas brought into the conspiracy? and under what consideration?¶ 222.
Who was sent out to arrest the Master?¶ 222.
Did the court have any right to try him at night?¶ 222.
Did it have a right to cause him to testify against himself?¶ 223.
Was there any evidence against him?¶ 223.
What crime did the Sanhedrin commit in getting witnesses against Jesus?¶ 223.
Did that court violate the Jewish law in voting for his conviction?¶ 223.
Why did the court reconvene the morning following to ratify the sentence? and was this proper?¶ 223.
Why did not the Jews put Jesus to death and not take him before Pilate?¶ 224.
Why did Pilate wish to release Jesus?¶ 225.
When Pilate attempted to release Jesus, what did the accusers do?¶ 225.
Who were the responsible men that incited the mob to cry against the Master?¶ 225.
To what did the civil power yield in sentencing Jesus to death?¶ 225.
Which was more reprehensible, the civil or the ecclesiastical power, in this case?¶ 225.
Who were put to death with Jesus?¶ 226.
In the eyes of the world, did Jesus die as a righteous man?¶ 226.
In the death of Jesus upon the cross, what particular prophecy was fulfilled?¶ 227.
Why must Jesus die?¶ 228.
What was God's will concerning Jesus with reference to his becoming a man and being put to death?¶ 229.
What did Jesus mean by saying that he was the bread which came down from heaven, and those eating that bread should live?¶ 230.
Did Jesus die only for those who become members of some church denomination? or for whom did he die?¶ 230.
Define sin; and what is the penalty for sin?¶ 231.
How was the life of Jesus made an offering for sin, or a sin-offering?¶ 231.
Would it have been possible for any of the human race to get life everlasting, except for the ransom-sacrifice?¶ 232.
Of what value are the pictures made in the Old Testament to us in studying the New? and what did the bullock slain on the atonement day picture relative to Jesus?¶ 233.
What did the court surrounding the tabernacle picture or typify?¶ 233.
What was foreshadowed by the slaying of the bullock in the court? ¶ 233.
How was the ransom-price provided?¶ 233.
What pictured the beginning of the sin-offering?¶ 234.
What was done with the blood of the bullock after it was slain?¶ 234.
What was pictured by the high priest in the Holy? and what by his entering the Most Holy?¶ 234.
For whom did Jesus give himself as a sin-offering?¶ 235.
What was the purpose of the giving of the law covenant? and could it operate to deliver man from death?¶ 236.
Was the shedding of Jesus' blood necessary for the remission of sin?¶ 237.
How was the entrance of Jesus into heaven foreshadowed in the tabernacle service? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 237.
What is the distinction between the death of Adam and the death of Jesus?¶ 238.
By dying as a man, what did Jesus provide for man's benefit?¶ 238.
Give an illustration showing how Jesus' death provided the price for the release of the human race from bondage.¶¶ 239-241.
Could the perfect man Jesus deliver the human race from death and remain alive as a man?¶ 242.
What must Jesus do in order to redeem mankind?¶ 242.
What did he produce upon Calvary?¶ 242.
Where must the value of that ransom-price be presented?¶ 242.
Why is it necessary for man to be brought to the knowledge of the truth after the paying of the ransom-price?¶ 243.
Who shall have the knowledge of this truth? Give Scriptural proof.¶ 243.
What is the great pivotal truth of the divine plan?¶ 243.
When the human race comes to a knowledge of the value of the ransom-sacrifice, what effect will it have upon the ones who appreciate it?¶ 243.
[245]>Nisan was the beginning of months in the Jewish religious year; and the fourteenth day of Nisan, A.D. 33, found Jesus of Nazareth dead and in the tomb. The hopes of his followers were dashed to the ground. Looking back to the promises made by Jehovah to faithful Abraham, his disciples and other associates had believed Jesus to be the promised Messiah and trusted that he would be the deliverer of Israel from Roman bondage and would also be the instrument for the blessing, through Israel, of all the nations of the earth. But now he who they had hoped would redeem Israel (Luke 24:21) was dead. They were perplexed and overwhelmed. Seemingly they did not expect him to rise again from the dead, nor did they know at that time that Jehovah would not suffer the flesh of his Holy One to corrupt. The conduct of the disciples at this time, as well as of those who were in full sympathy with them, shows that they did not expect his resurrection. The body was carefully wrapped and placed in the tomb with myrrh, aloes, and spices, evidently to prevent decomposition. The subsequent great sorrow of the women at the tomb and their belief that the body of Jesus had been wrongfully removed and hid elsewhere, also the perplexity of the disciples, all tends to show that they did not have any hope or expectation of the resurrection of Jesus. Then we have the positive statement: "For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead".—John 20:9.
[246]The disciples were Jews and it might be supposed that they were somewhat acquainted with the Scriptures. We remember, however, that they were not learned men; and even if they had been acquainted with the text of the Scriptures they could not have had a very clear understanding of them at that time; just as we now see there are many wonderful truths in the Bible which have been there for centuries and which Christians never understood until recently. Now as we look at the inspired Word of God we can see some texts in the Old Testament which clearly refer to the resurrection of Jesus, and which texts must have been familiar to many Jews at the time Jesus was crucified. For information we note some of these texts here.
[247]The prophet Job pointed to the time of redemption and deliverance when he said: "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth". (Job 19:25) If the Redeemer was to stand at the latter day upon the earth, then he must arise from the dead after he had provided the redemptive price by his death; hence this Scripture must foreshadow his resurrection. The psalmist David wrote prophetically concerning Jesus' resurrection when he said: "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:10,11) We have the inspired testimony of the Apostle that the Prophet did there refer to the resurrection of Jesus.—Acts 2:27-31; 13:35-37.
[248]Again the prophet David wrote concerning Jesus, the Savior of the world: "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness". (Psalm 17:15) The awakening clearly means the awakening out of death. Jesus was awakened out of death in the express image of the Father. (Hebrews 1:2) Again the Psalmist wrote: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men". (Psalm 68:18) Clearly the apostle Paul refers to this same Scripture in Ephesians 4:8, showing that the Psalmist referred to the resurrection of Jesus.
[249]The prophet Isaiah wrote: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth for ever." (Isaiah 9:6,7) Here it is clearly stated that the One who would hold this exalted position, the Messiah, is to be the everlasting Father. Father means life-giver, and it would be impossible for Jesus to be the great Life-giver to man unless he was raised from the dead.
[250]Again the prophet Isaiah described the sufferings of Jesus and his death and subsequent resurrection when he wrote: "The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.... He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.... He was taken from prison and from judgment: ... He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death: ... when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed.... He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many." (Isaiah 53:6-11) He could not have poured out his soul unto death and afterward see the travail of his soul and be satisfied unless he should be raised from the dead.
[251]These Scriptures clearly foretell the resurrection of Jesus. Besides this, Jesus had told his disciples while in Galilee that he would be put to death and rise from the dead. (Luke 24:6,7) "And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry." (Matthew 17:22,23) But it may not be expected of them that they should understand the meaning of these Old Testament Scriptures as referring to the resurrection of the Lord. They were not men of great learning. They were poor and followed humble occupations. They had doubtless not had the advantage of a great amount of education; but a stronger reason is that the holy spirit had not then been given and their minds had not been illuminated, and it is not to be expected that they would understand then the deep things of God's Word. (1 Corinthians 2:14) Nor is it at all surprising that they had forgotten some of the sayings of Jesus concerning his betrayal, his death and resurrection. We must remember that they loved Jesus very devotedly; and uppermost in their minds was the hope that he would be the deliverer of Israel. Only five days before his death they had joined him in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the common people hailed him with gladness and joy. (Matthew 21:1-11) His death was so very sudden, so cruel, the shock so terrible, that the minds of these faithful disciples and others who loved him dearly were stunned. They were truly overwhelmed with sorrow and grief. He had been rudely snatched from them; unjustly tried, brutally condemned, and then subjected to the most ignominious death known to man, the death of the cross.
[252]Clearly in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah above noted, Jesus was put to death as an evil one, thereby making his grave with the wicked; and he was laid in the sepulchre of a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph.—Matthew 27:57.
[253]Little is said as to the doings of the disciples and their associates immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus when he was laid away in the tomb. The good women went and "beheld where he was laid". No doubt little else was done. After 6 o'clock p.m. of that day was the beginning of the sabbath day, and under the law the Jews must rest; hence we are not to expect that they did much of anything. Nor could it have been a day of much rest to them. It was a day of great sorrow. They could do no work to divert their minds from the terrible shock caused by the crucifixion of the Lord. The rest must have been one merely of cessation from labor. Surely they had little rest of body or peace of mind. It was a day of sorrowful waiting for them, because tomorrow they would go to the tomb. The sabbath ended at 6 o'clock p.m., but the night followed, which prevented them from visiting the tomb then.
[254]The morning following was the first day of the week; and early that morning, before it became very light, Mary Magdalene and other good women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered unto him, hastened to the Savior's tomb. When they reached there the angel of the Lord appeared unto them, saying: "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." (Matthew 28:5-8) This news to these faithful women sounded too good to be true. They were dazed and bewildered; yet with joy they hurried away to deliver the message to others who loved the Lord.
[255]Here we have the proof that the resurrection of Jesus is one of the strings upon the harp of God, yielding great joy to those who hear its blessed sound. The first human being who heard of the resurrection rejoiced. How much more joy there must have been in heaven at that hour!
[256]Angel means messenger; that is, one who is sent on a mission as a representative or deputy, or messenger of God. These holy messengers or angels always have access to the Father, Jehovah. (Matthew 18:10) We should expect, of course, that these holy ones of the heavenly host would sing praise and give utterance to joy before the Lord at every progressive step of his plan. These angels inhabit the heavens, the high place. And so the Psalmist writes of them: "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts". (Psalm 148:1,2) The Bible abounds with many instances wherein God has used these holy angels as messengers. He communicated with Abraham by his angels (Genesis 22:15); also with Jacob. (Genesis 31:11) God appeared unto Moses by his angel. (Exodus 3:2) He also delivered a message to Elijah by his angel. (1 Kings 19:5) These holy messengers of God guarded the interests of Jesus at all times, from the moment he left the heavenly courts to become the man Jesus for the purpose of redeeming the world of mankind. (Zechariah 3:1-7) The angel of the Lord announced to Mary that she was to be the mother of the babe Jesus. (Luke 1:31) When she gave birth to this wonderful child, the angel of the Lord brought the message to the faithful shepherds, and the great multitude of the heavenly hosts joined together with that angel in praising, God.—Luke 2:9-11.
[257]We may be sure that these faithful, holy angels, as God's instruments, were carefully watching every step of Jesus from the time of his birth up to the moment of his resurrection. With eagerness they would watch and wait to see if Jesus fully met all the requirements of God's law. They evidently knew that his full compliance would meet with the marvelous reward of a resurrection from the dead. It was one of these faithful messengers that the Lord sent from heaven to roll back the stone from the door of the tomb at the resurrection of the Master. What great joy must have filled the heavenly courts now when they beheld Jesus, by the power of God, triumphant over death and the grave!
[258]Lucifer, who became Satan, who had once been associated with the holy angels and who had seduced some of their fellow angels, had for centuries opposed Jehovah and specially tried to destroy Jesus. Jesus had been sent into the world that he might destroy the works of Satan; and now, having been raised from the dead, he would ultimately "destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil," which destruction would guarantee the deliverance of the human race. (Hebrews 2:14) Now Jesus had broken the bonds of death, being raised by Jehovah to power and glory, demonstrating the fact that he was fully approved by Jehovah. He now proved that he was worthy to be praised; and without question he received the unlimited praise of all the heavenly host. The Revelator says: "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor and glory, and blessing." —Revelation 5:11,12.
[259]It was not their previous knowledge of the Scriptures and their faith in them that Christ Jesus would arise from the dead which induced the disciples to believe that he was risen, but it was what they actually saw and experienced that led them to this conclusion. The knowledge gained by experience, coupled with the knowledge of the Scriptures subsequently acquired by them, not only established beyond a doubt in their own minds the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, but it emboldened them to declare the message on every opportune occasion to others and to emphasize this great doctrine of truth in their epistles to the church.
[260]It will profit us here to consider the Scriptural testimony given by the Evangelist in proof that Jesus did arise from the dead three days after his crucifixion. There have always been some that denied the resurrection and hence it is always well to fortify ourselves against such denial, as well as to strengthen our own faith. It must be remembered that the writers of these gospels were not learned men; they were not such men as would arrange a fraudulent scheme to deceive anybody. There would be no occasion for them to do this. The fact that they did not expect a resurrection and gave evidence of that by their conduct and their speech at and just after the Lord's death is strong circumstantial evidence that their testimony subsequently given is true. Besides this, the testimony itself bears all the earmarks of truth.
[261]At the time Jesus died there was an earthquake. The Roman centurion who stood by exclaimed "Truly this was the son of God!" "When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed and there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre."—Matthew 27:57-61.
[262]The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, basing their conclusion upon the words of the prophets. They feared that Jesus might arise from the dead. They knew they were guilty of having him put to death and they hoped that would be the end of him. "Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first." (Matthew 27:62-64) When the Roman governor heard their request he granted them a Roman guard, saying to them: "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."—Matthew 27;65,66.
[263]The Lord Jehovah must have held these Pharisees in derision, who presumed by having the stone sealed and a Roman guard placed at the entrance that they could prevent his bringing Jesus out of the tomb. God could have easily resurrected the Lord without removing the stone. He chose, however, to do the latter. And in addition to raising up Jesus as a divine being, he also removed the body in his own good way and to his own good place, that it might not see corruption, even as he had promised.—Psalm 16:10.
[264]This Roman guard kept a close vigil over the tomb during Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night; and early Sunday morning the angel of the Lord appeared and rolled back the stone. The keepers testified that the countenance of the angel was like lightning and his raiment as white as snow, and these watchmen did shake because of fear.
[265]The sabbath day now ended, the dawn of the first day of the week being here, the faithful women were the first ones to start for the tomb. "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me."—Matthew 28:1-10.
[266]There must have been great excitement about that time among some of the people of Jerusalem. These faithful women ran to tell the disciples, while the Roman soldiers hurried into the city to notify their employers of what had happened. "Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and showed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."—Matthew 28:11-15.
[267]The account given by St. Luke is almost identical with that given by St. Matthew. Likewise the testimony given by St. Mark. St. John also gives an accurate account of the resurrection of the Lord. We insert here the testimony of each of these witnesses for the purpose of showing that the four testified substantially to the same facts and fully corroborated each other.
[268]"And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he said unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."—Mark 16:1-7.
[269]"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: and as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."—Luke 24:1-10.
[270]"The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, 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 sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed."—John 20:1-8.
[271]Added to the testimony of these four witnesses is that of St. Paul, who had a miraculous vision of the Lord on his way to Damascus. Concerning the resurrection of the dead the Apostle later testified: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures; and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."—1 Corinthians 15:3-8.
[272]St. John, subsequently writing concerning the Lord, emphasizes the fact that they saw with their own eyes, saying: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."—1 John 1:1-4.
[273]Thus we see there were more than five hundred witnesses who testified to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This alone should establish the fact beyond any question of a doubt; but when we see the reason for the Lord's resurrection, the whole matter not only becomes clear but brings great joy to the heart of one who does see it. We must furthermore consider that these faithful witnesses of the Lord did not go to some isolated place to give their testimony concerning his resurrection, but they gave it openly before the tribunals, before Jews and heathen philosophers, courtiers, lawyers, as well as the common people. They did not wait until years afterward to begin to give their testimony concerning his resurrection, but did so immediately after the great event took place. They were so bold in declaring it that had there been a possibility of refuting their testimony we may be sure that the Pharisees would have attempted it. They did not give this testimony for the purpose of gaining fame, glory, or riches. But, on the contrary, they knew that they would bring upon themselves the indignation of the Pharisees and rulers and would expose themselves to suffering and death.
[274]At Pentecost, only fifty days after the resurrection of the Lord, the apostle Peter stood forth before the multitude and proclaimed to the men of Judea and all that dwelt in Jerusalem concerning the resurrection of the Lord. In his eloquence he exclaimed: "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ". (Acts 2:36) So persuasive and convincing was the Apostle's argument that the Jews who had participated in having the Lord put to death "were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Some of them suffered death and martyrdom because they preached Christ and his resurrection. (Acts 7:59) The apostles and early Christians received much persecution because they testified boldly that Jesus was raised from the dead. They would not have done this had they been trying to carry out some fraudulent imposition. Their motive in preaching these doctrines was to be witnesses for the Lord concerning the fulfillment of his great plan for the redemption and deliverance of mankind.