The First Easter
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
THE FIRST EASTER: ANNO DOMINI 30
The Apostle Paul, the “One untimely born,” gives us a brief summary of the appearance of the risen Jesus. He avoids the prominence of the women, after all, women in the ancient world, were not considered reliable witnesses, and Paul’s point is to provide proof of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-11). So Paul abbreviates for his purpose, but can we put all the gospel narratives together in one brief narrative? We can, if we recognize that this is four independent recounting of personal experiences retold many times. There was no effort to make them read the same, as they were compiled in different places, by different people, using diverse witnesses. So let us begin!
On the first day of the week, after the Sabbath was past, some women among the believers, not including the mother of Jesus, but which did include the mother of James, Salome, and Mary Magdalene, will leave together from wherever they have been staying, as they are all from the region of Galilee. It is still dark, but they plan to arrive at the tomb wisely as the sun provides first light. On their way the earth trembles, an angelic force rolls back the large heavy stone. The guard that had been left to secure the tomb cannot prevent anything; they are stunned, overwhelmed, and laid out like dead men. In time some will have to inform the high priest. They are in trouble facing severe punishment, perhaps even execution for their failure. The bribe by the priest is an easy way out, for the guards, with silver in their pouch, to lie that the disciples stole the body, is better than the governor’s wrath (Mt. 28:2-4).
The women enter the tomb unhindered, but it is empty. Two young men appear in dazzling apparel, and one will tell them what has occurred. Still, as Magdalene will tell John, she is still confused and uncertain. Weeping nearby she will be the first to encounter the risen Lord. Then the other women as well are greeted by Jesus (Mt. 28:9). But they are not believed; it is just a woman’s tale (Lk. 24:11). Magdalene will, however, partly persuade two, and they will then run to the tomb. John the swifter arrives first, but only peers in, while Peter will rush in, they see the linen cloth, and the face napkin rolled up separately. The linen, with a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes in its folds, will retain a form, as if it still enfolded a body that was now no longer there. Of course, John believes, no one could steal a body and leave behind such wrappings. He will then place this first in his narrative, because of its impact on him (Jn. 20:1-10).
Jesus will then appear to Cleopas and his companion in the country, it would seem Luke actually spoke with him (Lk. 24:13-35). That evening Jesus will appear to the ten as they eat, and He will join them in eating (24:41-43). A week later He appears to the entire company, including Thomas, now bringing all of them at last together (Jn. 20:26-29). Then at the lakeside in Galilee He appears to Peter, James, John, Thomas, Nathaniel, and two others, (Jn. 21:1-23) here Peter is taken aside and challenged personally. Jesus will then appear to upwards of 500 on a familiar Galilean mountain. Then appear to James, his brother, who will become the leader of the church in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 15:7).
Some will say that what has just been attempted is not possible. That one cannot harmonize all the narratives, and witnesses. But remember Matthew has his own witness, someone close to the High Priest, and he habitually identifies only the one speaking. Mark, so tradition says, relates the witness of Peter. Luke as a careful historian, has a number of good witnesses, someone within Herod’s household, a later convert perhaps, someone at the foot of the cross (a soldier?), and Cleopas. John, as I maintain, is the beloved disciple, an eyewitness to most, and it is apparent everywhere, with the events of Thomas, Magdalene, and at the Sea of Galilee. Yes, Jesus, “showed Himself alive after His passion with many infallible proofs, being seen of them for forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God” (Acts. 1:3).
