The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is astounding. That one Sunday was the most incredible day in history -- filled with excitement, emotion, miracles, and drama. Because of His resurrection, there was a domino effect of several incredible supernatural events that occurred on that very same day. I'm going to list 5 of them.
1) ANGELS APPEAR!
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? (Matthew 28:1-5)
Because Jesus had to be buried before the Sabbath began at 6pm Friday (He died at 3pm), they didn't have time to finish anointing him with spices. That's why they were headed to the tomb Sunday morning with spices. Inside the tomb, the women saw two angels who talked to them.
2) JESUS APPEARS FOR THE FIRST TIME - BUT NOT EASILY RECOGNIZED!
She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:14-17)
Why didn't Mary recognize Jesus? Somehow, to Mary, He looked different. Either He was physically changed, or God make her see Him differently. One thing is for sure -- Jesus didn't resurrect from the dead to simply resume His former life on earth and go back to His normal routine! He was different in the sense that He just conquered the grave, fulfilled His mission, and would be ascending from earth into Heaven soon, exalted as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
3) JESUS SUDDENLY APPEARS TO 2 OF HIS FOLLOWERS, THEN DISAPPEARS!
That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. (Luke 24:13-16)
They were His followers, but didn't recognize Him at first. Later, when they invited Him to eat with them, their eyes were opened, then Jesus disappeared!
As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! (Luke 24:30-31)
4) JESUS SUDDENLY APPEARS BEHIND LOCKED DOORS!
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! (John 20:19-20)
It's almost like the spiritual part of Jesus was becoming more evident or dominant than the physical part. After all, His physical body would be soon translated totally into a spiritual one in 40 days when He ascended from earth into the clouds.
5) OTHER PEOPLE RESURRECTED TOO!
Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. (Matthew 27:50-53)
For me, this is the strangest occurrence that resulted from the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Other people were resurrected too! These previously dead "godly" people walked into the city and were seen by many people. Can you imagine? When Jesus rose from being dead was that resurrection so powerful that it raised up others around Him as well? I wish there was more detail about this but there is none to be found. We can only speculate. Were these people some of His followers that had died? Did they appear to their relatives? Did they remain alive once they resurrected and then die a second time? Or did they not die again, but ascend into Heaven when Jesus did?
Maybe this last event happened just to give us a picture, a model, of our ultimate destiny as believers and Christ-followers. In other words, as a result of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, our tomb will someday be opened, and we will come alive again, resurrected into eternal life with Jesus forever in Heaven, never to die again.
No doubt the resurrection of Jesus has huge implications for us. It gives us hope and promise of our own resurrection from the dead, to have eternal life with Him forever.
It's time to praise God!
