WEBVTT - Chapter 19: He is Risen 0:00:00.490 --> 0:00:03.970 And he said unto them, Be not affrighted. Ye seek 0:00:04.030 --> 0:00:08.889 Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified. He is risen. He 0:00:08.950 --> 0:00:12.450 is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. 0:00:13.490 --> 0:00:19.320 Mark 16.6 Thank you, God, that through your promise in 0:00:19.360 --> 0:00:24.960 the garden, we were given new life in Jesus. Even 0:00:25.020 --> 0:00:29.120 though his body was bruised by the crucifixion, his act 0:00:29.200 --> 0:00:33.159 of resurrection, crushed the head of the serpent Satan forever. 0:00:34.820 --> 0:00:38.379 For in doing so, you took the power away from 0:00:38.479 --> 0:00:43.159 sin and death, Jesus. When I am tempted to go 0:00:43.240 --> 0:00:47.360 back to the sins of my past, remind me, Holy Spirit, 0:00:48.159 --> 0:00:52.860 that they are not there. Remind me that through the death, burial, 0:00:52.920 --> 0:00:57.510 and resurrection of Jesus, my sins were washed away by 0:00:57.550 --> 0:00:58.380 the blood of the Lamb. 0:00:59.750 --> 0:01:00.610 Hallelujah. 0:01:02.060 --> 0:01:06.770 Thank you, Jesus, that through your sacrifice I have new 0:01:06.830 --> 0:01:11.350 life and new power. Thank you, Lord, that the stone 0:01:11.390 --> 0:01:16.229 was rolled away and that the tomb is empty. I 0:01:16.290 --> 0:01:21.730 choose to celebrate because an empty tomb means an occupied 0:01:21.830 --> 0:01:26.220 throne ready for me to approach, to tap into the 0:01:26.340 --> 0:01:36.530 greatest power, provision, and love I've ever known. In Jesus' name, amen. 0:01:37.680 --> 0:01:41.240 Stay tuned to immerse yourself in the greatest stories ever 0:01:41.300 --> 0:01:45.380 told from Pray.com's podcast, Heroes in the Bible. 0:01:47.620 --> 0:01:50.360 Hi, I'm Dr. Tony Evans, your host for Heroes in 0:01:50.380 --> 0:01:54.030 the Bible, Jesus. If you've been enjoying this series, please 0:01:54.090 --> 0:01:56.430 write a review and let me know how this podcast 0:01:56.630 --> 0:02:00.190 has impacted your life. Welcome to the greatest story ever told. 0:02:00.940 --> 0:02:03.020 It is the story of a shepherd's heart for his sheep, 0:02:03.220 --> 0:02:06.580 a father's love for his children, and a hero's triumph 0:02:06.740 --> 0:02:10.560 over death and darkness. This is a story that continues 0:02:10.600 --> 0:02:13.930 to shape and mold the world around us, bringing the 0:02:13.970 --> 0:02:16.389 divine heart of God right into the hearts of you 0:02:16.430 --> 0:02:19.790 and me. This episode can be summed up in three 0:02:19.930 --> 0:02:20.850 beautiful words. 0:02:21.370 --> 0:02:22.649 He is risen. 0:02:24.250 --> 0:02:27.700 The resurrection story is foundational to our faith in Jesus. Why? 0:02:28.200 --> 0:02:31.420 Because what power does Jesus have over sin and death 0:02:31.480 --> 0:02:33.889 if he did not rise from the grave? I believe 0:02:33.930 --> 0:02:36.070 Paul said it best when he said, for if there 0:02:36.150 --> 0:02:38.690 is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not 0:02:38.810 --> 0:02:41.720 been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, 0:02:41.760 --> 0:02:45.460 then all our preaching is useless and your faith is useless. 0:02:45.980 --> 0:02:48.399 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith 0:02:48.540 --> 0:02:51.459 is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 0:02:51.940 --> 0:02:54.640 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ 0:02:54.740 --> 0:02:57.420 are lost. And if our hope in Christ is only 0:02:57.460 --> 0:03:00.260 for this life, we are more to be pitied than 0:03:00.400 --> 0:03:03.500 anyone in the world. The resurrection is the proof of 0:03:03.580 --> 0:03:08.040 Christ's power and the validation of our faith. This story 0:03:08.080 --> 0:03:10.829 gives us a glimpse into the hearts and minds of Jesus' 0:03:10.889 --> 0:03:14.549 followers as they wrestled with his absence. They are caught 0:03:14.590 --> 0:03:19.190 in a whirlwind of doubt, shame, and fear. One could 0:03:19.250 --> 0:03:21.510 say that they are trapped in a grave of their 0:03:21.669 --> 0:03:25.100 own and in need of resurrection. In the next few episodes, 0:03:25.220 --> 0:03:28.640 we will see the slow and beautiful process of redemption unfold. 0:03:29.380 --> 0:03:31.960 The dark and fearful night will be replaced with the 0:03:32.040 --> 0:03:35.540 rising sun of hope. Jesus is going to restore what 0:03:35.600 --> 0:03:39.840 was broken and retrieve what was previously lost. Before the 0:03:39.880 --> 0:03:42.810 story of the resurrection begins, we will have a prelude. 0:03:43.600 --> 0:03:46.150 We will be taken to the prophet Daniel, waiting in 0:03:46.210 --> 0:03:49.270 darkness to be devoured by lions. His journey out of 0:03:49.310 --> 0:03:52.510 the lion's den is a grand foreshadowing of things to come. 0:03:53.290 --> 0:03:55.730 I hope you enjoy this episode and breathe a sigh 0:03:55.770 --> 0:04:00.370 of relief, for the King is alive. Here is episode 19, 0:04:00.370 --> 0:04:01.490 He is Risen. 0:04:01.510 --> 0:04:13.620 Prelude to chapter 19. The den was dark and smelled 0:04:13.910 --> 0:04:18.100 of rotten flesh. A small sliver of light peeked through 0:04:18.140 --> 0:04:21.979 an opening in the ceiling. However, it was not enough 0:04:22.020 --> 0:04:25.380 to expose the source of the foul smell creeping from 0:04:25.420 --> 0:04:29.920 the back of the cave. Daniel shifted his feet, trying 0:04:29.960 --> 0:04:33.930 to find sturdy footing. He walked forward, looking for the 0:04:34.029 --> 0:04:37.250 edge of the cave. As he walked, he could hear 0:04:37.570 --> 0:04:40.830 a deep rumbling coming from the depths of the den. 0:04:42.550 --> 0:04:45.810 Daniel's eyes were adjusting to the darkness. He picked up 0:04:45.850 --> 0:04:48.950 a stone next to him, prepared to fight if need be. 0:04:50.150 --> 0:04:55.060 He prayed to God, trusting in his goodness. Then he 0:04:55.120 --> 0:04:59.820 heard them. The low growls of the lions echoed off 0:04:59.880 --> 0:05:04.260 the den walls. The sound shook the earth below Daniel's feet. 0:05:05.160 --> 0:05:08.140 He could feel their hungry growls deep in his chest. 0:05:09.390 --> 0:05:13.470 A swift shadow lurked across the den walls. Daniel turned around, 0:05:13.730 --> 0:05:16.610 ready for the lion to pounce. Then he spotted another 0:05:16.670 --> 0:05:19.670 shadow in the corner of his eye. He turned around. 0:05:21.070 --> 0:05:24.430 Two lions had cornered him and were ready to kill. 0:05:26.540 --> 0:05:29.839 As the lions prepared their attack, a bright light broke 0:05:29.860 --> 0:05:33.160 through the darkness like a sharp blade. The light was 0:05:33.260 --> 0:05:37.300 brighter than lightning and far more blinding. The earth shook 0:05:37.380 --> 0:05:40.690 below the lions' feet, and Daniel could hear the sound 0:05:40.730 --> 0:05:44.470 of heaven burst forth from the light. This was a 0:05:44.529 --> 0:05:49.390 light too radiant for words. Its power burst forth like 0:05:49.430 --> 0:05:52.250 a mighty wind and sent the lions flying through the 0:05:52.350 --> 0:05:56.180 air onto their backs. They trembled on the floor, running 0:05:56.260 --> 0:05:59.480 away from its power. As Daniel looked up, the light 0:05:59.600 --> 0:06:02.880 burst again, this time rolling lions back into the depths 0:06:02.940 --> 0:06:08.320 of the den. Their jaws were forced shut. Then, in 0:06:08.370 --> 0:06:13.909 an instant, the light vanished. All returned to darkness, and 0:06:13.950 --> 0:06:16.570 Daniel sat in the middle of the den, praying to 0:06:16.610 --> 0:06:20.570 the Lord. The next day, the stone doors were opened, 0:06:21.330 --> 0:06:25.570 and Daniel walked through unscathed. His enemies had tried to 0:06:25.630 --> 0:06:29.430 kill him by handing him over to the lion's den. However, 0:06:30.110 --> 0:06:35.450 death was pushed back with force. God had protected Daniel 0:06:35.510 --> 0:06:39.800 from the lions, and he emerged from the tomb victorious 0:06:39.860 --> 0:06:44.920 over death. As Daniel left the darkened cave of death 0:06:45.320 --> 0:06:47.800 into the light of the morning, the kings of the 0:06:47.860 --> 0:06:52.350 earth bowed before the God who had rescued him. Daniel 0:06:52.370 --> 0:06:56.250 had spent the night with death itself. and passed through unscathed. 0:06:57.110 --> 0:07:00.690 He was a foreshadowing to the resurrection to come, where 0:07:00.750 --> 0:07:04.080 God himself would enter into a lion's den of sorts. 0:07:04.839 --> 0:07:07.200 The light of the world would make the beasts of 0:07:07.260 --> 0:07:12.540 death flee in fear. To God, death had no power. 0:07:15.760 --> 0:07:22.840 Chapter 19 He is Risen Three days had passed since 0:07:22.880 --> 0:07:27.120 the crucifixion of Jesus. The last hours of night were 0:07:27.200 --> 0:07:31.620 cool and at rest. The quiet chirping of crickets filled 0:07:31.660 --> 0:07:35.940 the brisk evening air. The stars spattered across the skies 0:07:36.260 --> 0:07:41.120 like white paint to black canvas. The firmament stretched far 0:07:41.160 --> 0:07:44.540 into the clear skyline, revealing a slight sliver of dull 0:07:44.600 --> 0:07:49.180 light rising from the east. Two guards lay outside the 0:07:49.220 --> 0:07:52.550 grave of Jesus. They had been given strict orders to 0:07:52.610 --> 0:07:56.050 lay awake and keep watch. for the Pharisees were worried 0:07:56.390 --> 0:08:00.650 someone might try to steal his body. So the guards 0:08:00.730 --> 0:08:05.050 rested with their backs against the stone entrance. They dozed 0:08:05.290 --> 0:08:08.350 on and off, enjoying the last bit of evening before 0:08:08.410 --> 0:08:13.380 standing at attention again. It was gone, and the sun's 0:08:13.420 --> 0:08:17.100 rays gently peeked over the hills in the distance. The 0:08:17.120 --> 0:08:20.040 guards rose to look at the early sunbeams breaking through 0:08:20.060 --> 0:08:23.080 the trees. They stood to their feet and stretched. 0:08:23.630 --> 0:08:26.090 It's easy guarding a dead man, one. 0:08:26.010 --> 0:08:29.770 Of them joked. The two men stood at attention, watching 0:08:29.810 --> 0:08:34.200 the morning light paint every plant a bright color. However, 0:08:34.860 --> 0:08:39.300 a different light had emerged from behind them. Brighter than 0:08:39.380 --> 0:08:43.280 lightning and far more blinding. The earth shook below the guards' 0:08:43.340 --> 0:08:46.600 feet and they could hear the grinding of stone behind them. 0:08:47.580 --> 0:08:50.520 They turned and the large stone wall of the grave 0:08:50.830 --> 0:08:54.520 was being rolled away by an angel. Out from the 0:08:54.580 --> 0:08:58.460 tomb was a light too radiant for words. Its power 0:08:58.800 --> 0:09:01.500 burst forth like a mighty wind and sent the guards 0:09:01.600 --> 0:09:05.250 flying through the air onto their backs. They trembled on 0:09:05.280 --> 0:09:09.689 the floor, shielding their eyes from the shimmering grave. As 0:09:09.710 --> 0:09:12.770 they looked up, the light burst again, this time rolling 0:09:12.809 --> 0:09:16.150 them back into the trees. The guards lay there like 0:09:16.290 --> 0:09:21.070 dead men. Later that morning, when the Sabbath had passed, 0:09:21.870 --> 0:09:26.170 Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome were 0:09:26.190 --> 0:09:28.910 bringing an array of spices and flowers to the tomb. 0:09:29.910 --> 0:09:32.790 The sun was shining brightly behind them as they walked 0:09:32.830 --> 0:09:36.839 towards the tomb. The birds fluttered from tree to tree 0:09:36.940 --> 0:09:41.020 above them, singing sweet morning melodies. Their songs were a 0:09:41.100 --> 0:09:45.620 pleasant sound to their sorrowful souls. The death of Jesus 0:09:45.940 --> 0:09:51.179 had made them undone. All of Jesus' followers, especially the 0:09:51.210 --> 0:09:55.850 disciples themselves, had hidden themselves in fear. Now that the 0:09:55.890 --> 0:09:59.970 Lord was dead, the Pharisees had been particularly brash about 0:10:00.140 --> 0:10:04.620 punishment for those who followed Him. Visiting the tomb alone 0:10:04.679 --> 0:10:08.329 was an act of defiance. However, the three women did 0:10:08.370 --> 0:10:11.830 not care. They had come to anoint the body of Jesus, 0:10:12.390 --> 0:10:15.370 since He did not get a proper burial, according to tradition. 0:10:16.290 --> 0:10:18.170 We will need the guards to help us roll away 0:10:18.210 --> 0:10:19.010 the stone entrance. 0:10:19.690 --> 0:10:20.430 Salome said. 0:10:21.010 --> 0:10:23.630 That stone is far too heavy for just two guards 0:10:23.690 --> 0:10:24.150 to move. 0:10:24.710 --> 0:10:28.990 Mary replied. As they approached the tomb, the women saw 0:10:29.050 --> 0:10:33.020 that there were no guards standing at attention. In fact, 0:10:33.400 --> 0:10:37.340 the stone entrance had been removed completely. The women gasped 0:10:37.740 --> 0:10:40.600 and dropped their things. They ran towards the tomb and 0:10:40.620 --> 0:10:45.520 looked inside. They slowly entered the dark cave. They looked 0:10:45.540 --> 0:10:49.850 at the place where Jesus' body lay. His burial linens 0:10:49.880 --> 0:10:53.770 were there, neatly folded. The women looked at each other 0:10:53.910 --> 0:10:54.530 in amazement. 0:10:55.470 --> 0:10:56.589 Who has taken him? 0:10:57.030 --> 0:10:57.710 Mary whispered. 0:10:58.950 --> 0:11:00.650 You seek Jesus of Nazareth. 0:11:01.170 --> 0:11:05.070 A friendly voice asked. The women gasped and turned to 0:11:05.110 --> 0:11:08.170 the right of the tomb. A young man sat on 0:11:08.200 --> 0:11:11.579 a stone stool. He was draped in a long white robe. 0:11:12.460 --> 0:11:16.599 The women screamed and began to run. Please wait, he exclaimed. 0:11:17.120 --> 0:11:17.980 Do not be alarmed. 0:11:18.460 --> 0:11:22.120 The women stopped. The young man raised his arms into 0:11:22.160 --> 0:11:23.300 the air and said. 0:11:24.280 --> 0:11:28.520 You seek Jesus who was crucified, but he is not here. 0:11:29.660 --> 0:11:32.920 He is risen. They looked at the empty bed where 0:11:32.980 --> 0:11:36.820 Jesus once lay. It was absurd to think that one 0:11:36.860 --> 0:11:41.219 could rise again after such a brutal death. Yet there 0:11:41.260 --> 0:11:46.210 was a small feeling stirring up from within them. Something 0:11:46.300 --> 0:11:49.400 deep in their hearts told them that may be true. 0:11:50.460 --> 0:11:53.570 Their teacher, who had hung bloodied and beaten on a cross, 0:11:54.410 --> 0:11:58.250 might be alive. They looked at the young man dressed 0:11:58.290 --> 0:12:01.370 in white. He smiled and pointed towards the entrance. 0:12:01.970 --> 0:12:05.860 Do not stay here. Go and tell the disciples he 0:12:05.940 --> 0:12:09.580 is on his way to Galilee. There you will meet him. 0:12:10.340 --> 0:12:13.120 Now go and be sure to tell Peter. 0:12:13.740 --> 0:12:16.160 The women picked up their garments and ran as fast 0:12:16.200 --> 0:12:18.850 as they could back to Galilee. They were not quite 0:12:18.910 --> 0:12:22.030 sure what to believe. The thought of resurrection was far 0:12:22.090 --> 0:12:25.190 from their minds. Did someone take his body? Was he 0:12:25.210 --> 0:12:30.719 a ghost? They were excited, afraid, and confused. However, a 0:12:30.880 --> 0:12:34.100 fire burned in them. They knew that they had to 0:12:34.140 --> 0:12:37.960 tell Peter. The women ran with wind beneath their feet. 0:12:38.740 --> 0:12:41.980 Fear had overpowered them. As they ran, they were more 0:12:42.020 --> 0:12:45.689 and more convinced that Jesus' body had been taken. They 0:12:45.730 --> 0:12:49.640 doubted the young man's words. Near the sea there was 0:12:49.660 --> 0:12:52.460 a small home that the disciples were hiding away in. 0:12:53.580 --> 0:12:58.470 They were quiet and brooding. Silence filled the room. They 0:12:58.530 --> 0:13:02.209 stared blankly at one another, unable to speak or move. 0:13:03.530 --> 0:13:07.250 Their king was dead and they ran when he needed 0:13:07.290 --> 0:13:11.340 them most. James could not stop thinking about how he 0:13:11.400 --> 0:13:14.059 fell asleep when Jesus had asked him to pray in 0:13:14.080 --> 0:13:18.980 the garden. He winced at the memory. He's gone. James whispered. 0:13:19.100 --> 0:13:21.540 And I did nothing to help him. I did nothing. 0:13:22.160 --> 0:13:26.500 James slammed his fists on the table and wept. Peter 0:13:26.540 --> 0:13:30.239 stared blankly out the window. He was beyond tears at 0:13:30.260 --> 0:13:35.150 this point. His face was emotionless and his heart devoid 0:13:35.490 --> 0:13:36.250 of all feeling. 0:13:36.929 --> 0:13:40.130 At least you didn't deny him in front of a child. 0:13:40.630 --> 0:13:45.030 Peter said in a monotone voice. He continued to stare. 0:13:44.809 --> 0:13:45.290 At the window. 0:13:47.120 --> 0:13:51.040 I was there when he was getting beaten. I watched 0:13:51.140 --> 0:13:54.630 as they kicked him down the temple steps like a dog. 0:13:55.650 --> 0:13:58.770 And I denied knowing him, just like he. 0:13:58.750 --> 0:14:03.030 Said I would. Peter's bottom lip began to quiver. He 0:14:03.080 --> 0:14:05.559 picked up his nets and made his way towards the door. 0:14:06.679 --> 0:14:08.520 He was going to go fishing to clear his mind, 0:14:08.940 --> 0:14:12.620 but instead the door burst open. The two Marys and 0:14:12.660 --> 0:14:16.170 Salome fell through the entrance out of breath. The disciples 0:14:16.230 --> 0:14:17.630 all stood to their feet in fear. 0:14:18.770 --> 0:14:19.270 What happened? 0:14:19.470 --> 0:14:22.370 Peter asked frantically. Did the Pharisees find you with the tomb? 0:14:22.650 --> 0:14:25.410 The women shook their hands. They were frantic and frightened. 0:14:26.150 --> 0:14:26.510 No! 0:14:26.530 --> 0:14:27.410 Mary shouted. 0:14:27.750 --> 0:14:29.020 Someone has taken him! 0:14:29.560 --> 0:14:29.800 What? 0:14:30.080 --> 0:14:33.520 John exclaimed. Mary was unconsolable. 0:14:33.840 --> 0:14:35.740 We looked in the tomb and he was not there. 0:14:35.760 --> 0:14:38.400 A man told us he was gone and to tell you. 0:14:38.980 --> 0:14:41.950 We were too afraid to ask questions, so we ran here. 0:14:42.790 --> 0:14:43.450 The women wept. 0:14:44.620 --> 0:14:47.160 Peter did not ask questions. He dashed out the door 0:14:47.220 --> 0:14:50.920 and ran towards the hills where Jesus' tomb was. John 0:14:50.980 --> 0:14:55.180 followed close behind. The two men sprinted through the small 0:14:55.240 --> 0:14:59.530 village and past the trees. Peter ran ferociously, but he 0:14:59.570 --> 0:15:02.369 was not as young as John. John quickly gained on 0:15:02.390 --> 0:15:04.630 him and passed him. He made it to the tomb 0:15:04.690 --> 0:15:09.690 first and stumbled inside. Catching his breath, he looked up 0:15:09.730 --> 0:15:12.170 to see the empty bed where Jesus was laid down. 0:15:13.480 --> 0:15:17.180 Peter finally made it and stopped at the entrance. He 0:15:17.240 --> 0:15:20.940 paused for a long moment, unsure if he was even 0:15:21.020 --> 0:15:24.780 worthy to step in. He had so much pent-up shame 0:15:25.200 --> 0:15:28.280 he had yet to deal with. He was convinced that 0:15:28.420 --> 0:15:32.250 even if Jesus were alive, he would reject him completely. 0:15:34.210 --> 0:15:36.950 Peter held his head low and peeked his head in. 0:15:38.030 --> 0:15:42.550 He saw John kneeling near the bed. Jesus' burial linens 0:15:42.570 --> 0:15:45.580 were neatly folded, as if someone had made their bed 0:15:45.860 --> 0:15:46.740 before leaving home. 0:15:47.780 --> 0:15:48.720 Those fiends! 0:15:49.000 --> 0:15:49.700 Peter growled. 0:15:50.080 --> 0:15:53.820 They must have taken him! Those Pharisees could not stand 0:15:53.860 --> 0:15:54.660 the thought. 0:15:54.420 --> 0:15:58.280 Of Jesus resting. Peter clenched his fists in anger. He 0:15:58.340 --> 0:16:01.650 fell to his knees beside John. The two of them wept, 0:16:02.290 --> 0:16:06.790 unable to understand what had transpired. John put his arm 0:16:06.830 --> 0:16:07.430 around Peter. 0:16:07.910 --> 0:16:08.970 We must go home, Peter. 0:16:09.490 --> 0:16:10.590 The guards will be back. 0:16:11.070 --> 0:16:13.410 For all we know, we could be blamed for removing 0:16:13.450 --> 0:16:13.890 his body. 0:16:14.630 --> 0:16:17.040 John helped Peter to his feet, and the two men 0:16:17.140 --> 0:16:23.000 limped home, side by side. However, Mary Magdalene had not 0:16:23.080 --> 0:16:27.220 been too far behind. As Peter and John left the tomb, 0:16:27.920 --> 0:16:33.230 Mary entered. The tomb smelled of stale incense. A slight 0:16:33.300 --> 0:16:37.530 breeze came from the outside, causing Mary's hair to sway gently. 0:16:38.950 --> 0:16:42.470 She felt her hair and stroked it. She looked at it. 0:16:42.790 --> 0:16:44.970 Remembering a time when she used to pull it out, 0:16:46.230 --> 0:16:50.110 she had been tormented for years by demons. The abuse 0:16:50.170 --> 0:16:53.860 of wicked men had left her vulnerable, and the enemy 0:16:53.960 --> 0:16:57.920 crept in like a lion on weak prey. For years 0:16:58.000 --> 0:17:03.420 she was tortured, cast aside, and forgotten. That was until 0:17:03.480 --> 0:17:07.910 Jesus came. From the first moment she saw him, he 0:17:07.990 --> 0:17:12.379 was able to calm her soul. The raging war inside 0:17:12.420 --> 0:17:15.760 her was tamed, and the demons fled at his command. 0:17:16.859 --> 0:17:21.699 Tears streamed down Mary's face. She was afraid. Since Jesus 0:17:21.770 --> 0:17:26.310 was now gone, the demons would return. She would go 0:17:26.350 --> 0:17:29.550 back to a life of scarring herself and pulling out 0:17:29.609 --> 0:17:35.030 her hair. She left the tomb still weeping miserably. The 0:17:35.070 --> 0:17:39.659 sun's rays brought no warmth to her sorrowful soul. She 0:17:39.700 --> 0:17:41.900 sat down at the entrance of the tomb and put 0:17:41.940 --> 0:17:48.419 her head between her knees. She wept uncontrollably, facing the tomb. Woman, 0:17:49.400 --> 0:17:54.060 why are you weeping? Two voices said in tandem. Mary 0:17:54.100 --> 0:17:57.310 jolted her head up to see two creatures perched on 0:17:57.350 --> 0:18:01.410 top of the stone door. The angels cocked their heads, 0:18:02.109 --> 0:18:06.030 curious at her tears. She rubbed her eyes and looked 0:18:06.109 --> 0:18:06.489 up at them. 0:18:07.630 --> 0:18:09.470 They have taken my lord! 0:18:09.820 --> 0:18:10.280 She yelled. 0:18:11.320 --> 0:18:14.820 They have taken him and all hope is lost! 0:18:15.280 --> 0:18:17.760 She buried her head on her knees again and wept. 0:18:18.400 --> 0:18:22.979 Then she heard another voice behind her. Woman, why are 0:18:23.020 --> 0:18:26.950 you weeping? Is this someone you are looking for? Mary 0:18:26.990 --> 0:18:30.710 did not raise her eyes. She supposed it was the gardener. 0:18:31.670 --> 0:18:34.530 She kept her face buried in her garments, trying to 0:18:34.590 --> 0:18:35.609 control the sobbing. 0:18:37.990 --> 0:18:41.530 Please, sir, have you taken him? 0:18:42.910 --> 0:18:44.370 Can you tell me where you put him? 0:18:46.470 --> 0:18:50.540 Mary, the voice said softly. The voice was as soothing 0:18:50.619 --> 0:18:54.260 as a babbling brook. It as strong as a raging tempest. 0:18:55.220 --> 0:18:58.680 It was a voice Mary recognized. It was the voice 0:18:58.720 --> 0:19:01.260 of one who had commanded the demons to flee from her. 0:19:02.200 --> 0:19:05.980 It was the voice of acceptance and compassion. It was 0:19:06.000 --> 0:19:10.580 the voice of strength. and miracles. Mary jolted her head up. 0:19:11.119 --> 0:19:13.869 Her eyes were wide. The sun was bright behind him, 0:19:14.150 --> 0:19:18.830 hiding his face for a moment. But his smile was unmistakable. 0:19:20.109 --> 0:19:24.469 It was him. The conquering lion of Judah stood before her. 0:19:25.350 --> 0:19:28.790 The hero of scripture and the prince of peace smiled 0:19:28.850 --> 0:19:32.760 down at her. He had not been taken. He had risen. 0:19:33.859 --> 0:19:36.920 In a final act of power, Jesus had defeated death 0:19:37.780 --> 0:19:41.200 Jesus rose to prove that death had no authority over 0:19:41.260 --> 0:19:42.460 a sinless Savior. 0:19:43.480 --> 0:19:44.220 Rapunai! 0:19:44.540 --> 0:19:47.720 Mary said with a gasp. She clung to his legs 0:19:47.980 --> 0:19:51.939 and wept even more. jesus laughed and helped mary to 0:19:52.000 --> 0:19:52.600 her feet. 0:19:53.060 --> 0:19:55.760 Do not cling to me mary i have yet to 0:19:55.820 --> 0:19:59.460 ascend to my father go and tell my brothers i 0:19:59.500 --> 0:20:02.959 will soon be ascending to my father to my god 0:20:03.480 --> 0:20:04.460 and their god. 0:20:04.660 --> 0:20:08.080 Mary nodded in amazement she lifted her sleeves for a 0:20:10.760 --> 0:20:15.060 When she lifted her gaze again, he was gone. Mary 0:20:15.080 --> 0:20:18.740 looked around. The birds were chirping, and the bright sun 0:20:18.780 --> 0:20:21.419 had shone brighter in her eyes now that Jesus was 0:20:21.480 --> 0:20:24.820 no longer standing over her. Had she seen an apparition? 0:20:25.540 --> 0:20:30.200 Was her mind playing tricks on her? Certainly not. Mary 0:20:30.270 --> 0:20:33.110 knew in her heart of hearts that it was Jesus. 0:20:33.130 --> 0:20:37.230 So once again, she ran back to the disciples to 0:20:37.270 --> 0:20:41.080 tell them the good news. Miles away under the shadow 0:20:41.160 --> 0:20:44.420 of the empty temple, the two guards stood in front 0:20:44.460 --> 0:20:48.190 of the high priest Caiaphas. They feared this would happen. 0:20:49.109 --> 0:20:51.730 They knew they had not seen the last of Jesus' 0:20:51.790 --> 0:20:57.490 influence on earth. You worthless dogs, Caiaphas yelled, throwing his 0:20:57.530 --> 0:21:01.330 staff at the guards. The large scepter banged against the 0:21:01.350 --> 0:21:05.669 stone walls. The Roman soldiers stood at attention, unfazed by 0:21:05.710 --> 0:21:10.680 the high priest's outbursts. Jesus was the Jews' problem, not theirs. 0:21:11.359 --> 0:21:14.960 Although they had been charged to watch Jesus' tomb, a 0:21:15.020 --> 0:21:18.149 burst of light and wind would make for a breathtaking story. 0:21:18.609 --> 0:21:20.430 We cannot let anyone know of this. 0:21:20.730 --> 0:21:25.790 Caiaphas yelled. The elders in the room agreed. Caiaphas faced 0:21:25.810 --> 0:21:27.270 the guards and sneered. 0:21:28.290 --> 0:21:31.440 I know your kind only responds to one thing. 0:21:31.980 --> 0:21:33.879 He pulled a sack of coins out of his robe 0:21:34.260 --> 0:21:35.200 and handed it to them. 0:21:36.000 --> 0:21:38.879 This ought to be sufficient for your cooperations. We cannot 0:21:38.910 --> 0:21:42.080 have anyone claiming Jesus rose from the dead. So we 0:21:42.100 --> 0:21:45.480 will tell them that the disciples came by night when 0:21:45.500 --> 0:21:47.959 you were asleep. Is that understood? 0:21:48.760 --> 0:21:52.419 The guards grinned as they counted their coins. They nodded 0:21:52.740 --> 0:21:55.460 and left the room. Caiaphas sat down at the head 0:21:55.480 --> 0:21:57.460 of the table and rubbed his temples. 0:21:58.800 --> 0:22:03.960 Control the story and you control the masses, he said. 0:22:05.170 --> 0:22:09.129 I have a feeling this event will prove problematic for us, 0:22:09.280 --> 0:22:09.760 my friends. 0:22:10.420 --> 0:22:13.619 The elders and chief priests stirred at their table and 0:22:13.700 --> 0:22:18.580 whispered amongst themselves. Caiaphas poured himself some wine and looked 0:22:18.619 --> 0:22:23.870 deep into the cup. He had seen Jesus bleed himself. However, 0:22:24.350 --> 0:22:27.270 he had also seen the temple veil torn in half. 0:22:28.290 --> 0:22:31.330 There were even some reports of earthquakes and people rising 0:22:31.390 --> 0:22:35.270 from their graves the night Jesus had died. Caiaphas knew 0:22:35.290 --> 0:22:39.669 that something new was coming. He had a sinking feeling 0:22:40.040 --> 0:22:42.659 that something greater than the works of Jesus were on 0:22:42.720 --> 0:22:47.760 their way. However, he could not explain it. The Holy 0:22:47.820 --> 0:22:52.730 Spirit was preparing for his descent. Soon, he would flood 0:22:52.770 --> 0:22:55.990 the cities with the righteousness and power of Jesus. 0:23:01.760 --> 0:23:04.780 What happened to Jesus was miraculous, but it should be 0:23:04.859 --> 0:23:08.540 by no means surprising. The Bible has been teasing the 0:23:08.600 --> 0:23:14.000 resurrection for thousands of years. Images, motifs, and prophecies lay scripture, 0:23:14.570 --> 0:23:18.230 ultimately pointing to this moment. One of those images was 0:23:18.310 --> 0:23:21.590 the story of Daniel and the lion's den. The prelude 0:23:21.630 --> 0:23:24.030 gave us the image of a dark and perilous den 0:23:24.050 --> 0:23:27.750 of lions ready to devour Daniel, who is a Christ 0:23:27.790 --> 0:23:31.250 figure in scripture. The light of God shut the mouth 0:23:31.410 --> 0:23:34.780 of the lions. The same language used for Daniel's ascension 0:23:34.930 --> 0:23:37.780 out of the den was used for Jesus rising out 0:23:37.820 --> 0:23:41.060 of the grave. The light of the world, Jesus, shut 0:23:41.160 --> 0:23:44.659 the mouth of death and took away its fangs. He 0:23:44.740 --> 0:23:48.060 rose victorious, and now those who believe in him share 0:23:48.100 --> 0:23:51.840 in that victory. The next few episodes cover the theme 0:23:51.880 --> 0:23:54.790 of belief and the long process some go on to 0:23:54.830 --> 0:23:58.490 truly find it. Several different characters wrestle with belief in 0:23:58.530 --> 0:24:01.600 their own way. The women who were approached by the 0:24:01.780 --> 0:24:06.350 angels believed immediately. Mary, who initially believed, found herself doubting 0:24:06.470 --> 0:24:10.050 and in grief. Peter and John visited the tomb and 0:24:10.090 --> 0:24:13.430 came to the conclusion that someone must have stolen Jesus, 0:24:13.690 --> 0:24:17.010 even though he had told them he would rise again. Caiaphas, 0:24:17.410 --> 0:24:20.470 when learning about the event, seems to believe more than 0:24:20.520 --> 0:24:23.780 the disciples that it was possible, but is blinded by 0:24:23.820 --> 0:24:26.840 his own pride. We will meet a few others who 0:24:26.880 --> 0:24:29.560 wrestle with belief as well, such as the disciples on 0:24:29.600 --> 0:24:33.480 the road to Damascus and Thomas. Each person has their 0:24:33.580 --> 0:24:37.240 own path to Christ. Perhaps some people are easily convinced 0:24:37.300 --> 0:24:40.920 like these three women. Others may teeter in and out 0:24:40.960 --> 0:24:43.780 of belief like Mary. There are many who are too 0:24:43.900 --> 0:24:47.640 lost in their own shame to believe, like Peter. Wherever 0:24:47.700 --> 0:24:50.290 you are on the faith journey, know that you are 0:24:50.350 --> 0:24:53.530 not alone in your questions, and there is no uniform 0:24:53.590 --> 0:24:57.350 path to discover Jesus. We're all on our unique journey 0:24:57.430 --> 0:25:01.350 dealing with the winding roads as they come. The resurrection 0:25:01.430 --> 0:25:04.040