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After Jesus was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea had Christ's body placed in his own tomb. A large stone covered the entrance and soldiers guarded the sealed tomb. On the third day, a Sunday, several women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome are all mentioned in the gospel accounts) went to the tomb at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus.

A violent earthquake took place as an angel from heaven rolled back the stone. The guards shook in fear as the angel, dressed in bright white, sat upon the stone. The angel announced to the women that Jesus who was crucified was no longer in the tomb, "He is risen, just as he said." Then he instructed the women to inspect the tomb and see for themselves. Next, he told them to go inform the disciples.

With a mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel's command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there."

Now when the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests, they were bribed with a large sum of money, and told to lie, saying that the disciples had stolen the body in the night.

After the resurrection, Jesus made at least 12 different appearances to; the women near the tomb, twice to the disciples while they were gathered at a house in prayer, plus he visited two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and he appeared at the Sea of Galilee while several of the disciples were fishing. Finally, he appeared to Paul in the Arabian Desert. All of these were physical, tangible experiences with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched.

As I was reflecting upon these accounts, I realized that Jesus' resurrected body was different than his mortal physical body. It was no longer subject to the same laws of nature. He could transcend locked doors, and yet he could still be touched and eat and drink.

The fact of the empty tomb made the authorities build a major cover up, which turned into egg on their faces when reports starting coming in that Jesus was seen eating and drinking, walking and talking to as many as 500 different people. The physical resurrection ensured that future generations could never discredit the power of God's love that happened on the cross.

Yet today, many people, including believers do not believe in the actual, historical resurrection of Jesus Christ. No wonder their lives are powerless in the face of human sin and suffering. Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-21:25.

My challenge for you during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter is to read these wonderful accounts, and invite your friends and family to join you at Easter services. Everybody deserves the chance to hear that "Jesus Christ is Risen Indeed!"

Pastor Roger Pedersen

Pomeroy Christian Church

Pomeroy, Wash.