"He is not here, but is risen"

The already-empty tomb was discovered very early on the first day of the week, before dawn, by the women who came to anoint the body with spices. They were too late to witness the resurrection because they stayed at home during the Sabbath the previous day (Luke 23:55-56)

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb [the photograph shows the actual entrance to the Garden Tomb]. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: and as they were affrighted 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 that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest."

"Now they were Mary Magdalene [see Mary of Magdala], and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass." (Luke 24:1-12 ASV)

His Appearance On The Road To Emmaus

The Lord's appearance on the road to Emmaus provides an excellent illustration of how the "ability to see" (e.g. Luke 24:16,31) and "understand the Scriptures" (e.g. Luke 24:27) are a matter of God's will, in His good time.

"And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him."

"And He said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad."

"And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto Him, Dost Thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days?"

"And he said unto them, 'What things?'"

"And they said unto Him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. But we hoped that it was He who should redeem Israel. Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; and when they found not His body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not."

"And He said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

"And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and He made as though He would go further. And they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And He went in to abide with them."

"And it came to pass, when He had sat down with them to meat, He took the bread and blessed; and breaking it He gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while He spake to us in the way, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" (Luke 24:13-32 ASV)

Fact Finder: Can anyone truly follow Jesus Christ without The Father first making it possible?
John 6:44
See also Ears To Hear

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