After the climax of the cross, our minds press on to the apostles and their tireless witness to the resurrection of the Lord. But there was an interlude; 40 days of events that changed the lives of those who participated in them. He was risen indeed, but they and the women and others of the disciples had first to be convinced and then instructed so they might provide persuasive testimony to all that had happened.
The records of the events of that period are on the one hand difficult to piece together and on the other, perplexing to understand fully. A great assistance in these matters has recently been provided in the book “He is Risen Indeed” by Brother Harry Whittaker. This work is available in the U.S. and Canada for $1.05 plus postage from Bro. Curtis Rankin, 13 Wickom Avenue, Hamilton Square, New Jersey.
From burial by Joseph and Nicodemus to ascension on Olivet, the events come alive under the expressive pen of Brother Whittaker. In addition, apparent contradictions are faithfully harmonized and fascinating details are rewardingly expounded.
The conversion of Joseph and Nicodemus begins this study, two who “found their faith when others had lost theirs”. An interesting comment is made regarding them as at least one of these men had sat on the Sanhedrin during the trial of Jesus. This observation leads to a possible explanation of one of the most amazing things about the events of that day. How was it the witnesses against Christ would not agree? How was it legal form was followed even though judge and jury were united in a determination to destroy their Lord?
“The explanation of all such difficulties could be the presence of Joseph of Arimethea or Nicodemus, one or both, at the trial. It would need only the presence of one of these to make the enemies of Jesus realize that they could not blatantly turn the Council Chamber into a Star Chamber. The forms of law would have to be observed. And, further, when the most outrageous accusations were hurled against Jesus, it would require only the very occasional and quiet interpolation of a word from a skilled lawyer such as Joseph or Nicodemus to demonstrate the contradictory nature or insufficiency of the evidence.”
Many a careful Bible reader hiss tried to harmonize the visitations to the tomb. The apparent welter of contradictions can distract us from the thrill of reliving the unfolding activity of that day. But in this work, helpful explanations are offered and more important the drama and emotion of the events are recaptured.
Mary Magdalene had arrived at the open tomb with the other women. But it is apparent she “promptly assumed that, not content with all the evil they had wrought already, the enemies of the Lord were still bent on further mischief, and she turned and ran as hard as she could first to the lodging of Peter and then to John, gasping out the news …”
Later after Peter and John had left the sepulcher she still lingered disconsolately by the empty tomb. “There was no reason at all why she should, except that this was the spot where she had last set eyes on her Savior. In the past two days she had shed tears as never before, and now more than ever they refused to be restrained.
“Unable to make any sense of the situation, she wept the more. Then it suddenly dawned on her that as yet she had not seen for herself. Was there anything to be learned from a closer examination of the sepulcher? So, as the apostles had done, she also stooped to peer within; and immediately saw two men sitting there, as though at the head and feet of Jesus. But there was no Jesus!”
” ‘Woman, why weepest thou?’ Why indeed! ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.’ Yet she would have had much greater cause for weeping had she found Jesus lying there!
“Even as she spoke she turned away again. Was it because she assumed that they could not help her, for they would surely have given her news immediately, if they had news to communicate? Or was it because the two men in the tomb stood to greet one whom they could see behind Mary ?
“Staring into the rising sun she was able to see only the outline of the stranger who now drew near. This for certain, must be Joseph’s servant. He would be able to help her. And all her love and anxiety were poured out in one intense irrational plea: ‘Sir’ the word is really ‘Lord’. Imagine it addressed to a gardener yet how correct! “if thou have
borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” As though she could -a weak woman, and single-handed!
It would seem that she expected nothing of help or comfort in response to her appeal, for she was already moving away when one more spoken word stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned again, stared incredulously, and then in a moment was at his side, grasping his hand and feeling his arm and shoulder for the reassurance by which to turn the impossible into certainty, and all the while incoherent with gladness. There was nothing she could say except one exultant word of greeting and of self-reproach: “Rabboni !” ‘”The journey from which no traveler returns” had yielded back the one whom she longed to see above all other, and how blind her eyes had been not to recognize the fact. In she used the title which Bartimaeus had bestowed on Jesus in the day when his blindness was taken away (Mark 10:51). A wild welter of glad emotions jostled for supremacy in her mind, and all the while she sought to make assurance doubly sure by the renewed evidence of her own senses.”
The other events of Christ’s last 40 days on earth are treated with a like sensitivity and attention to detail. In so doing Brother Whittaker has penned a work that will consistently inform, at times challenge and frequently thrill the careful Bible reader.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One