Jesus to the Women: “Mornin’”
1After the Saturday Sabbath and about daybreak on Sunday, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb to see Jesus.2Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from the sky and rolled away the stone that had sealed the opening to the tomb and sat on it. 3He glowed like a burst of lightning. His clothes were snow white. 4Soldiers assigned to guard the dead were so terrified that they started shaking and then they fainted dead away. [1]
5The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He’s not here. He has been raised from the dead. He had said it would happen. Come over here and take a look. This is where he was lying. 7Now quickly go to the disciples. Tell them he has been raised from the dead and he’s going ahead of them back to Galilee. You’ll all see him there. Remember everything I’ve told you.”
8The women left the tomb right away, with mixed emotions: fear and incredible joy. They ran to tell the disciples what had happened. 9Suddenly, along the way, Jesus met the women. He said, “Mornin’.” [2]
They rushed over to him, dropped to the ground, and started hugging his feet in worship. 10Jesus told them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my disciples to leave for Galilee. They’ll see me there.”
Guards Report What They Saw
11While the women were on their way to see the disciples, some of those on guard duty went into Jerusalem. They reported to the top priests and told them everything that happened.12The priests met with the Jewish elders and worked out a plan. They gave the guards a big lump of money. 13They told the guards, “Here’s what we want you to say: ‘The disciples of Jesus came at night and stole his body while we were sleeping.’ [3] 14And if this gets reported all the way up to the governor, don’t worry. We’ll bribe him and keep you out of trouble.”
15So they took the money and, like good soldiers, did as they were told. This story started circulating among the Jews. And they’re still telling the story today.
Mission Statement: Make Believers out of People
16The 11 disciples went to Galilee. They went to the mountain where Jesus said he would meet them. 17They saw him and most of them begin to worship him. But some hesitated because they had doubts.18Jesus told the disciples, “I have been given complete authority over heaven and earth. 19And here’s what I want you to do. Go and make believers out of people everywhere. Go to all the nations. Baptize the people; and do it on behalf [4] of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20Teach the people to do everything I told you to do. And remember this. I am with you every day and all the way to the last day of this age.” [5]
