Resurrection of Christ
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news; also Jesus showed himself unto his sorrowing, heart-broken
disciples, dispelling their fears, and causing them gladness and joy.
As the news spread from city to city, and from town to town, the
Jews in their turn were afraid for their lives, and concealed the hate
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they cherished towards the disciples. Their only hope was to spread
their lying report. And those who wished this lie to be true, believed it.
Pilate trembled. He believed the strong testimony given, that Jesus was
risen from the dead, and that many others he had brought up with him,
and his peace left him forever. For the sake of worldly honor; for fear
of losing his authority, and his life, he delivered Jesus to die. He was
now fully convinced that it was not merely a common, innocent man of
whose blood he was guilty but the blood of the Son of God. Miserable
was the life of Pilate; miserable to its close. Despair and anguish
crushed every hopeful, joyful feeling. He refused to be comforted, and
died a most miserable death.
Herod’s heart grew still harder, and when he heard that Jesus had
arisen, he was not much troubled. He took the life of James; and when
he saw that this pleased the Jews, he took Peter also, intending to put
him to death. But God had a work for Peter to do, and sent his angel
and delivered him. Herod was visited with judgment. God smote him
in the sight of a great multitude as he was exalting himself before
them, and he died a horrible death.
Early in the morning before it was yet light, the holy women came
to the sepulchre, bringing sweet spices to anoint the body of Jesus,
when lo! they found the heavy stone rolled away from the door of
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the sepulchre, and the body of Jesus was not there. Their hearts sunk
within them, and they feared that their enemies had taken away the
body. And, behold, two angels in white apparel stood by them; their
faces were bright and shining. They understood the errand of the holy
women, and immediately told them that they were seeking Jesus, but
he was not there, he had risen, and they could behold the place where
he lay. They bid them go tell his disciples that he would go before
them into Galilee. But the women were frightened and astonished.
They hastily ran to the disciples who were mourning, and could not be
comforted because their Lord had been crucified; they hurriedly told
them the things which they had seen and heard. The disciples could
not believe that he had risen, but, with the women who had brought
the report, ran hastily to the sepulchre, and found that truly Jesus was