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The Story of Jesus
“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, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful
men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Luke 24:5-7
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The angels then explained the death and resurrection of Christ.
They reminded the women of the words that Christ Himself had spo-
ken, in which He had told beforehand of His crucifixion and His
resurrection. These words of Jesus were now plain to them, and with
fresh hope and courage they hastened away to tell the glad news.
Mary had been absent during this scene, but now returned with
Peter and John. When they went back to Jerusalem, she stayed at the
tomb. She could not bear to leave until she should learn what had
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become of the body of her Lord. As she stood weeping, she heard a
voice which asked:
“Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?”
Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not notice who it
was that spoke to her. She thought it might be the gardener and said to
him pleadingly:
“Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid
Him, and I will take Him away.”
She thought that if this rich man’s tomb was considered too honor-
able a place for her Lord, she herself would provide a place for Him.
But now the voice of Christ Himself fell upon her ears. He said:
“Mary.”
Her tears were quickly brushed away, and she beheld the Saviour.
Forgetting, in her joy, that He had been crucified, she stretched forth
her hands to Him, saying:
“Rabboni” (Master).
Jesus then said, “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My
Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto
My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.”
John
20:15-17
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Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He should
know that His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father. He ascended
to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that
His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, and through His
blood all might gain eternal life.