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Jesus Comes Back to Life
(Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10)
1 After the day of rest—a holy day, as the sun rose Sunday morning, Mary from Magdala and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 Suddenly, there was a powerful earthquake. An angel of the Lord had come down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and was sitting on it. 3 He was as bright as lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow. 4 The guards were so deathly afraid of him that they shook.
5 The angel said to the women, “Don’t be afraid! I know you’re looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He’s not here. He has been brought back to life as he said. Come, see the place where he was lying. 7 Then go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has been brought back to life. He’s going ahead of them into Galilee. There they will see him. Take note that I have told you.”
8 They hurried away from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.
9 Suddenly, Jesus met them and greeted them. They went up to him, bowed down to worship him, and took hold of his feet.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go, tell my followers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”
The Guards Report to the Chief Priests
11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city. They told the chief priests everything that had happened.
12 The chief priests gathered together with the leaders and agreed on a plan. They gave the soldiers a large amount of money 13 and told them to say that Jesus’ disciples had come at night and had stolen his body while they were sleeping. 14 ⌞They added,⌟ “If the governor hears about it, we’ll take care of it, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”
15 The soldiers took the money and did as they were told. Their story has been spread among the Jewish people to this day.
Jesus Gives Instructions to the Disciples
16 The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down in worship, though some had doubts.
18 When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you.
“And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”