(Study Outline sourced from “The System Bible Study” – “The Book of Life” [Zondervan])
(7). The Guards’ Report To The Jewish Rulers
Matthew’s record concludes the episode of the guards by their report to the chief priests. Recognizing their dilemma they devised a plan by paying-off the soldiers to say that “’His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’” . This story, according to Matthew, “…has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” . This leads to some discussion as to why the guards were asleep, considering the fact that they were charged with guarding the tomb for the very reason that the disciples might come and steal the body of Jesus. Conversely, some may argue that they were not an official guard, but they were provided by Pilate and the chief priests were told to make the tomb as secure as they knew how to .
(8). The Appearance To The Two Disciples On The Road To Emmaus (Sunday Afternoon)
“Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.” ; “…two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.” . As they walked they were discussing all that had occurred over the past three days. “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Here again Jesus did not allow them to recognize Him, maybe because He was about to give them a great lesson from the Scriptures.
In answer to His question, “What things?” They responded the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in word and deed, who, the chief priests had sentenced to death and crucified. This being the day after the Sabbath, and the third day after the crucifixion, the women who went to the tomb did not find His body, but spoke of a vision of angels who said that He was alive; and the reason for their despondency was because they had not seen Him, and they had hoped that “…he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” . “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”. One can only imagine the content of His explanation as He opened the passages of the Old Testament Scriptures that spoke concerning Himself.
Arriving at their destination close to the end of the day, they “urged him strongly” to stay with them, to which He agreed. While at their evening meal, our Lord Jesus “..took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” . Finally their eyes were opened to the fact that it was their Lord who had walked and talked with them and their response was, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
(9). The Report Of The Two And The Appearance To Peter
“They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”” ; “…he appeared to Peter…” .
(10). The Appearance to The Disciples In Jerusalem – Jesus’ Commission (Thomas Absent – Sunday Night)
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”” ; “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?”” .
The Lord Jesus Christ appears to the disciples, rebukes them for doubting and shows them the wounds in His hands and feet to prove to them that it is He. “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.” ; “…he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”.
The Lord Jesus then commissions them saying, “”Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”” , and in anticipation of what would occur 40 days later Jesus says “Receive the Holy Spirit” to empower them to carry out the task.
(Continued….)