Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

As the Sabbath drew to a close, Mary Magdalene and another Mary approached the tomb just as dawn was breaking on the first day of the week. When they arrived, they were met with a tremendous earthquake – the angel of the Lord had descended from heaven and rolled back the stone that sealed the entrance. The angel sat atop the stone, his appearance like lightning, his garments shining white as snow.

The guards who stood watch over Jesus' body were so terrified by the angel's presence that they shook with fear and became as lifeless as corpses. But the angel reassured the women: "Don't be afraid; I know you're looking for Jesus, the one who was crucified." He told them, "He isn't here – he has risen just as he promised. Come see where his body lay."

The angel urged the women to hurry and tell Jesus' disciples that he had risen from the dead. He said, "Behold, I've already gone ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see him." The women fled the tomb in a flurry of fear and joy, racing to share the news with his disciples.

As they made their way to deliver this extraordinary message, Jesus suddenly appeared before them, greeting them warmly. In awe, the women fell to their knees, worshiping him at his feet.

Jesus reassured them: "Don't be afraid – go tell my brothers that I want them to head into Galilee, where they will see me." With their hearts still reeling from the encounter, the women set out on their mission.

Meanwhile, some of the guards entered the city and gathered with the chief priests and other elders. They hatched a plan to bribe the soldiers into lying about what had really happened: "Tell everyone that Jesus' disciples came by night while you were sleeping, snatching him away." They promised the soldiers a handsome reward if they stuck to this story – even offering to intervene on their behalf with the governor if necessary.

The guards took the money and did as instructed. This fabrication spread like wildfire among the Jews, becoming a widely accepted narrative that endures to this day.

In Galilee, Jesus' eleven remaining disciples had traveled to the mountain where he had first appointed them. When they spotted him in the distance, they fell to their knees in worship – though some of them still harbored doubts about what they were seeing.

Jesus approached his followers and declared, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth." With this bold statement, he issued a command: "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – spreading my message far and wide, establishing my presence throughout the world."