Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The women of Jesus' followers went to the tomb early on the first day of the week, bringing spices they had prepared. Some other companions joined them as well. When they arrived at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away from the entrance.

They entered the tomb, looking for Jesus' body, but it was gone. Two men in shining clothes appeared beside them and said, "Why are you searching among the dead for one who is alive? He's not here; he has risen, just as he promised when he was still with you in Galilee." They remembered his words: "The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, crucified, and on the third day rise again."

The women were terrified but they returned from the tomb and told all these things to Jesus' eleven followers and the others. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, James's mother, along with the other women who had been with them, shared their story with the apostles.

But the apostles didn't believe them; it seemed like idle chatter to them. So Peter got up and ran to the tomb. He stooped down, saw the linen clothes lying there by themselves, and left, puzzled about what had happened.

Two of Jesus' followers decided to head out to a village called Emmaus, which was about sixty miles from Jerusalem. They talked over all that had occurred, trying to make sense of it. As they walked and discussed, Jesus joined them without their noticing him.

"What's going on with these conversations you're having with each other while walking around looking so sad?" he asked. Cleopas replied, "Are you the only person from Jerusalem who hasn't heard about what's been happening there in recent days?"

They told Jesus about how the chief priests and leaders had handed him over to be condemned to death, crucified him, and how they believed he was the one who would redeem Israel. They also mentioned that today marked the third day since these events occurred.

Some women from their group amazed them by saying they'd seen angels who claimed Jesus was alive. Others went to the tomb, found it just as the women had described, but didn't see him themselves.

Then Jesus said to them, "You're slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken." He explained to them in the Scriptures how Christ must suffer and enter into his glory. Starting with Moses and the prophets, he showed them how everything was about him.

As they approached Emmaus, Jesus pretended to continue on further, but they insisted, saying, "Stay with us; it's evening, and the day is almost gone." He went in and stayed with them as they sat down to eat. Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and handed it to them.

Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. Then he vanished from their sight. They exclaimed to each other, "Our hearts burned within us while he was speaking with us on the road, explaining the Scriptures to us."

They quickly got up and returned to Jerusalem where they found the eleven followers gathered with others. Jesus had indeed risen, and he appeared to Simon.

The two men shared what had happened on the road and how they recognized him in breaking bread together. As they spoke, Jesus stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

They were terrified, thinking they'd seen a spirit. But Jesus reassured them: "Why are you troubled? Why do these doubts arise in your hearts?"

He showed them his hands and feet, saying, "Look at my hands and feet; it's me! Touch me; see that I'm not just a spirit with no flesh or bones." When he finished speaking, he showed them his hands and feet.

While they were still amazed and unsure, Jesus asked if they had any food. They gave him a piece of broiled fish and some honeycomb, which he ate in their presence.

He said to them, "These are the words I spoke while I was with you: everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled."

Then Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He explained that it was necessary for Christ to suffer, rise from the dead on the third day, and have repentance and remission of sins preached in his name among all nations.

You are witnesses to these things," he told them. "And now I'm sending you the promise of my Father; stay in Jerusalem until you receive power from above."

Jesus led them out as far as Bethany where he lifted up his hands in a blessing over them. As he blessed them, he was taken from their sight and lifted into heaven.

They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. From that day on, they spent their time in the temple praising and blessing God.