THE TWO FACTS that constitute the principal bulwark of the Christian faith are the empty tomb and the conversion of the Apostle Paul. These facts are recognized by logicians and apologists. The claims of Christ and Christianity are based, therefore, upon the fact of the empty tomb on that first Easter morning. If the body of Jesus was not raised from the dead, our faith is vain and our hope is vain. Thus argued the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians chapter 16. Another historical fact that is of the utmost importance in establishing the truthfulness and the correctness of the Christian faith is the conversion of that warrior, Saul of Tarsus, who became known as the Apostle Paul. He was an intellectual giant, a burning firebrand, and a bundle of energy. Suddenly, he stopped in his mad career, made a rightabout face, and espoused the faith which he had been persecuting, proclaiming the reason as to why he made the change. He affirmed that Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, spoke directly to him from heaven, when he was on his way to Damascus. The reason for the Lord's appearing to him is stated by the Apostle Paul in the following words, spoken by the risen Christ to him: "16 But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 17 delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:16-18).

We praise God for the evidence that the tomb was empty on that first Easter morning, that our Lord ascended to the right hand of the throne of God, and that He also appeared to the Apostle Paul. These facts being indisputable, we have perfect assurance of life and immortality through Him "who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Tim. 1:10).

The four Evangelists are very explicit concerning the resurrection of our Lord and of the tomb's being empty on the first day of the week following the crucifixion. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses prepared spices to anoint the body of Jesus at the end of the sabbath, Saturday night at sundown (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1). "And the women, who had come with him out of Galilee... prepared spices and ointments" (Luke 23:55) and "on the first day of the week, at early dawn [Sunday morning], they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared" (Luke 24:1). Upon their arrival they found that the stone which had been put before the tomb had been rolled away. "And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus" (24:3). As they stood there, perplexed by the absence of the body, "behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel." These were angels, who appeared in the form of men to bring a message of glad tiding to the anxious women. Being frightened, the women "bowed down their faces to the earth." While they were in this posture, the angels asked them: "Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again" (Luke 24:5-7). This statement reminded the women of the words of the Lord Jesus, which He had spoken before His crucifixion. And remembering His words, they "returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest." The women constituting this group were "Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them ..." (24:10). And they reported to the Apostles all the things that they had learned. At first, what they said seemed to the men to be idle words. "But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb" (24:12). Upon arriving there, he stooped down and looked in, and "seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass" (24:12). These facts are briefly stated by Luke in 24:1-12. In the Fourth Gospel John the Apostle informs us that he accompanied Peter to the tomb (John 20:1-10).

In order for us to understand the full significance of the visit of the disciples, we should study the parallel accounts found in Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-10, and John 20:1-10. An examination of all these records and a comparison of each of them with the others reveals the fact that they give substantially the same account of the empty tomb, the visit of the various disciples to the tomb, and the different appearances of Jesus. There are, of course, minor details that at first appear to be contradictory, but upon a thorough investigation of the facts as stated in the texts of the various writers, we are aware of the fact that there is perfect harmony throughout.

In Luke 24:8-12 we have a record of the report of certain women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them) who went to the tomb, and found it empty. They went to the Apostles, as stated above, and told them their discovery. But their words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them."

In Luke 24:13-31 we have an account of our Lord's appearing to two disciples on the afternoon of the resurrection, as they were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which is about eight miles northwest of Jerusalem. Naturally, they were talking about the things that had just transpired, namely, the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and the reports which they had heard concerning His being raised from the dead. As they were discussing these matters, Jesus himself appeared, drew near to them, and joined their company. But we are told in verse 16 "that their eyes were holden that they should not know him." This statement means that a miracle was wrought upon their physical eyes so that they could not see and recognize Him as the Lord Jesus. And it shows that they were acquainted with Him intimately and could ordinarily have recognized Him. But Jesus did not wish that they should at that time know Him; hence, the miracle was wrought whereby they were prevented from recognizing Him.

This incident shows us that there is perfect identity of those in the resurrection body with their personality while they are still in the flesh. Jesus' glorified body bore the marks of identification so very clearly that the disciples could have recognized Him had the miracle not been performed upon their eyes.

Jesus asked them what they had been discussing as they were walking along. That question caused them to stand "still, looking sad." Then one of them, named Cleopas, asked Him how it was that He was the only one in Jerusalem who did not know the things that had just taken place. In order to draw them out, the risen Christ asked to what things they were referring. They rejoined saying; "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people," and who had been delivered up by the chief priests and the rulers of the people to be condemned to death, and who had been crucified.

Then they expressed the hopes that they had entertained concerning His being the one who would redeem Israel. By this statement they meant that they had believed He was the Messiah of Israel, who would, according to prophecy, restore the nation. Continuing, they said that this was now the third day "since these things came to pass," that is, since He had been crucified. This was the afternoon of the first day of the week--Sunday. It was likewise the third day since the things had happened. When we take this statement into consideration, we see that the Lord Jesus was crucified on Friday, according to the four Evangelists, and according to the statement of these two disciples who were traveling to Emmaus. Jesus was, as we have already seen in former studies, crucified on "the day of the Preparation, and the sabbath drew on." Then He was buried late that afternoon. He remained in the tomb all day Saturday, and He arose on the first day of the week. Thus there are three days mentioned here. Jesus was therefore crucified on Friday--without a doubt.

These two disciples then told Him about the report that certain women, who had "been early at the tomb" and who had found it empty, had brought. They told Him how the women said "that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive," and that "certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not" (vss. 22-24).

According to Luke 24:25,26 Jesus reproved them for being foolish and "slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!" Then He showed them that it behooved the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory. "And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (vs. 27). He traced the messianic predictions through the prophets, beginning with Moses, and interpreted to them the things concerning Himself. This the Lord did as they drew near to the village to which they were going. Then Jesus acted as though He were going to continue His journey farther, but they constrained Him to stop with them saying: "Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent"' (vs. 29). "And he went in to abide with them." When they sat down to eat, He took the bread and blessed it, returning thanks, and gave it to them. At that time their eyes were opened and they knew Him. They recognized that He, the Stranger, was the Lord Jesus himself. Then He vanished out of their sight (vs. 31).

The two disciples seemed to be overwhelmed with the fact that they had actually been in company with Jesus and had not at first known Him. Of course, they did not realize that a miracle had been wrought which prevented their recognizing Him. They then returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven Apostles gathered together, and certain others with them. The company in the Holy City reported that the Lord had been raised from the dead, and that He had appeared to Simon. Then the two revealed to them the thing's which had happened to them on the way to Emmaus, "and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread" (vs. 35).

In 24:36-43 we have a record of our Lord's appearing to the disciples on the evening of that first Easter Sunday. While they were discussing the things which they had seen and heard, Jesus himself suddenly appeared in their midst and greeted them by saying: "Peace be unto you." But they were terrified "and supposed that they beheld a spirit." He allayed their fears, asking why they were troubled, and why questions were arising in their hearts. Then He showed them His hands and feet, which proved that it was He. After this incident He urged them to feel His body and see that He was not a spirit, which they thought He was, "for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having," He told them. Then while the disciples were still overwhelmed with surprise and joy, Jesus asked them, "Have ye here anything to eat" (vs. 41). "And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. 43 And he took it, and ate before them."

In order to get a clear picture of the appearances of our Lord to His disciples after His resurrection, a person, should carefully study the following passages: Matthew, chapter 28; Mark, chapter 16; Luke, chapter 24; John, chapter 20; and I Corinthians 15:1-8.