September 19, 2023 - John 18-21

John: (Two angels in white to Mary): “Woman, why are you weeping?” (20:13)

Matthew: (The angel to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary): “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen” (28:5-6).

Mark: (The young man to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome): “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here” (16:6).

Luke: (Two men in dazzling apparel to the women): “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (24:5-6).

Slightly different reports giving different details, exactly as we would expect from four different writers putting the matter in their own words and emphasizing different matters. But all four – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – agree on the most important matter: Do not weep, do not be afraid, do not be alarmed. HE HAS RISEN!

Paul applied it like this: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. . . . If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:17-20). Indeed, he has!

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!

to his throne beyond the skies. Alleluia!

Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!

enters now the highest heaven. Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!

lift your heads, eternal gates. Alleluia!

He has conquered death and sin; Alleluia!

take the King of glory in. Alleluia! --Charles Wesley (1739)