Happy Easter!
“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in gleaming clothing; 5 and as [a]the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, ‘Why are you seeking the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He has risen…'”
He is risen! Happy Easter to you and yours!
Rome- the Emperors Tiberias’ audience hall:
Tribune Gallio – ” The mail ship just arrived from Judea. Fresh news- that troublesome Hebrew rabble-rouser Chrestus was executed two weeks ago, but it is reported that his friends claim that he is not dead, but has risen from the dead and is alive and well as he foretold, These lunatics say he has displayed the wound in his side made by a legionaries pilum and has even eaten food with them. They claim that this proves that he is the son of their god.”
Tiberias: ” This man Chrestus was truly and properly executed in a public place by Roman soldiers who can recognize dead men and know one when they see one?”
Tribune Gallio: ” The man was properly executed by public crucifixion in front of a crowd by soldiers of Legio X Fretensis, men who know their business indeed. If they report that this malcontent Hebrew is dead, you can be sure he is. A man risen from the dead? The story is absurd.”
Tiberias: ” I do not want any ridiculous tales to circulate, especially those that impugn the power of Rome – when we execute a man , he is dead, and no question. This fanciful tale must be destroyed at its source. Tribune Gallio- you leave immediately for Judea. When you arrive, you may take as many men as you need from the garrison. Find the body of this dead Jew. Publicly display it and put an end to this ridiculous fantasy. Find it without fail or two thousand years from now the world will still hear of it. Find that body and prove to all that this man is dead, just like any other executed by Rome.”
Tribune Gallio: ” Yes Imperator. I will leave immediately as you command. This ridiculous tale of the Jew Chrestus ” rising from the dead” will be demonstrated to be a falsehood.”