Shock and Surprise are the words that describe the situation in the city, on Sunday morning, when the burial tomb of Jesus was found empty.
Jewish authorities and the Roman soldiers expressed complete astonishment at the news of the missing body of Jesus.
Jesus’ disciples and some followers, however, say they are actually overjoyed.
They are claiming that he arose from the dead, just as he said he would.
It is learnt that, by early morning, on Sunday, some women, Mary Magdalene, and two disciples of Jesus, who had all gone to Jesus' tomb separately, have found out – to their shock - that the stone across the tomb of Jesus was rolled aside, and there was no body!
Where is the body?
As reported, in yesterday’s edition, it was soon after Jesus’ death on Friday evening, that two elders of the Jewish Authorities, Joseph of Arimathae and Niccodemas approached Governor Pilate.
They then received permission from him to take down the body of Jesus from the cross, and to bury him.
And just before Sabbath, as the sun set on Friday, they ensured that Jesus was buried in a cave-tomb nearby, according to Jewish customs, wrapped in strips of linen.
They then rolled a stone, across the mouth of the cave hewn out of rock, and left.
But today, the big question - Where is the body??
"Tomb was Guarded" say Roman Officials
They asked Governor Pilate to give an order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day.
They had said, “We remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’, and that is the reason we must guard the grave",
Otherwise, the chief priests and the Pharisees claimed, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first, they said.
“Take a guard,” Pilate had answered. “Go, and make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
The tomb was made secure by a seal on the stone and by the posting of a Roman guard, of probably four soldiers.
Judas Iscariot, the disciple who got Jesus arrested has killed himself.
According to reliable sources, he hanged himself, after he had a spat with the temple authorities. It was soon after Jesus was sentenced.
Allegedly, overcome with remorse, for betraying his teacher, he went back to the chief priests and the elders and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver he took from them.
“I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood,” he told them.
“But, what is that to us? That’s your responsibility,” they said to him, according to our sources.
Judas then, it is learnt, had quickly thrown the money into the temple and left.
His dead body was found yesterday.
None of the other eleven disciples were available to comment on the death.
Some sources indicate that they must have gone into hiding after their teacher’s crucifixion.
The tomb was made secure by a seal on the stone and by the posting of a Roman guard, of probably four soldiers.
Judas kills himself !
According to reliable sources, he hanged himself, after he had a spat with the temple authorities. It was soon after Jesus was sentenced.
Allegedly, overcome with remorse, for betraying his teacher, he went back to the chief priests and the elders and tried to return the thirty pieces of silver he took from them.
“I have sinned, for I have betrayed innocent blood,” he told them.
“But, what is that to us? That’s your responsibility,” they said to him, according to our sources.
Judas then, it is learnt, had quickly thrown the money into the temple and left.
His dead body was found yesterday.
None of the other eleven disciples were available to comment on the death.
Some sources indicate that they must have gone into hiding after their teacher’s crucifixion.
EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT 1
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake. An angel of the Lord, they say, came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
(We are receiving many other accounts, and we will publish them in the next edition)
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