Happy Easter!

45
553

This is what it’s all about: Jesus vs. the ultimate lockdown. From the Book of Matthew:

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord 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. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

~ The Book of Matthew, New International Version

45 COMMENTS

  1. A nice story, Senior Contributor. But unfortunately, it’s all a fantasy, upon which a whole Religion industry has been built.

    But if it makes people feel good, well, then go with it.

    • I find it fascinating how you can’t hold your snark on this subject on this particular day.

      History disagrees with you, but as a good progressive you must deny reality.

      I genuinely feel sad for you. How small and empty your life is.

      But you do you, boo.

      • Masked genius just because you believe in fairy tales doesn’t mean other people have to.

        • I appreciate you acknowledging my mental superiority over you, but really, it’s not necessary.

          If people look at history and refuse to believe the Romans, can’t help you.

        • No one is telling anyone what to believe here.
          The comment whitby made was absolutely unnecessary. If he does not believe in God, that is fine. However, he should leave those who do believe in God alone.
          .
          Instead, he shows up and mocks the religious among us. Demonstrating what a level of tolerance that I would expect from a schoolyard bully.
          .
          And, the fact that you feel the need to defend the Dog demonstrates a lot about you as well.

      • History disagrees with you? Which part? The part where someone is supposedly born of a virgin, then gets tortured brutally and then rises from the dead? That history? I’m quite certain not a word of it is true and that it never happened. If you buy into it, then you believe vicarious redemption through human sacrifice is a good thing. I think it’s evil and wicked. Thankfully, none of it’s true and there’s zero historicity to support the bizarre beliefs of this death cult.

        • Behold the multi-cultural “tolerance” and respect for “diversity” from those on the radical left. Their arrogance and hate for those not exactly like them is off the charts, and it is exactly THIS kind of person who would a willing and sadistic torturer for the regime, or a gleeful concentration camp guard.

          • Your response is ironic given that you’re consistently one of the most intolerant commenters on this forum. All you ever respond with is name calling and you cannot stand anyone who dares to have an opinion that’s different from yours.

    • I am humbly sorry that the devil has deceived you in this viewpoint. Jesus came to this Earth to fulfill his Fathers mission to save all of humanity. God is God, and he will not be mocked by men. His will be done on this earth. He wishes none to perish but gives us free will to seek him or not. This isn’t about feeling good. It is about eternal life in God’s Kingdom, where there will be no more suffering, no sickness, no tears, no evil men plotting against one another. Jesus is King over all the earth and will be returning soon. Whether you believe it or not, you will kneel before him and will give account for all you have done on this earth. He loves you and gave his life for you on the cross, but now sits at the right hand of God. We celebrate his resurrection from the dead today, his victory over death. Will you accept him today? Just look at the condition of this world, do you really think it will fix itself and everything will be okay? Jesus left this world as the sacrificial lamb but will return as a Lion. A Lion that will exact justice upon this world and cast all evil into the lake of fire. I will pray for you, because there are two deaths not one. Do not fear physical death but fear spiritual death.

      The Bible says, Proverbs 1:7
      The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

      • God gave us freewill? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? We have freewill because the boss says we do? You do realize the irony of that, right?

        • Ignorance is your strong point there cman.
          If you do not understand why that statement makes perfect sense, you should have a chat, and adult chat, with someone who is religious.

          • I was raised in a fundamentalist religious household so I’m well aware if the slack jawed irony of someone stating that they’re “given” freewill. At least I know I’m being ironic when I say of course we have freewill, because we have no choice but to have it.

        • You may have been raised in a fundamentalist religious household, but you apparently did not learn anything. But, if you think word gymnastics somehow makes you clever, you go and enjoy that feeling.
          No one else sees it.

          • No, I learned something. I learned that religion is a racket. Also that its not only manmade, it’s very clearly male-made. It’s a mind-forged manacle used to control and subjugate. It that works for you, fantastic. It most definitely does not work for me.

            But hey, I appreciate you calling me clever. Thanks!

        • Apparently, you are not as clever as you think you are. And, reading comprehension is not exactly your strong point. At no point did I say you were clever.
          .
          Besides, the comment I responded to initially had nothing to do with religion being a racket. It was about your word twisting clearly indicating that you do not understand what was being taught with the free will. You are the one making more of it than I am.

        • Lucinda, is that you? I’m going to assume you are sincere.

          To fear has wide meaning because of translating the original text into various languages. It was written and translated from Hebrew, Greek Septuagint, Koine Greek, and Latin, etc. into Syriac, Ge’ez, Gothic and Slavonic languages, Jerome’s Latin Vulgate, Old English, etc. and then the King’ James English and now modern English (and many other languages.) The word “fear” comes from Hebrew “yirah,” which means to revere and respect.

          Much of our interpretation and understanding has changed through the centuries because of changing meanings we assign to words. We use the term fear in a certain and narrow way in our day — we believe it means to be afraid.

          Fear in the Old Testament means to have an overwhelming sense of the glory, majesty, and worth of the one true God, a God who is mind-blowingly awesome.

          • It also means fear of God’s judgment as well as reverence and awe. It can also mean submission. Either way, you’re supposed to fear someone you’re also told to love, which is the essence of sadomasochism and abjection; the very essence of the master/slave relationship. No thanks.

    • There was zero reason for you to even click on this article. Let alone make a disparaging remark.
      .
      This comment tells me a lot about what and who you really are. None of it is good.

    • Whidbey, your ignorance is exceeded only by your astronomical arrogance.
      .
      I find this one of the most intolerant and hateful posts ever seen on MRAK.

      • Funny, I made a similar post as yours Jefferson, yet the MRAK moderation team seems to only post those in their favor.

      • Really Jefferson? Dog’s post is “hateful”? If that triggers you,then you are weaker than I thought.

        • Blaine, Whidbey is an attention —– typical dimbocrat. He had to make that post to get the attention he desires, be it positive or negative. I replied more than once, yet MRAK enjoys the traffic from these clowns. I guess that’s why I won’t donate to their cause because they have more respect for a liberal rabble-rouser than the conservative base which frequents this site.

          • If you can keep your comments more civil with less foul language and work on your spelling, you will have better results. Your opinions are welcome here, just not nastiness. – sd

          • Oh ok, so much for the first amendment. Yes I understand this is your site, yet you allow the likes of Maureen, Billy, Gregory, The Seattle guy, and Lucinda to troll your comment section on a regular basis. Pretty sad, but I don’t expect much from a faux conservative site which heavily supports Neocon/Uniparty politics. The only word I misspelled was on purpose. The other posts I cannot control what auto corrects, yet I honestly don’t care about those mistakes. You sure have changed since the Save Anchorage days, where I seemingly had respect for you.

        • Blaine:
          Whidbey’s post was not hateful because of the text he posted.
          It was hateful because it was absolutely unnecessary. This was clearly an article about Easter and the Resurrection. If Whidbey does not believe in God, that is fine.
          .
          However, his choice to post a mocking and degrading post about fantasy, etc… is the issue. Instead of just leaving people alone, Whidbey felt it necessary to attack. Therein lies the hate.

      • I won’t go with hateful, but I get why many would.

        I see it as a desperate cry from a sad, pathetic individual who seeks some warped validation.

        He needs prayers, not hate. But a healthy side of scorn is in order.

        • MA. That characterization of Dog’s comment and indeed of him or her is unjustified. It pisses me off that if someone challenges religious dogma in an even and mindful way, you pounce with over-the-top vitriol poached from Jefferson’s discards.

          Your defensive overreaction suggests an uncertainty in the solidness of you beliefs.

  2. The fantasy is the denial of the reality of a God who exists, always has existed and always will exist . Who created us in his image in order to share his love with us and gives us the choice to accept or reject that loving relationship with the consequences being of both a temporal and eternal significance!!

  3. I want to wish each and everyone here a beautiful Easter Day! Whether you are a believer or not, man woman or child, citizen or not, enjoy this day.

  4. OCS!
    Onward
    Christian
    Soldiers

    Whidbey is clearly one of the atheist agnostic miscreants mentioned in todays other article.

  5. Dear Lord,
    Please help the unbelievers to know the true Grace and Mercy of Christ. This I sincerely pray.
    Amen

  6. I’m always astonished at the vehement, angry, bitter, cynicism from unbelievers demonstrated on Easter and at any mention of Christian faith – that reaction of itself confirms the truth of the Christian faith. Trolls, wake up! Your denial of God has poisoned your soul.

  7. Thank you for allowing this commentary if only to share opinions and get people talking about God. He loves you all and will be returning to rescue his children soon. He is Risen.

Comments are closed.