In the early dawn of the first day of the week, a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, approached the tomb of Jesus, preparing to anoint his body with the spices they had gathered.

Their hearts sank as they discovered the large stone previously sealing the tomb had been moved aside. Tentatively stepping inside, they were met with an empty tomb; Jesus’ body was nowhere to be found. Confusion clouded their minds, only to be scattered by two figures appearing suddenly in radiant apparel.

The women fell to the ground in shock, their eyes averted from the celestial beings. The angels gently asked the women why they were looking for the living among the dead, reminding them of Jesus’ prophesied resurrection after the third day, which He had explained to them in Galilee. The women’s hearts raced as they recollected His words, and they hastily left the tomb to find the rest of the disciples.

But their story was received with skepticism, with the apostles dismissing their words as mere idle talk. Peter, however, felt a surge of hope and curiosity. He rose from their midst and sprinted towards the tomb, only to confirm the women’s account: it was indeed empty, save for the linen cloths that once wrapped Jesus’ body.

Meanwhile, two of the disciples walked to a village named Emmaus, located sixty furlongs away from Jerusalem. As they ventured, they discussed the recent events concerning the crucifixion and apparent resurrection of Jesus. As they walked, their conversation was joined by a stranger – Jesus – though their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

He probed their discussion, to which they explained the trial, crucifixion, and rumored resurrection of Jesus the Nazarene. Jesus then rebuked them for their lack of faith, opening the scriptures to them and explaining all the prophesies leading to His suffering, death, and resurrection.

As they neared the village, the disciples urged the stranger to dine with them. Sitting down to eat, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, and broke it, giving it to them. At this gesture, their eyes were finally opened and they realized this was no stranger but Jesus Himself. Yet, no sooner did they realize this, Jesus vanished from their presence.

Excitement and awe filling their hearts, the disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem, announcing Jesus’ resurrection and His appearance to Simon. As they recounted their story, Jesus himself stood among them. Panic initially gripped them, believing they were seeing a spirit.

Jesus, in His mercy, calmed their fears, inviting them to touch Him and see that a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as they could see He had. He even ate a piece of broiled fish they offered him to further prove His bodily resurrection.

With His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus explained, the law, prophets, and psalms concerning Him were entirely fulfilled. He opened their minds to the scriptures and instructed them to begin preaching repentance and remission of sins to all nations from Jerusalem.

He further informed them that they were to receive the promise of His Father, the power from on high, but they were to stay in Jerusalem until they received it. Taking them to Bethany, He blessed them one last time before ascending to heaven.

Jesus’ ascension filled the disciples with uncontainable joy, and they returned to Jerusalem to spend all their time in the temple, worshiping the resurrected Savior and blessing God for His indescribable gift.