Faith without religion.
The Resurrection and the Roman Empire: Unraveling the Mystery in Matthew 28
In a recent discussion, Shawn and Delaney delved into the final chapter of Matthew 28, exploring the resurrection of Jesus and the events surrounding it. The conversation began with the account of the Marys visiting the tomb, only to witness a violent earthquake and an angel descending from heaven. The angel, described as having an appearance like lightning, rolled back the stone and sat on it, a moment that both found humorously peculiar.
The discussion then shifted to the nature of angels and their various forms, as depicted in the Bible. Shawn and Delaney pondered the terrifying descriptions of angels in the Old Testament, with their many eyes and hands, and how these celestial beings might appear to humans.
As they continued, the conversation touched on the resurrection itself, noting that no one actually witnessed Jesus rising from the tomb. Instead, the angel informed the women that Jesus had risen and instructed them to tell the disciples. This led to a discussion about the significance of women being the first witnesses to the resurrection, drawing parallels to Eve in the Garden of Eden and highlighting the important role women played in the early Christian narrative.
The dialogue also explored the skepticism surrounding the resurrection, particularly the story circulated among the Jews that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body. Delaney questioned why the tomb was opened if Jesus could have simply appeared outside, a point that sparked further reflection on the nature of belief and the evidence provided.
Towards the end, the conversation veered into a discussion about the Roman Empire’s influence on the history of Israel, with Shawn mentioning a show that vividly portrays the empire’s complex and often brutal history. The session concluded with plans to continue exploring Matthew 28 in their next meeting, promising more insights into this pivotal chapter.
