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Risen Jesus' Command

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(John 20:22-23)

And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

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It was the third morning after Jesus died on the cross.
Some Roman soldiers were guarding in front of the tomb because Jesus had said that he would raise again.

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Early on the morning of the third day after Jesus had died, Mary Magdalene had been surprised when she had gone to the tomb, because the stone had been removed from the entrance of the tomb. Also, the soldiers were not there anymore.

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Mary Magdalene quickly ran to tell this truth to Peter and John. After these two men heard this news, they ran toward Jesus' tomb. As Mary Magdalene had spoken, the stone in front of the tomb in fact had been moved.

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First, Peter bent over and looked in the tomb and then John did.
The strips of linen and the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head were folded up.

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Jesus' body was not in the tomb. Peter and John checked but there was no body in the tomb so they went back to their homes. But Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb crying.

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After the disciples left, Mary Magdalene also bent over to look into the tomb.
She saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

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Mary said to them,
"They have taken my Lord away, and I don't know where they have put him."

At this, she turned around and saw a man standing there.

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The man said to Mary, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

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Then, the man called her name, "Mary".
The man was Jesus. Mary saw the risen alive Jesus.
Mary was so glad as though she was in a dream.

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Jesus told Mary Magdalene to go tell this news to the disciples that Jesus has risen.
Mary went to the disciples and said as Jesus had told her.
"I have seen the Lord. He has risen."

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The disciples heard the news of Mary together in a place to listen to Jesus, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews.

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Then Jesus came and stood among them.
He did not open the door. He said, "Peace be with you!"

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Jesus showed them his hands and side.
Finally, the disciples believed that Jesus had raised again.
Jesus proved that he had raised again from the dead.

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Jesus gave a very important command to the disciples. Again Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven." Jesus told them the truth about his resurrection.

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We should keep Jesus' command too not only the disciples but also the people who believe in Jesus today. The command is to tell that Jesus raised again and everyone who believes in Jesus can go to heaven. I hope that you keep Jesus' command and get the praise of Jesus too.