Witnesses to the Resurrection

By Cortlandt Parker

Having a personal encounter with the glorified Christ after He rose from the dead was an astounding, transformative experience. Would it be enough, though, to overcome the withering persecution which would soon follow? 

How would you react if you saw and conversed with a man who fulfilled his promise to rise from the dead aft

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jul 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781637691274

Book preview

Introduction

It was a tumultuous time in the land of Israel.

Rome’s rule was becoming ever more oppressive, with onerous taxation crushing the dreams of the ordinary Israeli citizen.

The imperial repression created a clamor across the land, one that cried for freedom from this tyrannical yoke.

Talk of armed resistance spread throughout communities, one that could free Israel from its oppressor.

There was also growing discontent with a religious hierarchy which was seemingly in the process of creating new laws every day. The public realized it was impossible to keep all these new laws and observed that the religious elite was unable to keep them either.

Into this turmoil emerged a rough-hewn man from Nazareth who brought hope, delivering a message of love and forgiveness mingled with justice and battling the political and religious dictates that had so oppressed the people.

His message—along with the ability to heal the sick, walk on water and raise the dead—created a massive following throughout the land.

But who was this man? Was he a prophet? Was he a teacher? Could he even be the long-awaited Messiah whom the prophets foretold would lead the people of Israel into world preeminence?

Or was he just a fraud, one of many who had come and gone over the years?

And were his prodigious miracles and healings the work of the one true God? Or the devil?

Whoever this man Jesus was, he was at the center of the maelstrom that was Israel during this time.

And, in due time, the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would know exactly who this man Jesus actually was.

1. Who Is This Controversial Miracle Worker?

The village is abuzz because a charismatic man, Jesus, is in the local area, having already gathered large crowds in other towns not only because of his message but because of his astonishing healing powers.

The news is enough to fill the heart of a blind girl, Rebecca, with hope.

Maybe this man can somehow let me see and give me a reason to live, she muses as she sits alone in her room.

Rebecca listens as her sister frolics in the house with her boyfriend, Joshua, who is carefree as both parents are working.

After rolling around on the bed with Joshua, Miriam taunts her sister. You know, Rebecca, you really ought to get yourself a boyfriend; you’ll have a lot more fun. She giggles, adding sarcastically, Oh, that’s right. You can’t because your blind…and always will be.

Later, more teens enter the house, and Miriam cooks up a snack.

Rebecca, come get some food, her sister says.

Okay, says the slender blind girl meekly, getting up and carefully feeling her way along the wall on the way to the kitchen.

For laughs, a boy sticks out his foot, causing Rebecca to fall on her face, leaving it bloodied.

After all these years, sister, I thought you at least learned how to watch your step, says Miriam as the others laugh.

With no help, Rebecca stumbles back to her bedside corner, fighting back tears as she knows her sorrow would only make the rest laugh harder.

Why doesn’t God just take me? she wonders desperately.

Later that night, both parents—Simeon and Susanna—return only to see that Rebecca’s face is covered with blood.

She just fell on her face, Mother. There was nothing I could do, explains Miriam.

Later, Rebecca winces as she hears her parents rail about having to take care of her.

It’s like God has sent us a curse, says Simeon. We barely can put food on the table and have a child who will always need our care for everything.

Her mother has an idea. There’s a preacher in town who they say can heal people of anything.

After some silence, Simeon grudgingly consents. It’s worth a try, I suppose.

Rebecca’s torn heart jumps with hope. Maybe this man can give me a reason to live, she thinks.

Desperate Parents Agree to Approach Miracle Man

The line is long as folks suffering all kinds of illness wait in hope of a miracle.

Rebecca’s heart races as she hears others talk excitedly of those who have been healed.

Then it’s her turn.

Her parents carefully guide her over to where Jesus sits. Master, we know you are able to heal our daughter who has been blind since birth, says her father.

Her mother intervenes. Has she a demon? Could her sinfulness be the cause of her illness?

Jesus, emanating a peace beyond understanding, sadly shakes his head at the parents for being so chained in spiritual darkness and then looks at the teenage girl.

Though blind, Rebecca senses love and compassion in Jesus that she has never known before. He also possesses strength, justice, and the authority to do what is impossible for a regular man to do.

Do you believe that you can be healed? he asks, saddened at her state.

Fighting back a lifetime of tears, she utters, Yes, my lord. God is able to heal me.

Jesus places some mud on her closed eyes and then massages them, at which point Rebecca feels God’s power working in her. Child, you are healed.

At first, her vision is blurry as she dimly looks into the eyes of this powerful yet compassionate man.

I…can…see! she says with a wonder-filled, trembling voice.

She looks excitedly in every direction as her vision comes more into focus.

I can see! Mother, Father!

Stunned, her parents hug her, crying for joy as those around murmur in amazement.

My lord, how can I thank you? she asks meekly.

Go in peace, child, he says warmly. Tell others of the glory God has wrought in you.

Zadok’s Convinced Jesus Plans to Lead Revolution

Another local is galvanized by this wandering rabbi, but for a completely different reason: Jesus is the One sent to free Israel from Roman rule.

Zadok is transfixed as he listens to this working-class ex-carpenter tear apart the establishment and talk about the imminent advent of a mighty Jewish kingdom.

Repent, Jesus thunders, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Zadok is part of a political movement known as the Zealots, which seeks to oust the Roman empire from their land. He felt the need to follow Jesus when he heard him say, Think not that I have come to bring peace to the world; I’ve not come to bring peace but a sword.

He loves Jesus’ revolutionary commands because they demand 100 percent commitment.

He that is not willing to forsake all that he has is not worthy of me and He that loves his life shall lose it, and he that loses his life for my name’s sake shall gain it are Jesus’ challenges to the Jewish people that they must be all-in if they are to remove the Romans from their lands, he believes.

Jesus not only has a revolutionary message; he has supernatural powers which make Zadok know that he was chosen by God Almighty.

And Jesus loves the rejected, betrayed, exploited, downtrodden masses that the political and religious elite hate and abuse, a fact that strongly appeals to the young man.

He’s telling everyone that his kingdom is coming…that means an end to Roman rule. He’s the One! Zadok excitedly tells anyone who’ll listen.

The time for revolution is now! he exhorts. We must act! No more talk! Jews who don’t side with us are part of the problem and will have to be eliminated as well!

It isn’t hard to trace Zadok’s hatred of the Romans.

His first memories from childhood are that of a Roman soldier storming into their home and raping his single mother in front of his eyes. Zadok attempted to protect his mom, but was flung to the ground by the man, who then proceeded to carry out his brutal assault.

Nearly equaling his hatred of all things Roman are passive countrymen, who heard his mother’s scream for help but were too afraid to move that dreadful night.

Rage and sadness fill his mind as he recalls his bloodied, beaten, and traumatized mother lying on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably after the beastly act.

As he rushed to console her, he remembers sadly, she still only thought of him and tried to conceal her extreme pain.

The lone answer, he decided at that moment, was to remove these monsters from the land by any means necessary.

As a teen, he fell in with others his age carrying out petty crime and, later, robbing wealthy Jews and Romans foolish enough to walk around at night. He saw nothing at all wrong with his actions; it was just a form of payback.

Whatever he got in spoils, he pawned and then used the proceeds to aid his aging mother, who suspected his activities but never asked.

But now, as Jesus preaches revolution across the land, he gladly renounces his life of crime to follow Him.

Wealthy Aristocrat Encounters Jesus, Finds Hope

Despite living in the lap of luxury, Leah is despondent.

Her artificial, meaningless life cannot be filled no matter how many parties she throws, how much alcohol she drinks, or how much jewelry her wealthy husband lavishes on her.

Pouring her a cup of wine, a servant happily shares how she went to see this preacher and gushes that this man is even greater and more powerful than the stories told about him.

He was healing people and urging everybody to store up their treasures in heaven. I’ve never seen so many happy people in my life, she merrily tells Leah.

The well-heeled aristocrat laughs condescendingly. I’m happy these poor people finally have something that gives them hope.

Once no one is looking, though, she removes all makeup and slips out of her mansion, clothed in a black dress with a shawl covering her head. The oligarch ambles along slowly, playing the part of a widow in the hope that her well-heeled friends won’t recognize her. Her arthritic pain acts up, but she is determined to see and hear this man herself.

Suddenly, she spots a multitude off in the distance. I must somehow find the strength to walk there and hear this man.

And she is not disappointed. Blessed be the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, proclaims Jesus, referring to those who seek true happiness.

The aristocrat, who supposedly has everything this life has to offer, realizes that she really has nothing, even less than those around her who at least have peace and joy.

He’s not this wild fanatic everyone says he is, she observes. He speaks of love, justice, humility, forgiveness. What could possibly be wrong with that?

Jesus does say something that disturbs her, What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?

It seems to contradict the lifestyle she and her husband lead.

After hearing Jesus preach, the multitude lines up for Jesus to heal them. This is a part of his ministry that her well-to-do friends often mock during their parties by faking injuries, then facetiously praising God.

The thought of being spotted by an acquaintance terrifies her. My friends consider these people to be stupid simpletons being bamboozled by a charlatan…maybe I should leave now.

Walking off, though, she can barely move; arthritic pain envelops her.

Need some help, ma’am? a man asks. Jesus can heal you.

She looks up to thank him…but he is nowhere to be seen.

Strange. He just disappeared, she observes, intrigued by the phenomenon. Anyway, I’ve got nothing to lose, and she makes her way to the end of the line.

It’s her turn. She suddenly recognizes, to her horror, that Jesus knows her true identity and basically her entire life.

Leah, Jesus says warmly, the pain throughout your body is gone… To her amazement, Leah discovers the pain wracking her body has completely disappeared.

Thank you, lord, she says impulsively, losing her haughty demeanor for a moment.

Go in peace. Tell Gilead (her husband) all that God has done for you today, he says tenderly, but with authority.

Walking home, she can only wonder, Why does everybody hate this man? All he does is bring healing and happiness.

Zephaniah Intrigued by Homeless Preacher’s Message

Zephaniah has just spent a long, hot day laboring at his dad’s mill, but instead of heading home, he runs over to a hillside in Galilee where a miracle worker is preaching.

Rabbi has warned everyone to stay away from this man, claiming he is a demon-possessed charlatan, but Zephaniah just has to see things for himself.

Jesus’ words appeal to the young man. He speaks of truth, righteousness, peace, happiness, he observes. It sure beats the temple, where all we hear is what we can’t do.

The young man watches in wonder as this charismatic man addresses the throng gathered.

Blessed are those who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled, proclaims Jesus.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

The more Zephaniah listens, the more he knows this man Jesus is speaking directly to him.

The young millworker is amazed not only at the miraculous power this ex-carpenter has but also his teachings, which emphasize love, forgiveness, and righteousness.

He considers his message more appealing than trying to obey the more than 600 laws that the rabbis say everyone must somehow keep.

It’s impossible to keep all those laws. Nobody can, not even the teachers, but they say we must keep them anyway, he reflects.

As for Jesus, Zephaniah can only speculate who he may be.

Is this man a prophet? Is he simply a great teacher? he wonders.

Is he a magician who learned his miracle-working powers in Egypt?

Or is the Almighty God of the universe revealing His power through this man?

Whoever he is, Zephaniah knows he has to follow him wherever he goes.

Heading back home, he quietly gathers his few belongings and slips away in the night, afraid to confront his dad.

2. Israeli Society Stunned by Ex-Carpenter’s Message, Power

The man and the woman know they’ll be in big trouble if anyone finds out.

After all, Anna makes her living as a prostitute, and her customer, Ananias, is not only a married man but a distinguished leader of the Sanhedrin, which is a religious order comprised of the wealthy.

The two had agreed upon a neutral spot, where nobody could possibly catch them.

Suddenly, the man’s wife bursts into their clandestine hideout, accompanied by men who had followed the couple.

There he is! she yells. Grab them!

Stunned that this devout man could be found with such a lowly woman, the men reluctantly grab religious royalty.

Clothe yourself, sir, says one deferentially.

Anna, though, is treated like the common harlot that she is and is dragged out of the inn and tossed onto the street.

Wench, you know what awaits you now! says one of the men.

A crowd quickly gathers around Anna, barely clothed, who quakes in fear of what she knows awaits her.

I have a child to feed, she says weakly in her defense.

Out strides the holy man who angrily bellows before storming off in his religious garb, She used Satan’s power in trying to put me under her demonic spell! But I…successfully fended her off!

Pharisee Demands Prostitute Be Put to Death

Arriving upon the scene are the Pharisees who know exactly what the law of Moses demands: Death by stoning. As the crowd circles around her, a young Pharisee, Ephraim, motions for others to gather stones.

As it is written, thou shalt not suffer the adulteress to live, decrees Ephraim as others murmur in