Jesus had repeatedly told his followers in advance that his journey to Jerusalem would end in persecution, death and then resurrection on the third day, but “the disciples did not understand any of this” (Luke 18:31–34). Perhaps, then, it is not so surprising that when the resurrection did occur, they not only did not understand it, they did not even believe it. If you think about it, their initial disbelief is an entirely human, normal response. …showed first 75 words of 1226 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1226 total…just enough to know that there's more where that came from, and whose experience of the little deliverance that has already happened inside themselves and whose faith in the deliverance still to happen is what sees them through the night.2 Ultimately, says Paul, even our very physical bodies—perishable, dishonored, weak, and no more than a rag of nature itself—will be raised even as Jesus was raised—imperishable and in glory and power (1 Corinthians 15:42–43).