O Tala i le Toetu – Faʻaauau…

So far we have heard how the women found that the tomb was empty. Ona, they saw angels and, mulimuli ane, they met Jesus. Taimi nei, we will go on to consider the other evidence.

1. A tomb, but no body.

Peter and John examine the grave.

Peter and John confirmed that the grave was empty. But when Jesus was buried, many long, thin pieces of woven fabric were used to wrap his body. They were all left behind: but it was arranged in a very unusual way. If thieves tore cloths from a dead body they would leave a mess. But this was very neat and tidy. So they were sure it was not thieves. But they still did not understand that these things had been predicted.

Le Tuugamau ua Faagaloina.

After that nobody is interested in the tomb. This confirms that there was nothing in it. The authorities could not find Jesus’ body. For the Christians, it was no longer important. They were only interested in the living Jesus.

2. Jesus meets the disciples at Jerusalem.

The Road to Emmaeus.

Two disciples were leaving Jerusalem. They were sad about Jesus’ oti: but puzzled by the women’s stories. A man met them on the road. He told them the Bible said that Jesus would be killed and then become alive again. That night he ate with them. He broke bread like Jesus did. They finally recognize him: and suddenly he vanishes!

Peter’s Private Meeting.

On the same day Jesus met Peter. But we have no details of this very private meeting.

The Upper Room.

That night, the disciples meet in an upstairs room. They closed the door, so no one else can come inside. Suddenly, Jesus appeared in the room. He showed them his wounds. He allowed them to touch his body. He even ate food.

Thomas.

Thomas was not in the room that night. When the other disciples told him, he did not believe. Na ia fai mai ai: “I want to see the injuries caused by the nails.” “I must push my hand into the hole that is in Jesus’ body.” A week later, Jesus appeared again. Jesus repeats what Thomas said. And Jesus says, ‘Do it.”

3. Jesus meets with his disciples in Galilee.

At the beginning, Jesus told the disciples to go to Galilee. Mulimuli ane, they go. They stay for about a month and often meet with Jesus. Jesus provides many proofs that he had really come back from the dead. He teaches them. He eats with them. The gospels describe two of these meetings.

A Fishing Miracle.

After a failed night of fishing, they see Jesus on the shore. Jesus tells them where to put the net. They catch so many fish that the boat almost sinks! On reaching shore, they find that Jesus is already cooking fish. Later, in private, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you really love me?”

A Meeting on the Mountain.

This is a meeting on a mountain in Galilee. This is not the time when Jesus is seen ascending into heaven. Jesus commands the disciples, “Alu. Teach all nations.” He promises to be with them always.

4. Jesus Ascends into Heaven.

About 40 days after Jesus’ oti, he is with the disciples at Jerusalem. They climb the Mount of Olives. While they watch, Jesus leaves the earth and goes up to heaven. Then a cloud hides Jesus. Two men appear, wearing white clothing. Latou te fai mai, “Jesus will come back.” “He will come back from the sky.”

Mulimuli ane, Jesus rarely appears. But soon the Holy Spirit comes. Many miracles happen. The number of believers increases very quickly.

5. Other appearances of Jesus.

After Jesus goes up to heaven he rarely appears. Some people say that the next three events were earlier. But Paul’s encounter was certainly later.

500 men at the same time!

Paul says that Jesus was seen by more than 500 men at the same time. He also says most of these men are still alive when he writes this.

Iakopo.

Sosoo ai, Jesus appeared to his own brother, Iakopo. But we do not know when or how it happened.

O Au Aposetolo uma.

Later on, Jesus was seen by ‘all the apostles’. We know very little about this. But it appears to include more than the original twelve apostles.

Paulo.

Paul is going to Damascus to arrest Christians. He sees a light from heaven and Jesus speaks to him. Paul’s friends see this light. But they do not understand the voice. Paul is blind for three days: but a Christian prays for him and he is healed. Because of this, Paul became one of the most devoted followers of Jesus.