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SearchRecognition of the Value of Communication
Their isolation had much to do with their troubles. John Mark kept them in touch with
developments about the temple and informed them as to the many rumors gaining headway in
the city, but it did not occur to him to gather up news from the different groups of believers to
whom Jesus had already appeared. That was the kind of service which had heretofore been
rendered by the messengers of David, but they were all absent on their last assignment as heralds
of the resurrection to those groups of believers who dwelt remote from Jerusalem. For the first
time in all these years the apostles realized how much they had been dependent on David‘s
messengers for their daily information regarding the affairs of the kingdom.
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All this day Peter characteristically vacillated emotionally between faith and doubt concerning
the Master‘s resurrection. Peter could not get away from the sight of the grave cloths resting
there in the tomb as if the body of Jesus had just evaporated from within. ―But,‖ reasoned Peter,
―if he has risen and can show himself to the women, why does he not show himself to us, his
apostles?‖ Peter would grow sorrowful when he thought that maybe Jesus did not come to them
on account of his presence among the apostles, because he had denied him that night in Annas‘s
courtyard. And then would he cheer himself with the word brought by the women, ―Go tell my
apostles — and Peter.‖ But to derive encouragement from this message implied that he must
believe that the women had really seen and heard the risen Master. Thus Peter alternated between
faith and doubt throughout the whole day, until a little after eight o‘clock, when he ventured out
into the courtyard. Peter thought to remove himself from among the apostles so that he might not
prevent Jesus‘ coming to them because of his denial of the Master.
James Zebedee at first advocated that they all go to the tomb; he was strongly in favor of doing
something to get to the bottom of the mystery. It was Nathaniel who prevented them from going
out in public in response to James‘s urging, and he did this by reminding them of Jesus‘ warning
against unduly jeopardizing their lives at this time. By noontime James had settled down with the
others to watchful waiting. He said little; he was tremendously disappointed because Jesus did
not appear to them, and he did not know of the Master‘s many appearances to other groups and
individuals.
Andrew did much listening this day. He was exceedingly perplexed by the situation and had
more than his share of doubts, but he at least enjoyed a certain sense of freedom from
responsibility for the guidance of his fellow apostles. He was indeed grateful that the Master had
released him from the burdens of leadership before they fell upon these distracting times.
More than once during the long and weary hours of this tragic day, the only sustaining influence
of the group was the frequent contribution of Nathaniel‘s characteristic philosophic counsel. He
was really the controlling influence among the ten throughout the entire day. Never once did he
express himself concerning either belief or disbelief in the Master‘s resurrection. But as the day
wore on, he became increasingly inclined toward believing that Jesus had fulfilled his promise to
rise again.
Simon Zelotes was too much crushed to participate in the discussions. Most of the time he
reclined on a couch in a corner of the room with his face to the wall; he did not speak half a
dozen times throughout the whole day. His concept of the kingdom had crashed, and he could
not discern that the Master‘s resurrection could materially change the situation. His
disappointment was very personal and altogether too keen to be recovered from on short notice,
even in the face of such a stupendous fact as the resurrection.
Strange to record, the usually inexpressive Philip did much talking throughout the afternoon of
this day. During the forenoon he had little to say, but all afternoon he asked questions of the
other apostles. Peter was often annoyed by Philip‘s questions, but the others took his inquiries
good-naturedly. Philip was particularly desirous of knowing, provided Jesus had really risen
from the grave, whether his body would bear the physical marks of the crucifixion.
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Matthew was highly confused; he listened to the discussions of his fellows but spent most of the
time turning over in his mind the problem of their future finances. Regardless of Jesus‘ supposed
resurrection, Judas was gone, David had unceremoniously turned the funds over to him, and they
were without an authoritative leader. Before Matthew got around to giving serious consideration
to their arguments about the resurrection, he had already seen the Master face to face.
The Alpheus twins took little part in these serious discussions; they were fairly busy with their
customary ministrations. One of them expressed the attitude of both when he said, in reply to a
question asked by Philip: ―We do not understand about the resurrection, but our mother says she
talked with the Master, and we believe her.‖
Thomas was in the midst of one of his typical spells of despairing depression. He slept a portion
of the day and walked over the hills the rest of the time. He felt the urge to rejoin his fellow
apostles, but the desire to be by himself was the stronger.
The Master put off the first morontia appearance to the apostles for a number of reasons. First, he
wanted them to have time, after they heard of his resurrection, to think well over what he had
told them about his death and resurrection when he was still with them in the flesh. The Master
wanted Peter to wrestle through with some of his peculiar difficulties before he manifested
himself to them all. In the second place, he desired that Thomas should be with them at the time
of his first appearance. John Mark located Thomas at the home of Simon in Bethpage early this
Sunday morning, bringing word to that effect to the apostles about eleven o‘clock. Any time
during this day Thomas would have gone back to them if Nathaniel or any two of the other
apostles had gone for him. He really wanted to return, but having left as he did the evening
before, he was too proud to go back of his own accord so soon. By the next day he was so
depressed that it required almost a week for him to make up his mind to return. The apostles
waited for him, and he waited for his brethren to seek him out and ask him to come back to them.
Thomas thus remained away from his associates until the next Saturday evening, when, after
darkness had come on, Peter and John went over to Bethpage and brought him back with them.
And this is also the reason why they did not go at once to Galilee after Jesus first appeared to
them; they would not go without Thomas.