Lord Is Risen (1952)

[Music] more than 1900 years ago on the hill called Golgotha there stood three crosses symbols of the terrible tragedy which had taken place on that spring day the Son of Man still hung limply from the nails that pierced his hands and feet the savior of the world was dead and in Jerusalem in the Hall of judgment where Jesus crucifixion had been decided Joseph of Arimathea one of Jesus secret followers had overcome his fears and had come to Pilate to ask for the body of the master that he might give it honorable burial I see no reason for not granting your request Joseph but the law requires that I must know Jesus is dead have the officer in charge of the crucifixion sent to me but I was there excellency I saw a Jesus died I do not doubt your honesty Joseph but I must know from the officer himself you are in charge of the crucifixion I was your excellency did you complete your task I did then he is dead yes Jesus of Nazareth you are sure of him I will always be sure of him sir what do you mean by that he is dead is he not he is sir but truly he was the son of God your request is granted you may take the body of Jesus [Music] after taking down the body of Jesus from the cross Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus another of the Masters followers brought it into a new tomb in a garden not far from the site of the crucifixion there they tenderly wrapped the body of their master in linen and spices as was the custom of the time as the hour for the beginning of the Sabbath drew near the two men were joined by others in order that they might set the huge stone over the entrance to the tomb other followers of Jesus had come with Joseph and Nicodemus these were the three Mary's Mary the mother of Joseph Mary the mother of James and Mary Magdalene they too filled with sorrow and grief had come to see the burial of the master but there were also enemies who full of hatred watched Jesus burial with interest these were the religious leaders and even though they had seen Jesus die with their own eyes fear and suspicion were still in their hearts leaving one of their own on watch they hastened to Pilate [Music] your excellency knows this Jesus had a large following he is dead they cannot follow a dead man your excellency we know that he is dead nevertheless his followers might cause more trouble trouble how sir we remember how this deceiver said while he was still alive after three days I will rise again since he is dead what can you fear now but your excellency his followers might stir up more trouble than ever does your guilty conscience make you fear a dead man serve we beseech you order the tomb to be sealed until the third day or eise disciples may come and steal him away and tell the people that Jesus has really risen from the dead then the last fraud would be worse than the first you have caused me enough trouble over this man in whom I found no fault what be done with it you shall have your guard of soldiers go make the tomb as secure as you can this is ridiculous first I have to watch the men die on the cross now I have to guard his tomb why now you're the priests afraid Jesus might walk out I heard that the priests are afraid some of his followers might steal the body and then tell everyone that their leader had risen from his grave that's a lot of nonsense nonsense on our way here and we'll be here for three whole days [Music] finished yes this is the end you're sure [Music] well the tomb is sealed I know what some of you are thinking but remember we have orders to guard this tool we will do our duty to your stations it was still night but the sunrise would soon come the Sabbath had passed quietly the long watch at the tomb of Jesus was coming to an end and the soldiers were relaxed so far their constant vigilance had been rewarded no one had tried to enter the tomb this was good enough proof the seal had not been broken yes it seemed that the priests and Pharisees had attached too much importance to the prediction of the crucified one but then while the tired soldiers were looking forward to be relieved of their duty [Music] cannot be it cannot be the stone it is being rolled away [Music] did you see the angel I couldn't see a thing look the door is wide open and then there was a great earthquake and an angel came and rolled back to stone his appearance was like lightning and his raiment was white as snow you must tell the people that the Jesus disciples came by night and stole his body away while you were asleep but it was not so you can make it so what what about Pilate if he thought that we'd fallen asleep we will satisfy Pilate and keep you out of trouble so be it and so the religious rulers having bribed the Roman soldiers could now spread their falsehood after buying the soldiers silence they could claim that Jesus followers had stolen his body while the soldiers slept [Music] but in the meanwhile Mary the mother of James and Mary Magdalene and salomi were coming to the now empty tomb bringing with them sweet spices to anoint the body of their Lord one thing concerned these sorrowing women they were wondering how they would be able to roll away the huge stone from the door of the tomb and then look it has been moved it's true it is rolled away I have taken away our Lord [Music] taking him away I'll just tell Peter and John do not be afraid I know that you're looking for Jesus who was crucified he is not here for He is risen come see the place where they laid him then go quickly and tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee there you will see him just as he told you trembling with astonishment and alarm they suddenly ran away from the tomb [Music] you must come to the tomb the stone has been rolled away they have taken her lord take him away what is it Peter the stone has been moved they've taken the Lord away we do not know where taken we must go to the tomb at once when they saw the open tomb they feared the worst but when Peter led John into the tomb and when John saw the neatly folded head napkin and the other clothes laying in the exact position in which they had been wrapped about Jesus body he knew that their masters body had not been stormed now he was sure that Jesus own prophecy had been fulfilled the master had risen [Music] woman why are you weeping because they have taken away my Lord and I know not where they have laid [Music] why are you weeping home do you see my view have taken him tell me where you were lady and I would take him away Mary we're not touch me for I am not yet ascended to the Father but go to my brethren and say unto them I am ascending to my father and your father to my god and your God [Music]