Part 3: The Resurrection

Jesus Appearances

The Post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are most meaningful. A brief survey of these appearances is in order. The first five were on the day of his resurrection. The sixth was on the first day of the week (Sunday) one week later. The remaining appearances cannot be definitely placed on Sunday, although some interpreters have suggested this as an interesting possibility.

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden where he had been buried. The story is beautifully told in John 20:11-18. When Mary knew the identity of the One who had spoken to her, she was so joyful that she laid hold of him as though she would never let him go. Jesus rebuked her gently. In paraphrase he said, "You must to cling to me as though you would never let me go away again. I was dead; now I am alive and with you again. However, I am not to stay here; I am to ascend to the Father."

The familiar English translation of Jesus' words, "Touch me not," is unfortunate and has led to erroneous deductions. The Greek construction is the negative plus the present imperative. As such it prohibits the continuance of an action already in progress. What Jesus really said was, "Stop holding me." An accurate translation is seen in several modern translations. Compare the following: Revised Standard Version, "Do not hold me"; Williams, "Stop Clinging to me so." The force of the construction is recognized by the lexicographers."

Shortly after he appeared to Mary, Jesus appeared to the group of women who had gone to the tomb to complete the anointing of his body. The account (Matt.28:9-10) indicates that the women fell to clasp his feet in adoration and worship. He did not rebuke them as he had Mary; their attitude was entirely different. He sent a message by them to the disciples.

Late in the afternoon of the day his resurrection he appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). This is one of the jewels of Luke's beautiful Gospel. Two disciples-Cleopas and an unnamed person (perhaps Cleopas wife)-sad and discouraged, walked the dusty road from Jerusalem to their home. As they talked of the things related to the death of their Master, Jesus joined them. There seems to have been nothing spectacular about his joining them. Perhaps Jesus came in from a side road or arose from a place where he was seated beside the road. As he walked with Cleopas and his companion, Jesus listened for a while and then inquired about the subject of their conversation. Cleopas said, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who does not know about these things!"

Then Cleopas went on to explain about Jesus, the mighty Prophet whom they "had hoped" was to redeem Israel. But now he had been put to death. There were strange stories told by some women who had gone to the tomb; they had returned to declare that the tomb was empty and that angels had announced that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Unable to believe the women, some of the men went to the tomb. They found it empty, but they saw no angels and no risen Jesus. Hope died.

Then Jesus began to speak. He traced through the Old Testament the indications that the purpose of God included the suffering and death but also the certain triumph of his Son. The hearts of the two were strangely moved as they listened. They remembered the glorious nights they had spent in the presence of Jesus; they remembered the emptiness of the nights since his death. It was nearly night again. How wonderful it would be to have one whose words made their hearts burn with the fire to pass this night in their home.

Upon the disciples' invitation their companion of the road went into their home. At mealtime he broke and blessed the bread in the old familiar custom. Eyes which had been blind to his identity (v.16) were opened to the realization that this was the living Christ (v.31). With news too good to keep even for one night, they returned to Jerusalem to report to the disciples that Jesus was really alive. In Jerusalem they heard of a fourth appearance of Jesus on that day. This appearance was to Simon Peter alone (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor.15:5). No record is given of what transpired at that appearance.

On that same evening Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25). Thomas was absent, but the remaining ten were present with the doors firmly closed because they feared they might suffer the same fate which their Leader had met. Suddenly they were aware of the presence of Jesus with them in the room. It was more than a spiritual presence. When they thought in their terror that they were seeing a ghost, Jesus demonstrated the reality of his bodily presence: he spoke; he showed them nail-scarred hands and feet; he invited them to touch his body; he ate in their presence. Here is the mystery of his body-a thing beyond human comprehension and explanation. His was a real body, but it was not subject to the ordinary limitations of time, space, and material as it had been before his crucifixion.

One week from that day Jesus appeared to the disciples again (John 20:26-31). This time Thomas was present. He had refused to believe the report of the disciples that Jesus had appeared to them. "You say that he invited you to handle his body? Very well, when I can feel the nail scars in his hands and the sword wound in his side, I will believe, too." At this time he received that invitation from Jesus. "Put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hand and put it on my side; do not be unbelieving, be believing." The record does not indicate that Thomas needed to do so. Evidently the sight of Jesus convinced him as it had the others; his response was a reverent, My Lord, and my God."

The seventh appearance of Jesus was to the group of seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-23). Heavyhearted and empty-handed, they were coming to shore in the boat. On the beach stood a man who called across the water, "Have you caught anything?" Every man who has fished all night and caught nothing can understand the short, heavy reply, "NO." The stranger suggested that they try a spot on the right side of the boat. With fisherman's alacrity to try any suggestions, they cast the nets and found them filled with fish. That was sufficient proof for John. Turning to his companion, he said, "Peter, that is the Lord." Impulsive Simon could not wait to bring fish and boat to shore. He jumped overboard to swim to shore and confronted a striking sight. There was Jesus, with bread and fish cooked and ready for breakfast! From an object lesson as well as from a question and answer period Peter learned many things that day: Jesus could provide for his needs; Jesus had work for him to do; his first concern must be to do that work.

Jesus appeared to a group of more than five hundred people on a mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18; 1 Cor. 15:6). They saw him and worshiped him. Even while some doubted the reality of his appearance, he spoke, giving them the commission to go with his authority and make disciples, to baptize these disciples, and to teach them the Christian way of Life. He assured them that they would not go alone; he would be with them.

Paul recorded (1 Cor. 15:7) that Jesus appeared to James. No other record of this appearance is given. Early Christian belief was that this James was the half-brother of Jesus and that by this appearance James was converted to the new view that Jesus was really the Christ.

Perhaps Paul's reference (1 Cor. 15:7) to Jesus' appearance to all the apostles may be the same as Luke's account (Acts 1:3-8) of the the last appearance. There is uncertainty as to the correct chronology. At this time the disciples persisted in asking, "Are you going to restore Israel to her proper political position now?" Jesus' answer indicated knowledge withheld, power promised, and a task assigned.

After assigning to the disciples the task of bearing personal witness for him from Jerusalem to the uttermost part of the earth, Jesus was strangely lifted up from the earth. A cloud came under him. When the cloud disappeared, he, too, had disappeared. Messengers of God appeared to assure the disciples that Jesus would return some day in the same manner in which he had gone away-visibly, mysteriously, personally, and victoriously. What more fitting close could he desired for such a life? He came from heaven. He became a man born of the virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless life. He died a vicarious death. He experienced a glorious resurrection. He returned to his home in heaven.

Thank you

See you, other time...

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