Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part one
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Jesus’ Appearances after the Resurrection part one
This is the reason we celebrate Easter. Jesus resurrection three days after His death, just as prophesied. To prove that He did raise from the grave He appeared ten times to Christians.
There is a time span of forty days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension. Jesus only appeared to His followers during this period of time and we have record of ten events. The first five were on the day of resurrection. If we combine the four narratives of the Gospel found in Mt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24 and John 20, we can get an overall or chronological perspective of Jesus’ post resurrection appearances.
Jesus’ appearances that first day.
1. Early in the morning of the day following the Sabbath (Which would be our Sunday) the women went to the sepulcher of Jesus to anoint His body. They went even though there was a 2 ton stone over the opening of the tomb. Mk. 16:2-3. And if that wasn’t enough there were armed guards there seeing that no one would disturb that stone.
Four of these were Mary Magdalene, Mary (apostle James the less’ mother), both these listed in Mt. 28:1. Salome was added to the list in Mark 16:1. Joanne was added in Luke 24:10. These last two women are not the same. These Scriptures also tell of other women that were there, but their names were not mentioned. Many of these same women had been at the crucifixion and watched from afar. These women were not all traveling in the same group.
The stone removed.
All these women found the stone removed already, Mt. 28:2. The angel told them to go and tell the disciples and Peter that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. They then went to tell the disciples. They would not be running to tell the disciples for they were heavy with many pounds of spices to anoint the body of Christ. Mt. 28:7.
Mary Magdalene found herself running to tell the disciples John 20:2. She finds Peter and John and tells them “they have taken away the Lord”. Meanwhile the other women have arrived at the sepulcher and find an empty tomb. The angel tells them that “Christ is Risen”, go tell the disciples. They leave to tell the disciples and on the way Jesus appears to them Mt. 28:9-10.
Now back to John 20 that tells us that at the tomb John arrives first, he is the youngest and can run faster. John stoops down and sees that the sepulcher is empty. Shortly Peter comes up and being the one who generally acted first and thought later, ran right on in without hesitation. Of course, not yet being “reminded” of Jesus’ words of His resurrection, being bewildered they left for home.
Now poor ol’ Mary Magdalene who had ran from the tomb to tell Peter and John tried to followed them back to the sepulcher. But after already running to the disciples now could not keep up at all with them going back to the tomb. By the time she arrives at the sepulcher Peter and John has already left. Mary is there by herself and remember that she has not by told by the angel that Jesus has been resurrected. She is distraught and starts sobbing. Looking into the tomb she then sees the two angels and ask her why is she crying? Mary replies, but does not wait for an answer, she just turns and leaves. I think this is when Jesus takes compassion and reveals Himself first to Mary, John 20:11-18. She then returns to the disciples to tell of the appearance.
Now the second appearance to all the other women that were carrying the spices back to tell then disciples, Jesus now appears to them, Matt. 28:8-10.
The first disciple Jesus appeared to was Peter. Luke 24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5. This would be the third appearance.
The fourth time would be on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to a couple of His followers in that evening. Mk. 16:12, Lk. 24:13-32.
The fifth time would be to the disciples when Thomas was not present. Mk. 16:14, Lk. 24:36-43, Jn. 20:19-25.
This five appearances of our Savior occurred on the first day. Between His first and second Jesus had to apply His blood at the Mercy Seat of the atonement of sin. This would begin His high priestly duty for the day of atonement. Remember that Christ is no longer restricted by the earthly laws. He is now in His glorified body, the resurrected body. Christ is no longer restricted by time, matter, gravity or any other physical laws. He now has put on the incorruptible and has been changed just Christians will in 1 Cor. 15:52. The only thing here is that when we do this it will be our first time. Remember that Christ was immortal before the first advent and now after His resurrection He will be again forevermore.
Just as the Bible prophesied that Jesus would be resurrected and it was so fulfilled. The same will be with Christians as stated in 1 Cor. 15:51-53, 1 Thess. 4:14-17.
