Resurrection/Appearances/Ascension
Life of Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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In this last chapter we will cover the events of the seventh period of Jesus' life that include His resurrection, appearances and final ascension.
In the previous section we saw the Jewish leaders demanding and obtaining permission to post a guard at Jesus' tomb in order to prevent any tampering by His disciples. We also learned that the female disciples intended to return to the grave after the Sabbath in order to properly prepare Jesus' body for final rest.
The Final Forty Days
Resurrection
Appearances
Ascension
There are three main events that took place after the death and burial of Jesus. Each scene is described by several gospel writers. They are the Resurrection, Appearances, and Ascension.
The Resurrection
140. The resurrection itself
Matthew 28:2-4
Only Matthew described what actually took place before the women arrived that morning to find an empty grave.
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.
We are not told how Jesus left the tomb or if He said anything, only the angel's appearance and the guards' reaction.
141. The women find the empty tomb
Matthew 28:1
Mark 16:1-4
Luke 24:1-3
John 20:1-2
Mary Magdalene, Jesus' Aunt Mary, Johana and others come to the tomb to finish the burial process.
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
By now the soldiers have probably run back to the chief officials. It appears that Mary Magdalene immediately returns to tell the Apostles leaving the other women alone at the tomb because she says they have taken the Lord and we don’t know where he is laid (John 20:2 but later we will see that the women leave the tomb and see Jesus).
142. The angels speak to the women
Matthew 28:5-7
Mark 16:5-8
Luke 24:4-8
The women who remain see two angels and become afraid.
While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”
They also tell the women that Jesus has gone to Galilee (in the north again) to meet His disciples. These women also leave with the intention of telling the disciples that the Lord has risen from the dead.
143. Peter and John arrive at the tomb
Mark 16:11
Luke 24:9-12
John 20:3-10
Now that the other women have left the scene to tell the Apostles and disciples. Mary’s message is received with skepticism-
but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
While the others were skeptical, Peter and John have raced to the scene ahead of Mary who is trailing behind (assumed because John 20:11 places her at the tomb in this scene).
John arrives first but waits for Peter to go inside. Once inside they see the linen wrappings on the ground and the towel, used to cover his face, rolled up in the corner. John saw the empty tomb, then believed and may have finally grasped what Jesus is taught about his death and resurrection.
Why do you think the apostles are skeptical?
The Appearances
These are very hard to put in order because of the small time frame and little background information given. Up to this point no one has seen Jesus, but some have seen some angels.
144. The women (Not Mary Magdalene)
Matthew 28:8-10
The other women, who had seen the angels and were en route to the city were now visited by the resurrected Christ while on their way.
So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him.
Notice something interesting. With what attitude do they run back to the disciples?
He told them what the angels had said: go tell the disciples that He would meet them in Galilee.
145. Mary Magdalene
Mark 16:9
John 20:11-18
After Peter and John have seen the empty tomb and left, Mary Magdalene arrives once again at the scene.
And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
When Jesus speaks her name, she recognizes Him and tries to cling to Him, but Jesus does not permit it. He sends her to tell the Apostles of His resurrection and imminent ascension.
146. The priests bribe the guards
Matthew 28:11-15
While all of this is going on with Jesus' disciples, Matthew reports that the guards who had fainted at the appearance of the angels have gone to their superiors to tell them what had happened. They are in trouble since it was their duty to guard the tomb, so the Jewish leaders arrange to pay them a bribe to claim that the body was stolen while they slept. They agree in exchange for the promise that if this came to the attention of Pilate, the priests would vouch for them. Matthew claimed that this was the "official" story given out at the time that he wrote his gospel some 30-40 years after the fact (Matthew – 60-70 AD).
147. Peter
Luke 24:34
Peter doesn't even mention this appearance in his own writings. One of the men who had seen the Lord on the road to Emmaus recounts that the Lord told them that Jesus had indeed appeared to Simon Peter. Paul confirms this fact in I Corinthians 15:5 with a similar reference
and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
148. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus
Mark 16:12-13
Luke 24:13-35
We no longer know where Emmaus was located, but it was near Jerusalem (5-7 miles).
The two disciples were on their way home after being witnesses of what happened to Jesus in Jerusalem. While discussing this, Jesus comes along and begins to travel with them sharing in their conversation. They are prevented from recognizing Him as He questions them regarding their discussions.
They tell Him that they were hoping that Jesus would have been the Messiah, but now that He has been tortured and killed, they're not so sure. Like most Jews, they hoped the Messiah would be a glorious figure like David (a warrior king). However, this is Jesus response:
And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Jesus had taught the disciples these things would occur before he died but they didn’t get it. Still after his death everything has happened as he said and as the prophets said and the still don't quite understand. This again testimony to human stubbornness and selective hearing. We are often hear only the things we most desire to. Sometimes our ears are tickled by the words that condemn us but we don't really hear it. The same with the apostles and disciples. And to me this is a comfor, they weren't that much better off then we are having witnessed it then we are relying on their witness.
Anyway, they invite Jesus to supper where he blessed the bread and gave it to them. They finally recognized him and he vanished.
They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
As a note based on what is happening here and there recognition of Jesus based on the breaking of the bread it seems to me this group of people may have been at Jesus Last Supper.
149. Jesus appears to the Apostles and disciples
Luke 24:36-49
John 20:19-23
When the two disciples find the Apostles and begin telling them of their experience, Jesus suddenly appears among them. At this first appearance among them, the Apostles were frightened and He reassures them by showing His hands and feet and asks for something to eat.
And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
Why is this note about Jesus eating important?
After this, He teaches them what He had taught the two disciples along the road –
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Jesus informs them this is why you are chosen ones - you will send out the message of salvation to all nations starting here.
John tells us that it is at this point that Jesus breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). I think, though I cannot be certain this is how Jesus, “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” as stated in Luke 24:35. This begs the question what is the difference between now and Pentecost?
After this, Luke tells us that Jesus gives them the charge to be His witnesses in preaching the gospel, but to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the empowering from the Holy Spirit.
150. Thomas
Mark 16:14
John 20:24-31
In the previous appearance to the Apostles, Thomas was not among them, but this time he is.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
John gives a fuller description of the scene where Jesus appears with the greeting, "Peace be with you" and takes special care in convincing Thomas of His person. Thomas acknowledges Jesus as Lord and God, and Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Mark says that Jesus rebuked them for being hard-hearted and unbelieving (perhaps this is part of that rebuke). John comments that these things have been recorded for the express purpose of helping those who haven't seen to believe. Notice that the Apostles didn’t believe until they saw him or at least most of them didn’t (perhaps John may have and even Peter).
151. The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20
Mark 16:15-18
Jesus sends the Apostles north into Galilee where the majority of His ministry had taken place. It is here that He gives them the charge to go into all the world to preach, baptize and teach. His time for departure is drawing near so He comforts them with the promise that He will always be with them.
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
Note that even now, there are still those among his disciples doubting. Let us be patient with people in their questions and their doubts, just as Jesus is with the apostles.
152. At the Sea of Galilee
John 21:1-25
John gives another long description of a time when Jesus appears to Peter and the other Apostles as they were fishing.
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Peter with some other apostles - seems to be restless and turns back to what he knows best, fishing. It’s seems like Peter may have given up and is thinking something like, “Jesus has risen he has called us to share the good news but I have betrayed him by denial. What is left but to return to my occupation?” Peter has dejavu, as once again he is unable to catch any fish and someone tells him to cast his nets on the other side. He knows its Jesus when the pull in a great catch and Peter swims 100 yards to shore, Peter is obviously excited to see Jesus. I imagine Peter swimming as fast as he can with the boat only a little ways behind him. He arrives at the shore and tired but just looks at Jesus, unsure of what to do. Jesus tells them to bring some fish for him to cook and Peter runs back to the boat.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
It is here that Peter is reconciled with the Lord over his denial by 3 times asking if he loved Jesus. He starts off by asking do you love me more than these, by which I believe he means the fish. It appears that what Jesus is really asking is do you love me enough to stop fishing for fish and begin fishing for men. I called you from being a fisherman I have not taken that call back.
John completes this chapter with a kind of editorial comment:
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
153. Non-Gospel
I Corinthians 15:6-8
Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Not all of Jesus' appearances were recorded in the gospels. Paul also describes some of Jesus' appearances that fit into the gospel narrative, but are not included by the writers. Simply for sequence sake we note that Jesus appeared to over 500 in Galilee (perhaps when He gave the great commission).
He also appeared to James (His earthly brother) and Paul the Apostle, but this was much later after His Ascension.
Mike Mazzalango notes: approximately 549 people recorded seeing Him in different situations and on different days.
The Ascension
The final great event recorded by the gospel writers is the ascension of Jesus back into heaven.
154. The ascension
Mark 16:19-20
Luke 24:50-53
Acts 1:9-11
Luke says that this took place in Bethany, a place of happy memories with the Apostles, disciples and friends. They watched Him ascend into heaven as He blessed them.
Together, Mark and Luke record that the Apostles felt great joy, returned to Jerusalem, and later on preached the good news. Luke gives a more complete version of this event in the first chapter of the book of Acts where he explains that the Lord instructed them to remain in Jerusalem to await the baptism with the Holy Spirit which would empower them to do miracles and preach.
In His final words to them, He repeated the charge to be His witnesses to the world and Luke says that two angels encouraged them to stop looking into the sky noting that He would return some day in the very same way.
Lessons
Faith is assurance and conviction in that which we do not see
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
You and I did not see Jesus walk on this earth. We did not hear him speak the sermon on the mount. We were not there when he was crucified nor were we there when he rose from the grave. So, why do we believe in these things we have not seen?
We believe the testimony of those who were there. And that means a lot to Jesus and God, for you and I are blessed because we have believed in what we heard.
We have not seen but there are witnesses
The apostles did not listen to the witnesses at first but the witnesses testimony is what they later would share to teach about the resurrection.
People may ask you for proof that Jesus rose. You will never have that “Proof” until Jesus returns. But we do have evidence. We have eye witness testimony of more then 500 people. This is not proof but by the standard of the law two or more witnesses or even our own courts would acknowledge the witness of so many people.
We believe in what we have not seen but without evidence.