Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we meet together in your name,
prepare us in heart and mind
to listen to what you have to say to us.
Help us to listen to one another,
so that we may help each other
to grasp your will for us.
Deepen and enrich our fellowship as members of your body
inspire us with a deep longing for your truth;
and enable to grow together in knowledge, in love
and in the joyous freedom of the children of God;
for your name’s sake.
Amen
Quotation from William Barclay’s –
Daily Study Bible – Gospel of John – Volume 2
“There were many who said that the appearances of the Risen Christ were nothing more than visions which the disciples had.
Many would admit the reality of the visions but insist that they were only visions.
Some would go further and say that they were not a vision but hallucinations.”
Reading from 1 Corinthians Chap: 15 (NIV)
- For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
- 4. that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Introduction
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the most thoroughly attested event in ancient history. .Witnessed by hundreds and proclaimed fearlessly by those who saw the risen Lord.
Paul recounts the gospel delivered to him: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Jesus showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by the disciples over forty days and speaking of things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
He was seen by Peter (Cephas), then by the twelve disciples (not including Thomas), after that by above five hundred brethren at once (of whom the greater part remained alive when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, available for cross-examination), then by James, then by all the apostles, and last of all by Paul himself on the road to Damascus.
In 1 John Chap:1 (NIV), he testifies –
The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
The resurrection is not myth, legend, or spiritual metaphor. but historical fact, testified by eyewitnesses willing to suffer and die rather than recant their testimony.
The empty tomb, the transformed disciples, the birth of the church, the conversion of sceptics like Paul and James—all confirm that death could not hold the Prince of Life.
Notes- Resurrection Appearances
Christ’s post-resurrection appearances demonstrate that His resurrection was bodily, not merely spiritual or visionary. When the disciples feared they saw a spirit, as recorder by John in Chap: 20
John Chap: 20
- On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
- After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
- Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
- And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
- 23. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Then Thomas doubted, and Jesus invited him to –
- 27. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
- 28. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Thomas responded in worship:
‘My Lord and my God.’
On Galilee’s shore, Jesus prepared breakfast for the disciples. Taking bread and fish and giving it to them, in a scene of intimate, physical fellowship.
The appearances occurred over forty days, to various individuals and groups, in different locations. In Jerusalem, Galilee, Emmaus, and on the Mount of Olives.
He appeared, firstly, to Mary Magdalene in the garden the day of His resurrection.
Then, to Peter individually, to the twelve, to five hundred brethren at once, to James, and finally to Paul on the road to Damascus.
Summery
The variety and number of witnesses, the physical nature of the appearances, the transformation wrought in fearful disciples, all confirm that Jesus truly, bodily rose from death.
Questions
- Mary Magdalene, – Where did she meet Jesus for the first time after his resurrection.
- Mary mother of James, Salome and Joanna – Where did they meet Jesus after his resurrection
- Did Peter (Cephas), see Jesus later the day?
- Jesus met two disciples – Where?
- The apostles (without Thomas), and with 150 others, met Jesus where?
- Who tell us that over 500 disciples at one time, met Jesus?
- James — How do we know that Jesus appears to His brother?
Conclusion
His resurrected body was real yet not glorified, physical yet not limited by physical barriers, recognisable yet possessing new properties.
This shadows believers’, that resurrection bodies, real, physical, yet glorified and incorruptible, are fit for eternal dwelling in the new heavens and new earth.
Closing Prayer
Amen
Helpful Reference’s
Mary Magdalene — First to see the risen Christ near the tomb (John 20:11–18; Mark 16:9).
Other women (Mary mother of James, Salome, Joanna) — Met Jesus as they left the tomb (Matt 28:9–10).
Peter (Cephas) — Saw Jesus later that day (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5).
Two disciples on the road to Emmaus — Jesus walked and ate with them (Luke 24:13–31).
The apostles (without Thomas) — Jesus appeared in the locked room that evening (John 20:19–25).
Seven disciples at the Sea of Galilee — The miraculous catch of fish (John 21:1–13).
The eleven on a mountain in Galilee — Jesus gives the Great Commission (Matt 28:16–18).
Over 500 disciples at once — Paul records this mass appearance (1 Cor 15:6).
James — Jesus appears to His brother (1 Cor 15:7).
Personal Study – After Session 4
Thank you for being with me during these weeks of study.
Please take some time in Personal Study, and please reflect on the session and all sections of the study in to Understanding Easter
If there is anything which you are not sure about, the please get in touch and I’ll see where I might be able to help
Please remember that the time you invest in study will be well spent, so let God use it to draw you closer to him.
Please study God’s Word.
Again, thank you for being with me.
God’s blessing