Last Sunday, Christians around the world came together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago. That event, more than any other, changed the course of history, bringing hope against hopelessness and light to those living in darkness.
You know, if you are also a Bible fan like me, that in the first chapter of the Book of Acts, Jesus, just before ascending into the sky, tells his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit descends upon them. Then, after it does, they should spread the gospel everywhere. They were to become bold witnesses of his life, his teaching, his death, his resurrection, and his kingdom.
But in between Jesus’ resurrection and the day on the hill when they watched him depart, he made a number of appearances to various people, as portrayed in the four Gospels.
The Apostle Paul summarizes the progression of some of Jesus visits in the forty days he remained on earth in his resurrected body.
…he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 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. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles…(1 Cor. 15:4-7).
I’ve long been fascinated by this time period. What was Jesus up to? All that we can know is what the Scriptures tell us. I have searched the gospels for all of the recorded resurrected appearances of Jesus and the words he spoke. I have found twelve, and present them here with a lesson we can learn and apply from each encounter.
Lesson 1: Don’t be afraid; be at peace! The disciples of Jesus were terrified and confused by the events surrounding his arrest, crucifixion, and burial. Though Jesus had told them multiple times that he would rise again, they didn’t comprehend. They were overcome with fear, hiding behind locked doors.
So, what did Jesus do first at his first appearance to them? He told them to be at peace.
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!” (John 20:19).
A week later,
“his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (20:26)
When we are tempted to be afraid because of world events or personal crises, Jesus instructs us to remain at peace. This is what he offers first to our trembling hearts. It is not the same peace the world can offer. It is higher and greater, a supernatural, transcendent, inexplicable gift (John 14:27; Phil. 4:7).
Lesson 2: I am sending you! Though Jesus’s disciples would not fully understand until Pentecost their mission or how they would be empowered to carry it out, the risen Jesus reiterated this message to them before he left them.
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28:19-20).
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” (Mk.16:15).
“…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
If we profess to be true disciples of Jesus Christ, we must accept his assignment as sent ones. We have been commissioned as ambassadors to tell the world about him, teach his ways, and do good works in his name.
Lesson 3: Be filled with the Spirit before going. Jesus taught before his crucifixion that believers must be born again and filled with the Spirit of God because it is the Spirit that gives life; “the flesh is no help at all” (John 3:3-8; 6:63, ESV). At his second appearance to his disciples after the resurrection, Jesus said,
“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22)
Likewise, in Luke 24:49, he declares,
“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
And he reminds them in Acts 1:4 and 8,
- “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…”
Jesus left no room for doubt that his disciples would need the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within. Without the Spirit, we are carnal Christians, Christians in name only, who lack the power and authority to represent Christ in the world.
Lesson 4: Search the Scriptures—I’m in every part and will fulfill every part. Jesus constantly referred to the Old Testament Scriptures that spoke of him in his earthly ministry. He continued this teaching ministry after his resurrection. A powerful example was when he met two disciples on the road to Emmaus:
“He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” (Lk. 24:25-27).
What an amazing experience that must have been for these two humble believers! After this teaching session, Jesus vanished, but met up shortly with these two disciples and the rest that were waiting in Jerusalem. Jesus said,
“This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (Lk. 24:44).
We must understand that the Bible is about Jesus Christ all the way through. Our never-ending homework is to search the Scriptures, where we will constantly be reminded that everything leads back to him in one way or another. This will support a single-minded devotion to him as our Messiah and Savior.
Lesson 5: Believe in things you cannot see. When we experience something with our senses, we usually accept that it exists in reality. Only two kinds of people believe in things that are not perceptible through the five senses—psychotics and people of faith. Followers of Jesus need to be squarely in the second category.
The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples, Thomas was not present. The second time, he was there, insisting that he wouldn’t believe Jesus was alive unless he could see for himself. Look at how Jesus responds to Thomas:
“Thomas, put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29)
It requires no faith to believe in things we can see, hear, smell, taste, or touch. God honors those who walk by faith and not by sight. As we grow in faith, we become more and more convinced of the spiritual reality of the things of God. This positions us to be witnesses of the supernatural power of God.
Lesson 6: Eat breakfast! (and dinner). Jesus did many of the same things as a resurrected man that he did before his death. He walked, slept, taught…and ate.
The disciples had resumed their fishing activity, but were not catching any fish. Jesus commanded them to lower their nets on the right side of the boat. When they did so, they caught a netful of 153 fish, so many that they couldn’t carry them all. Perceiving that it was Jesus who had spoken to them, they rushed ashore.
“When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught…Come and have breakfast’…Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.” (John 21:9-10, 12-13).
Luke tells us of a dinner they shared also:
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” (Luke 24:30).
And Jesus eats too:
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. (42-43)
I wonder what they talked about as they dined together!
As we are living this kingdom life in Christ, we can still enjoy normal, everyday experiences. We should take care of ourselves. We should be well-nourished and healthy. And when we are eventually in our resurrected bodies, we will still have the ability, like Jesus, to enjoy food and fellowship.
Lesson 7: If you love me, you will love and serve my people. After his breakfast on the beach with his disciples, Jesus turned to Simon Peter with some individual instruction. I’m grateful that John recorded the dialog, because we can apply to our own lives.
Peter had denied Jesus three times, and in what some have called a “reinstatement,”1 Jesus asked him three times, “Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?” (John 21:15,16,17).
When Peter responds the first time, “You know that I love you,” Jesus says, “Feed my lambs.” When Peter says the same thing the second time, Jesus says, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time Peter was hurt and said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus simply said, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus commands us, especially those who are leaders, to love and care for his people as evidence that we love him. We are all flawed humans, and often miss the mark as we try to walk like Jesus. But he will still use us to care for others.
Lesson 8: Don’t focus on the past or the future, just follow me! Continuing to address Peter on the beach, Jesus reminds him of his fragility and mortality, but doesn’t want him to obsess over it.
Very truly I tell you, when you were younger, you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!” (John 21:18).
Sometimes we are prone to make excuses about our lack of devotion or service to the Lord because of our age or season of life. We’re too old or we’re too young, or the timing isn’t right. Jesus’s answer will be the same. Just follow me. I will show you the way, at whatever age, or in whatever circumstance you find yourself.
Lesson 9: Don’t worry about my plans for other people, just follow me! Peter, continuing the conversation with Jesus, points to John and asks, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” (John 21:21-22).
Before the crucifixion, the disciples often compared themselves to each other. They argued about positions, status, and who would obtain the highest places of honor in Christ’s coming kingdom. Jesus always shot down those kinds of comparisons and speculations, and he does it again here.
Sometimes we get distracted from following the Lord with all of our hearts because we’re looking at what he is doing in someone else’s life. Jesus wants each of us to trust that if we are part of his flock, he cares for each of us, and will take care of our individual needs and aspirations as he sees fit.
Lesson 10: I am returning to you. In case you missed it in Jesus’s response in Lesson 9, he said, “…until I return.” He had alluded to this many times as he told parables and taught them about his walk toward the Cross and what would come after.
Jesus, when he ascended, was going to the Father to prepare a place for his people. It’s a place with “many mansions” (John 14:2). It is a place of peace, joy, and unending worship.
Jesus wants us to remember that we have an eternal and glorious heavenly home, and we will live with him forever. He is the bridegroom. He is making a home ready for us, his bride, his Church. He will return to gather us together and escort us home.
Lesson 11: In the meantime, you will do miraculous things in my name! After his resurrection, before departing the earth, Mark quotes Jesus declaring,
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17-18)
Jesus promised that when he ascended to the Father, he would send us a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who would empower us to live in the miraculous. As we live out whatever time remains here on earth, we will experience supernatural signs that we belong to him.
Lesson 12: I will always be with you! While it is true that we have to wait to see Jesus face-to-face and fully experience his presence, he is with us through the Spirit at all times. He empowers us and authorizes us to be his witnesses. The resurrected Jesus commanded his disciples:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
We are not orphans (John 14:18). As we represent Jesus on the earth, he represents us in the heavenly realms. As our advocate, he is constantly making intercession for us with the Father. He never lets go of us or loses us. Nothing can separate us from his love (Rom. 8: 38-39). He is our constant friend forever.
I hope this matrix of encounters, words, and lessons is enriching to you in your walk. He is coming soon. When he comes, may he find his people walking in true faith and obedience to his commands.
