The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The first person to see the risen Jesus was Mary Magdalene. Considering the fact that Jesus was the original liberator of women this is especially significant. Unfortunately, many churches are still guilty of not appreciating the work of women in their congregations. Jesus could have chosen any person to be the first to see him after he rose from the grave, but He did not choose just anyone. He chose a woman who was a loyal and steadfast follower who never turned her back on her Lord and savior. She never denied Him, as did Peter and so many others, and she stood bravely by His cross when she knew it could possibly cause her to be arrested or even to be put to death. Along with Mary Magdalene, as many as 500 people saw the newly risen Jesus before his ascension to be with His Father in heaven.
On the road to Emmaus two men were heading back to their village of Emmaus, when they met Jesus. It was after Jesus’ death, and the two men were downcast as they spoke about Him. They did not recognize Jesus as he walked alongside them and spoke with them. They asked Jesus if he had heard the news being discussed in Jerusalem. Jesus then questioned their faith… particularly in terms of believing the prophecies of His resurrection from the dead. He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ 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 regarding the coming Christ (Jesus, himself). Jesus could have revealed himself at that very moment. He could have shown the two men all his glory, power, and majesty. There would have been no doubt in their minds that this was truly Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Instead, he questions their faith by quoting the Scriptures and the prophecies. How can we explain the fact that Jesus looked to the inerrant and infallible Scripture to show the two men who He was, rather than merely showing them His glory? This was a wonderful reminder that God’s Word is infallible, inerrant, and important. Upon reaching their village, Jesus pretended he had further to go, but when the men invited Him to share a meal with them, He accepted. While He was breaking the bread, the men finally recognized Him and at that time, He disappeared. Just think had they not invited Him in they would have missed this wonderful blessing. They would have never known that they had walked and talked with Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples”. John 20:19-20 NIV says, “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, 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.” When Jesus suddenly appeared in their midst they were frightened. We would be too if someone who had died suddenly appeared in our midst. But, Jesus immediately tried to calm their fears by saying, “Peace be with you.” Jesus then identifies himself by showing the disciples his hands and his side, those precious wounds of crucifixion still visible on his body. Surely that answers the charge that this is merely a ghost story, or that the disciples were hallucinating. This body in which Jesus appeared still bore the marks of crucifixion. It was the same body that had been put in the grave. He then asked for a piece of fish that he might eat in their presence. I have never heard any story of a ghost being able to eat. This was no vision, no mere hallucination. This was a real body, the same body that had been crucified. Our Lord is making it clear that he is alive, and that this is a bodily resurrection.
Jesus reveals Himself to Thomas, John 20:24-31 NIV says: “Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 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!" 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." 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." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Jesus cared about Thomas’ doubts. He wanted to give Thomas the answer to his questions.
If you have doubts or questions about God, Jesus is just as willing to answer your questions as he was for Thomas. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you go to Jesus sincerely with an honest and loving heart, he will help you understand his answer. Some Christians have had questions about why God did something the way he did, but have been too afraid to ask him. Perhaps they think he will punish them for lack of faith or for doubting him. But the fact is there will be things about God’s plan that we are not meant to understand. He does want us to have peace in our lives so when we have questions; it’s all right to go to God with our doubts. He will answer us...
John 21:1-14, the experience with the Risen Jesus at the Sea of Tiberius was a marvelous moment for the disciples. The disciples were fishing because they had become bored and impatient for the Lord to come to them. When he called to them they did not immediately recognize him. It is interesting that it was the Apostle John, the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” who first recognized His Lord. The fact that Jesus loved John is mentioned so often not because Jesus didn’t also love all the others, God through Jesus Christ loves all human beings, but John apparently was able to love His Savior with more intensity and sincerity than the others. As soon as Peter realized from John’s revelation that it was Jesus on the shore, He immediately puts on his outer garment and plunged into the water. Jesus taught the Disciples that day that they must be patient, and that all things come about on God’s time table, not theirs. We must remember this fact in our day to day life. Sometime we forget and try to make things happen when we want them done. We forget to ask for God’s help. Without his hand in our life we will fail in His plan for us.