Here we point out some points and related issues we have not talked about in the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection. First, Gospel Luke mentions the two disciples who went to the village called Emmaus [1]. They left Jerusalem because they didn’t believe what was told to them about the resurrection. Although Jesus “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:27) They still didn’t recognize Him. It took Jesus to breaking bread to open their eyes to recognize Him [2]. Therefore, we can see that although the body after resurrection looks the same, but yet it is very different. Although they planned to abide together with Jesus, they didn’t since He suddenly disappeared. We again see the body after resurrection is very different with extra abilities
At that time, there were only eleven apostles since Judas Iscariot betrayed Him. (Ref. Matthew 10:4) Among those eleven apostles, Peter is the one Jesus appeared to first [3].` He then verified that He was not a spirit but indeed resurrected and had a better body which was not restricted by things like doors [4].
“Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “…You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”” (Luke 24:45-49) Therefore, if one wants to understand the Bible, the person really needs Jesus to open his mind. Nowadays, Jesus is in heaven and it is impossible to have Him to open our mind. But we do have Holy Spirit abiding inside us who can open our minds through revelation, and lead us to study the Bible. Waiting is needed not only at that time, but also nowadays to wait upon God and His appointed time. At that time, they were His witnesses. We need to be His witnesses through our life nowadays.
Next, we see in John 20:26 that Jesus appeared to Thomas with others after eight days. “After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”” Again, we observe that the body after resurrection is very different. Here the Bible doesn’t say if Thomas indeed did what was said in John 20:25, which says, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” The important thing is about what he said in John 20:28, “My Lord and my God!” We are indeed blessed since we believe even though we didn’t have a chance to see Jesus as said in John 20:29.
Another appearance was when Peter with six others went to fish. They are professionals, but didn’t get anything. When they followed the words of Jesus and casted the net accordingly, they got a lot of fish [5]. He again showed them that His resurrection was genuine, and His body could eat just like them [6]. He asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him described in this occasion too [7].
Finally, let us take a look about what Paul said about the appearances. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, he said, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” What he knows about the appearances after resurrection is described in 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. It says, “and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” The James mentioned here should not be the apostle James since he was killed very early, and some people thinks that James is the brother of the Lord [8].
Some related verses and knowledge
[1] Luke 24:13, “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.” Luke 24:33, “And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, …” Luke 24:18-23, “One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” …But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.” Luke 24:25-26, “And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?””
[2] Luke 24:28-31, “And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, …So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
[3] Luke 24:33-34, “And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.””
[4] Luke 24:36-43, “While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst …See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet….He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them.”
[5] John 21:3, “Simon Peter said to them(six others), “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.” John 21:6, “And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch. ” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.” John 21:11, “Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.”
[6] John 21:12-13, “Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and the fish likewise.”
[7] We discussed before in details what conclusion we could get from the words of Jesus, which is different from some others opinions. It is a video in Chinese about 17 minutes. For people who understand the Chinese, they can find in YouTube. https://youtu.be/gBnDs9LVAA0
[8] Acts 12:1-2, “Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them. And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword.” Matthew 13:55, “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”
(Verses refer to those in NASB unless otherwise specified.)
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