The Resurrected Christ’s Appearances

By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.

We are now in the period of the 40 days between Resurrection Sunday, Easter, and Jesus’ ascension into heaven. During that time, the resurrected LORD made a variety of appearances to men and women disciples, mostly to His close band of apostles, but also to one very large group of followers, described by the Apostle Paul as a group of over 500 brethren, most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote his first epistle to the Corinthians.

What was Jesus’ reasoning of whom He chose to appear to between rising from His grave and ascending into heaven, between the women early on Easter morn and finally to the group of apostles and disciples that received the Great Commission and witnessed His ascension?

Each appearance had a purpose known only to God, and not shared with any of us. We can draw our own conclusions from whom He chose to show himself in those 40 days, but wait till we see “face to face” to know the reasons why. Some were but one person, and the largest over 500, with the last, after his ascension, to Paul, while he was traveling to Damascus.

We have but to believe God’s Word, which lists all the occurrences according to the Scriptures. God said it, and we believe it. Still, we can ask our questions as to why. For instance, since most were to one, two, or eleven, why the group of over 500? And how did He interact with such a large crowd?

They could not all put their hands into His side or His wrists or feet, nor eat bread and fish with Him. It could not be so intimate a setting. But a large group of over 500 laid their eyes on the resurrected LORD and listened to Him speak. Jesus was indeed risen, and He was alive. And they could all attest to it.

But the real enigma is how can all of us, the millions of followers of the LORD Jesus, have intimate fellowship with Him in eternity as we are told we shall? This may be an enigma to us now, but I can assure you, it will not be so when we cross the river into glory. Somehow, it will happen.

The question is, more so, what will constitute your conversation with the LORD when you have opportunity to talk with Him. What subjects do you think are close to His heart?

Considering this, how are we to prepare ourselves in preparation to our being with the LORD? Should we not now be preparing oil for our lamps? What is it that we most want to bring for our conversation with Him? Perhaps we want to give some thought to this.

What one most subject is on his mind and ours? What consists of our preparation to be with and see the LORD in light of this? We should be enthralled with this subject, and it will be on our heart and mind a lot. So shall it be.

Praise the LORD, He is coming again, and every eye shall see Him, including yours. He is yours and you are His! Hallelujah!

Encouragement