Apr. 14, 2024

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luke 24:36-49

For Christians, hope is not vague. We have a hope that is historical and personal. We have a hope that stands in front of the empty grave of Jesus and declares, “You, too, can live as Jesus does!” Jesus’ appearance to his disciples shows us how they came to recognize that Jesus was indeed alive. The disciples were not expecting Jesus to be resurrected back to life again and were having a hard time understanding what was going on. And then, as they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” One can understand the shock of the disciples at seeing Jesus. The disciples are as suspicious as the rest of humanity. Jesus gave the startled and frightened disciples two proofs that he was alive. Jesus’ first proof was an invitation to see his wounds and to touch him. Jesus’ second proof that he really was risen from the dead was his eating a piece of broiled fish in their presence. Eight days later Jesus appeared to the disciples again, and Thomas believed that Jesus was indeed raised from the dead and was alive. After Jesus appeared to his disciples, they never again doubted the reality of his resurrection. Jesus reviews his past ministry and previews the disciple’s future ministry. They were to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high, which is another way of saying that they were to wait until the Holy Spirit empowered them. Jesus’ disciples were completely transformed once they knew Jesus was alive! May God so empower you and me! 

Questions:

1.    Why was Jesus’ reappearance so important?

2.    How did Jesus give the disciples reassurance?

3.    What was the revelation that Jesus shared with the disciples?