We have been examining a selection of Jesus’ resurrection appearances. During the Second World War there was a very famous atheistic professor of Philosophy at London University – CEM Joad. He was once asked on a radio interview an intriguing question. “Who, of all the past figures in history, would you most like to have met, and what question would you most liked to have asked him?” His response was quite profound. He said; “I wish I could have met Jesus Christ. I would have asked him the most important question in all the world: Did you or did you not rise from the dead?” There came a day in Professor Joad’s life when he assessed the evidence, encountered Jesus himself and wrote a book called, Recovery of Belief. The resurrection of Christ changes everything.
- EASTER SUNDAY / FOLLOWING SUNDAY – READ JOHN 20:19-31; LUKE 24:36-49
It is clear that Jesus first appearances following his resurrection were to women, first to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18) and the other women (Matthew 28:9-10). He also appeared to the two walking on the road to Emmaus. There was also an appearance to Peter that is not recorded in the gospels (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5.) On the evening of his resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples (except Thomas) gathered behind locked doors. The following Sunday he appeared again to the disciples with Thomas in attendance. What can we learn from these two appearances?
a) The victory of the cross – In John 20:19 as soon as Jesus appeared to the
disciples he said “Peace be with you.” Thereafter in vrs 20 he showed them his hands and side. They could see the nail wounds an know for sure that it was Jesus. In vrs 21 we read again Jesus said, “Peace be with you!” The connection of peace with his wounds is quite deliberate. In Romans 5:1 we are told that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The wounds in Jesus’ hands and side were a visual reminder to the disciples of the victory that had been won on their behalf.
b) The nature of the resurrection body – Christ’s resurrection body was real and tangible (John 20:27) and also capable of eating (Luke 24:42, 43). However his resurrection body also possessed properties which was clear evidence of glorification. Christ could appear and disappear as seen from Luke 24. His body could move through solid objects such as the walls and doors of a closed room (John 20:19, 26). However it was still recognisably his body. The glorious hope of the gospel is that Christ’s resurrected body is merely the first-fruits of many more to follow. In 1 Corinthians 15:51we read; listen, I tell you a great mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.
c) Thomas’ niggling doubts resolved – In John 20:24 we are told that Thomas
was not present when Christ appeared that first resurrection Sunday. No reason is given for his absence. When he returned the other excited disciples said we have seen the Lord! Thomas’ response in vrs 25 was “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.” The word translated ‘put’ is a little too soft. Thomas wanted to push his finger into the nail prints and thrust his hand into Jesus’ side. I am sure that Thomas was quite insufferable for the next week. Every time one of the others spoke to him about the joy of seeing their master, Thomas would have said “unless I see . . . I will not believe it.” Thomas was a seeing is believing individual. Of course this is quite silly. He was laying down the conditions that God needed to meet if he was to believe. God had to jump through the hoops that Thomas had set up. The same principle can operate today. We hear people saying. I will commit myself to God if he heals my child. I will follow Jesus if he mends my marriage. I will happily become a Christian if God proves himself to me in some tangible way. Not only is this the height of arrogance it is also sheer folly. For what if God chooses not to jump through our hoops. Christianity would still be true but we would have lost out. According to vrs 26, Jesus left Thomas in that state for a whole week. When Jesus next appeared the circumstances were remarkably similar to the previous week, the same house, the same locked doors, the same company, the same appearance. The only difference was that Thomas was present and Jesus directed his full attention to this wide eyed unbeliever. Every demand that Thomas made became a command of Christ in vrs 27; put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas’ response in vrs 28 was outstanding. ‘My Lord and my God!’ This was a massive claim. Thomas was now as convinced a believer as he had been a confirmed doubter. In vrs 29 Jesus responds to this incredible statement of faith with a mild rebuke. Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. In other words; “Thomas you need to realise that seeing is not always believing. Believing is seeing! The 11th century Archbishop of Canterbury, Anselm once said in Latin credo ut intelligam which means – I believe in order to understand. I do not have to travel in a space shuttle and look down on the world to believe that it is round. Others have done that and I have sufficient reason to trust their testimony. Neither do I have to physically see Jesus to believe that he has been raised from the dead. Others have seen him and I have good cause to trust their reports. All the evidence that we need to convince a fair minded person that Jesus is God who became man is to be found in the bible. This is what vrs 30, 31 clearly teach; “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 does not tell us. “By the way after reading this you may want some confirmatory proof, so why don’t you search out the nearest Christian gathering and ask them to perform a few miracles for you. Jesus says; “These are written that you may believe.” Jesus would soon ascend to heaven and believers would come to saving faith without the privilege of seeing the resurrected Lord. Jesus pronounces his blessing on such people.