THE IMPACT OF THE POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES
MEETING THE RISEN LORD
The Impact of the Appearances of Jesus
The empty tomb gave a glimpse of hope but still the disciples of Jesus could not understand the full impact of its meaning. They vaguely remembered the predictions of Jesus but they could not understand (John 20:9).
In fact, Jesus had to explain the meaning of the Scriptures to them.
The truth of the resurrection lies in the radical impact it had on the disciples and on their enemies. We have already noticed the disciples were huddled together in the grip of fear, leading a semi-clandestine life in case they became directly implicated in this failed cause. The transformation that occurred in these disciples after the resurrection was radical.
Peter was transformed from a fearful person to one who fearlessly proclaimed the good news. He became the central figure, the leader of the Christian community. Thomas was transformed from a sceptic to a believer. The first group of friends of Jesus was transformed from a group of people who hid in a closed room into a group of activists that no one could stop. They were prepared to face persecution and martyrdom. This transformation was due to the resurrection and the promised Holy Spirit. Listen to the speech of Peter before the crowd
“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ... Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ... So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Perhaps the most radical impact of the resurrection appearances is best seen in the fiercest enemy of the nascent Church, in Saul, later named Paul. Paul was a faithful Jew who fought to defend his faith especially against what he saw as a threat, the Jesus movement. The message of repentance, new life and baptism was well-known to Paul and other religious leaders.
It undermined the whole temple practice of sacrificing animals, which now became unnecessary having been fulfilled in the person of Jesus. Paul was a Pharisee and rabbi who had studied under the well-known Gamaliel. He knew his faith and did all he could to persecute Christians until, that is, he met the risen Lord. Paul was on his way to Damascus with the clear intention of wrecking havoc on Christians. No message could possibly have had such an impact. In fact, Paul new the message, knew of the news of the resurrection preached by the disciples but this only spurred him on to defend his faith against this new threat. Just like Thomas, it was only when he actually met the risen Lord that he changed from being a fierce enemy to one of the most devoted proclaimers of the cross and resurrection of Jesus and the new life. Here is an account of this event.
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:1-9)
After a short stay at the house of a certain Judas and after recovering from his blindness he became a staunch supporter of Jesus
For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
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Next: The Resurrection of Jesus Part 5, Enjoy the Resurrection Life Today and Forever
Introduction to the Christian Faith - Index
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