Witnesses of the Risen Christ

Read John 20:11–29 and 1 Corinthians 15:5–8. How did the disciples

react when they first met the risen Christ?

The two angels at the empty tomb told Mary Magdalene and some

other women that Jesus had risen (Matt. 28:1, 5–7; Mark 16:1–7; Luke

24:1–11). But soon Jesus Himself appeared to them, and they worshiped

Him (Matt. 28:1, 9, 10; John 20:14–18). He appeared also to Peter (Luke

24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5) and to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus,

whose hearts were burning while He was speaking to them (Mark 16:12,

Luke 24:13–35). When Jesus came into the Upper Room, the disciples

were initially terrified and frightened, but then they were filled with joy

and marveled at what had happened (Luke 24:33–49, John 20:19–23).

A week later, Jesus came again into the same room without opening

the doors, and then even Thomas believed in His resurrection (John

20:24–29).

During the 40 days between His resurrection and His ascension,

Jesus “was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Cor. 15:6,

NKJV) and by James (1 Cor. 15:7). Jesus joined some disciples at the

shore of the Sea of Galilee and had breakfast with them, followed by

a talk with Peter (John 21:1–23). There might have been other appear-

ances of Jesus (Acts 1:3) before the final one at His ascension (Luke

24:50–53, Acts 1:1–11). Paul also considered himself an eyewitness to

the risen Christ, who appeared to him on the road to Damascus (1 Cor.

15:8; compare with Acts 9:1–9).

When the other disciples first told the absent Thomas they had seen

the risen Lord, he reacted by saying, “ ‘Unless I see in His hands the

print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put

my hand into His side, I will not believe’ ” (John 20:25, NKJV). A week

later, Jesus reappeared to the disciples, now with Thomas present, Jesus

said to him, “ ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach

your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but

believing’ ” (John 20:27, NKJV).

Then Thomas confessed, “ ‘My Lord and my God!’ ”

And Jesus added, “ ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have

believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ”

(John 20:29, NKJV).

“ ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ ”

Even if you have not seen for yourself the resurrected Christ, what

other reasons do you have for your faith in Jesus?