Page 102 - Life of Christ w videos

Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to the other women who had come to the tomb. He
appeared to the two disciples traveling to Emmaus, to Simon Peter, and to all the disciples, except
Thomas.

Forty Days until the Ascension (Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-18, Luke 24:44-49 and John 21; Mark
16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:4-11)

Jesus remained with the disciples for forty days after His resurrection. The Gospels report that he
appeared again to His disciples, this time confronting Thomas. The disciples were told to go up to
Galilee. He appeared to the seven disciples who were fishing and provided for them a miraculous catch
of fish. At this time, Jesus re-commissioned Peter for ministry.

Paul tells us in I Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at one time in Galilee.
Paul also mentions that James, Jesus’ half-brother and writer of the book of James saw the resurrected
Jesus. Finally, he appeared to all his disciples on the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended to the
Father.

During these 40 days, Jesus gave his disciples their final commission:

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been

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given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
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behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age”.

Mark and Luke conclude their Gospels with the ascension of Jesus. The disciples watched as Jesus was
taken into heaven from the Mount of Olives to the east of Jerusalem. Luke emphasized that they would
begin their missionary activity as Jesus’ witnesses after they had received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Thus, his Gospel closes with the disciples returning to Jerusalem and devoting themselves to worship in
the temple (Luke 24: 52, 53).

An angel of the Lord gave the disciples, and us, a final promise as Jesus ascended into heaven. He said,
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into
heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven”. Acts 1:11

We patiently wait for the return of our Savior. We cry out, “Maranatha”, which means, “Even so come,
Lord Jesus”.

17.4 Let’s Practice…

1- 3. What three physical signs occurred the last few hours as Jesus hung on the cross?

4. What is the importance of prophecy in Isaiah 53:9?

5. How does the presence of the Roman guards prove that the resurrection was a real event?

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