Now during the forty days that elapsed between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, He appeared to various groups to show Himself alive as He had predicted (Matthew 16:21, 20:19, 21). This is Acts 1:1-3, “In my former account, O Theophilus, in which I wrote a continuous report of all the things Jesus began to do and teach, until the day He ascended, after He had instructed by the Holy Spirit the apostles He had chosen. To them He also showed Himself alive after His suffering in the garden and on the cross by a series of convincing demonstrations, appearing to them during forty days and talking to them about the kingdom of God.”
There are 12 appearances recorded in Scripture. The first two were discussed in the last lesson. The third is found in Luke 24:13-31. As we follow this account we see two disciples (not apostles) are walking on the road to Emmaus. Emmaus was a small village about 8 miles southwest of Jerusalem. One of the men is named Cleopas, the husband of Mary’s sister and father of the apostle James. The other is not named, but believed to be Luke, the writer of Luke and the Book of Acts.
The interesting thing about this particular appearance is in verse 16. The text says, “their eyes were held”. Here, “held” is from krateo, to hold in check or restrain. They did not recognize Jesus, as we saw in the last lesson when Mary Magdalene supposed He was the gardener. Just how this happened is not clear. Was their eyesight affected in some way, or did Jesus have the ability to change His appearance? We cannot tell. This much is clear; Jesus could make Himself unrecognizable, then immediately be recognized as we see in verse 31 (as was also the case with Mary in John’s account).
But then there are other interesting aspects of this appearance. Let’s go back to verses 30-31, “And it happened as He reclined at table with them, He took bread and gave thanks, and then broke it and was giving it to them when their eyes were opened and they clearly recognized Him, then He immediately vanished.” As we consider the whole account from verse 13, Jesus had walked several miles with them, had questioned them, had explained the Scriptures to them, had accepted their invitation to stay with them (and supposedly to eat with them, though the account does not tell us specifically that Jesus ate anything, we’ll deal with that question in a later appearance), became recognizable to them, then “vanished”. This is the adjective aphantos, invisible, with ginomai, to become. As soon as they recognized Him, He “became invisible”.
The next appearance is somewhat vague, as there is nothing recorded that gives specific details. However, we know it did happen from what we can glean from following the above account. In verses 33-35 as soon as Jesus vanished, these two disciples immediately went back to Jerusalem and found the apostles and others that were gathered with them discussing the events of the day. It was very late by this time; but the excitement at this point, no doubt, is going to cause some sleepless nights. Verse 34 tells us the subject of the discussion was that the Lord had appeared to Simon (Peter). Paul mentions this in I Corinthians 15:5. However, the definitive passage is found in Luke 22:31-32 just before Jesus predicts Peter’s denials. “Simon, Simon, listen to Me! Satan has asked incessantly that all of you would be given up to him, that he might sift all of you like grain. But I have prayed especially for you, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back (to Me), strengthen your brothers.”
Here “turned back” (“converted in some translations) is from epistrepho, to turn back, used to illustrate a change. In Matthew 26:33-72 you can see Peter’s fall in the face of the pressure. He said he would die before he denied Jesus; but he forsook Him and fled, sat with His enemies, became discouraged and afraid, lied and cursed. But from Luke 24:34 where the group is discussing the Lord’s appearance to Peter, you will see a different man. This appearance to Peter was the beginning of his conversion, from weak and doubting, to strong and confident – a man of courage and strength in leadership, willing to die for His Lord – as we will see later!
The next appearance is found in John 20:19-20, “Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, even though the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you! And after He had said that, He showed them His hands and His side. Then when the disciple saw the Lord, they were overcome with joy.” Of course, here the incredible thing is that Jesus apparently had the ability in His resurrection body to pass through solid walls, a fact He demonstrated in His next appearance, as well.
The following verses tell us Thomas was not there and when they kept telling him they had seen the Lord, he said he would not believe it unless he could see the nail prints in His hands and put his finger in the nail prints and his hand in His side. Then, eight days later in John 20:26-28 Jesus appeared to the same group, but with Thomas present. Verse 26 tells us, again, the doors were locked, and suddenly Jesus stood among them.
This is verses 27-29, “Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, see My hands; and stretch out your hand and put it in My side. Stop this doubt and unbelief. Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Since you have seen Me, do you believe now? Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.” Now this brings up another point. In His resurrection body Jesus still carries the marks of His crucifixion. Yet, what this account does not say is that Thomas had to wipe the blood off of his finger and hand. Why, because those wounds were not bleeding. It is obvious that this new, eternal body that results from a resurrection is not sustained by physical blood! (Compare Luke 24:36-43)
Then I can’t resist quoting verses 30-31. “There are also many other miracles Jesus did in the presence of the disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that by believing you might have this same life through His name.” (Philippians 3:20-21)