John 21:25, "There are also many things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen"
In today's message we are going to explore the forty days after resurrection to Jesus ascension. Bible scholars reveal 13 appearances of Jesus' during this time. They have gained this information by studying the New Testament for there is more information than just the Gospels. Jesus first appeared into Mary Magdalene, a blessed soul that He had forgiven. Was this a statement that He came to a woman first? I see a couple of things in the fact that He appeared unto Mary First: a) Those who rise early to seek the Lord with Love in their hearts for their salvation meets Him. b) His forgiving power sends them forth to tell others and after resurrection Jesus ascended to the Father before He appeared to anyone else. Second: Jesus then appeared to the two Marys, after He had been to the Father and now they fall before Him, touch Him, and worship Him. He gives them a message-- Matthew 28:10 "Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there they shall see Me." Third: Jesus appeared unto the "runners" on the way to Emmaus: He came along side of them in their sadness: "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. It's in the the revelation of the breaking of bread that they see Jesus! Fourth: 1 Cor 15:5-- "And that He was seen of Cephas,[Peter] then the twelve." Fifth: The disciples are gathered in fear and Jesus appears, speaks peace, and tells them, "as My Father hath sent me, so send I you, and He breathed on them the Holy Ghost." --John 20:19-22. Sixth: In John 20:26 Jesus appears for Thomas' sake and reveals His scars. Seventh: Jesus appears to the seven who have returned to fishing. He asked the question, "Children have ye any meat?" John 21:1-22. Eighth: Matthew 28:16-- "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them" and there He commissioned them to go into all the world with the message of His salvation. Ninth: Acts 1:26 & 1 Cor 15:5-- Jesus appears to the "12", this would be after Mattias was appointed to fill Judas' place. Tenth: Jesus appears to 500 of the followers: 1Cor 15:6. Eleventh: James, His half brother, the writer of the book of James: 1 Cor 15:7 -- "After that, He was seen of James, then of all the Apostles." Twelfth: Jesus' final appearance was to all the Apostles: Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:3-12-- He blessed them and commissioned them to take the Gospel to all people, and thus the season "after" the resurrection brings great blessing to those who have not seen, yet believe! O Saints, let us Go Forth in the power of our Salvation!
Loving you, Pastor
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