Story 41
Jesus Reappears to His Followers
Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:9-20;
Luke 24:13-49; John 20:11-21:15
The Bridge: On the way to tell the disciples what the angel had said, the women were the first to encounter the risen Savior.
The Story:
- The women left to tell the disciples what they had seen and heard. “And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me’ ” (Matthew 28:9-10).
- Later that day, the disciples were together in a room. Jesus appeared to them. He showed them the nail scars and where the spear had pierced His side. They fell down and worshipped Him (John 20:19-23).
- The disciple, Thomas, was not present when the other disciples saw Jesus, and he doubted since he had not seen for himself. Later, Jesus appeared again. This time Thomas got to see and touch Jesus (John 20:24-27).
- Thomas realized Jesus was the Son of God, the long-awaited Messiah. He fell down and said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Thomas understood that Jesus was the One whom God had sent to save those who would believe from sin and remove the curse. “Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed”” (John 20:29).
- Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled all of the prophecies of the Old Testament (Story 26).
- When God slew the animal to cover Adam and Eve, it was foretold that one day, One would die to cover our sins (Story 3).
- Jesus is our substitute sacrifice, just as the ram was a substitute for Isaac (Story 7).
- Jesus died so that we would not die spiritually, just as the Passover Lamb died so that the Destroyer would pass over the Israelites (Story 16).
Why did Jesus die and rise again?
