He has appeared to us
May 3, 2011 (Tuesday)
The gospels record eleven appearances of Jesus after his resurrection.
1. To Mary Magdalene, shortly after his resurrection (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18).
2. To the women returning from the empty tomb (Matthew 28:8-10).
3. To two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Mark 16:12,13; Luke 24:13-35).
4. To Peter (Luke 24:34;1 Corinthians 15:5).
5. To his disciples, Thomas absent (Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23).
6. To his disciples, Thomas present (John 20:24-29).
7. To his disciples at the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 28:16; John 21:1,2).
8. To 500 believers at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6).
9. To James (1 Corinthians 15:7).
10. To his disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20).
11. To his disciples at the mount of his ascension into heaven (Luke 24:50-53).
Later, when Paul was writing to the Corinthian believers about the necessity of belief in the resurrection, he added one more appearance: “and last of all, he was seen of me also, as one born out of due time.” Paul was talking about his Damascus Road experience, the turning point of his life. He could say with Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!” You and I can say that also, because we have seen the Lord work in our lives and in the lives of others. “He lives!” is our message to the world, not just on Easter morning, but every day.