Easter Sunday | Greater Love Series

Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus

1. To Mary Magdalene
   • John 20:11–18; Mark 16:9
   • Jesus appears to her at the tomb—she mistakes Him for the gardener until He says her name.
2. To the other women (Mary the mother of James, Salome, etc.)
   • Matthew 28:8–10
   • As they run from the tomb, Jesus greets them on the road.
3. To two disciples on the road to Emmaus
   • Luke 24:13–35
   • Jesus walks with them, opens the Scriptures, and is recognized in the breaking of bread.
4. To Peter (Cephas) 
   • Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5
   • Mentioned but not described in detail—Jesus has a private meeting with Peter.
5. To the disciples (except Thomas)
   • John 20:19–23; Luke 24:36–49
   • Jesus appears in a locked room, shows His wounds, breathes the Holy Spirit on them.
6. To the disciples including Thomas (8 days later)
   • John 20:24–29
   • Thomas touches Jesus’ wounds. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
7. To seven disciples while fishing on the Sea of Galilee
   • John 21:1–14
   • Jesus performs a miraculous catch and cooks breakfast on the shore.
8. To the eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee
   • Matthew 28:16–20
   • The Great Commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations…”
9. To more than 500 people at once
   • 1 Corinthians 15:6
   • Paul records a massive public appearance, likely in Galilee.
10. To James (Jesus’ brother)
    • 1 Corinthians 15:7
    • A personal appearance to James, who later becomes a key church leader.

11. To the disciples at the Ascension
    • Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:3–11
    • Jesus blesses them and ascends into heaven from the Mount of Olives.

12. To Paul (later, post-ascension)
    • Acts 9:1–6; 1 Corinthians 15:8
    • Jesus appears to Paul in a bright light on the road to Damascus.

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” ~ John 20:24-25 NIV

Reasons behind doubt:

• Intellectual Skepticism – “I can’t believe what I can’t prove” I don’t ever want to be tricked and seen as a fool.
• Church Hurt and Spiritual Trauma – This kind of hurt, wounds us deeply because it comes from a place of trust/violated it confuses people about the identity of Christ himself
• Disillusionment with Religion – Fallings/Failings of the Church and Church Leaders
• Cultural pressure to reject eternal Truth – Culture says, you should live by ‘your truth’ and will live by “my truth.” 

²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” ²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  ~ John 20:27-28 NIV

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:29 NIV

Faith isn’t blind, it’s a natural response to Revelation, which is most often seeing with the eyes of your heart– Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

Words of Knowledge

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering from tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears.

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone suffering from knee bursitis.

• We believe the Lord wants to heal someone dealing with eye pain and headaches related to ocular hypertension. We believe the Lord wants to stabilize this pressure today.