The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most significant events in the Christian faith. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples and others before ascending into heaven. In John’s Gospel, we see a detailed account of what Jesus did after his resurrection.
The Empty Tomb
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus had been laid after his crucifixion. To her surprise, she found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance and that the tomb was empty. She ran to tell Peter and John, who also went to see for themselves.
Appearance to Mary Magdalene
After Peter and John left the tomb, Mary remained behind weeping. As she looked into the tomb, she saw two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been laid.
When they asked her why she was crying, she replied that someone had taken away her Lord’s body. At this point, Jesus appeared to her but she did not recognize him at first.
“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
Thinking he was a gardener, Mary asked if he knew where Jesus’ body had been taken. It was only when he called her by name that she recognized him as her Lord.
Appearance to Disciples
Later that same day, while his disciples were gathered together behind locked doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus appeared in their midst saying “Peace be with you.” He showed them his hands and side as proof that he was indeed their risen Lord.
“Peace be with you.”
After showing himself to them, he breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit.” He then commissioned them saying “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
Appearance to Thomas
One of the disciples, Thomas, was not present when Jesus appeared to them. When they told him that they had seen the Lord, he refused to believe unless he saw Jesus for himself.
A week later, Jesus appeared to them again and this time Thomas was with them. He showed Thomas his hands and side and said “Do not be unbelieving but believe.”
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Breakfast on the Beach
After his appearance to the disciples, Jesus showed himself again to them at the Sea of Tiberias. They were fishing but had caught nothing.
Jesus called out to them from the shore and told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They caught so many fish that they could not haul in the net.
When they came ashore, Jesus had prepared breakfast for them. He ate with them and then asked Peter three times if he loved him. Each time Peter replied in the affirmative, Jesus told him to feed his sheep.
“Feed my sheep.”
Ascension into Heaven
After spending forty days with his disciples, teaching and preparing them for what was to come, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany where he blessed them and then ascended into heaven.
“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”
In conclusion, John’s Gospel gives us a detailed account of what Jesus did after his resurrection. He appeared multiple times to his disciples and others before ascending into heaven. Through these appearances, he provided proof of his resurrection and gave instructions for what was to come in their ministry.