It's all about Jesus: The Risen Savior revealed (Pt.1)

(Part 1)

“After his suffering, he (Jesus) showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”-Acts 1:3

Did you ever wonder why it is that Jesus stuck around after His resurrection? He could have come out of the tomb, went straight to the Father, and took His rightful place at the right hand of God Almighty. Instead scripture tells us that Jesus stuck around for 40 days revealing Himself, on at least 11 occasions, to over 500 different people.

One reason for his post-resurrection appearances was to restore His disciples’ hope and faith. The crucifixion of Jesus dealt a tremendous blow to the disciples’ faith. In a matter of a few hours, every ounce of hope was seemingly drained out of them. Where faith once reigned, fear had now set in as the disciples hid themselves away fearing the Jews would find them:

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”-John 20:19

There was no way He could leave them in that condition. Jesus had to strengthen His disciples for the work that was still at hand. There were those like Peter, who had rejected Christ, that needed restoration and those like Thomas that had doubts that needed to be put to rest.

The gospel message and the work of Christ would have died with them in that room; if Jesus had not revealed Himself to them. It is evident, however, from the scriptural accounts that their hope was restored and their faith revived after Jesus revealed that He had been raised from the dead:

“When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”-John 20:20.

Some translations declare that they were overjoyed when they saw the Lord! At that moment, in their walk with Jesus, no other title held as much meaning. While He was with them, they had called Him Lord, Rabbi, King, Healer, Prince of Peace, and Teacher; but now they would know Him as the Risen Savior!

These men would go on to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel, strengthened by the knowledge that Jesus had overcome death, hell, and the grave.

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church