AFTER RESURRECTION TO ASCENSION

TEXT: ACTS 1:3-11

 

INTRODUCTION

The resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus are very significant pillars of the Christian faith. After resurrection, He would appear, disappear and re-appear for 40 days after which He ascended. For the 40 days He spoke to the disciples about the kingdom.  He ascended from the Mt. Olives, 5 kms east of Jerusalem. Before He ascended, He blessed them, showing love to them. When He returns, He will land on the same mountain, and it will split into two-Zachariah 14:4. After resurrection:-

 

APPEARANCE ON THE RESURRECTION SUNDAY (JUDEA).

1. Mary Magdalene-John 20:14-16.

• The first appearance of Jesus was to Mary Magdalene.

1. Mary, the mother of James, Salome and Joanna-Matt. 28:9.

• Jesus also appeared to these three women. This happened after He appeared to Mary Magdalene.
• After an angel told them Jesus had risen, they were on their way to tell Jesus’ disciples when they met the risen Christ.

1. Peter-Luke 24:34.

• This was a private appearance, appearing to Peter alone.

1. Two disciples on the Emmaus road-Luke 24:13-16.
2. All the disciples’ gather-John 20:19-24.

 

APPEARANCE ON LATER DAYS (JUDEA).

1. Eight days later He appeared again to the disciples-John 20:26-28

• He appeared to the disciples again and told them to touch His hands.

IN GALILEE

1. At the sea of Galilee-John 21:1, 2.

• The disciples had now left Jerusalem, Judea and returned to Galilee. Seven of them went fishing. All night they caught nothing. At daybreak Jesus stood on the shore.
• He showed them where to cast the net, they did and caught 153 fish. On coming to the shore they found Jesus had lit a charcoal fire. He had prepared breakfast for them, bread and fish and they ate.

1. On the mountain in Galilee-Matt. 28:16, 17.

• Jesus also appeared to His disciples on the mountain in Galilee, where He had told them to go.

IN JUDEA AND GALILEE

1. He appeared to James, His half-brother-1st Corinthians 15:7.
2. He appeared to 500 people in different places in Israel, all at the same time.

 

ASCENSION-ACTS 1:9

• He ascended to heaven visibly. He will return visibly.
• He ascended from the Mt. of Olives, He will step there as He returns.

 

CONCLUSION

1st Corinthians 15:12-20.

• Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection?
• If Christ has not been raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins.
• But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruit (firstborn) of those who have fallen asleep.

He now sits at the right hand of the Father, the position of power.