After the resurrection of Jesus, several events occurred. The events are crucial as evidence of Jesus’s resurrection. They are also significant in showing how different Jesus was before his crucifixion. It is crucial to understand the events to understand his interaction with disciples and other people. So, what happened to Jesus after his resurrection?
After the resurrection, the Bible indicates that Jesus received a new body, appeared to his disciples several times, and was taken up to heaven in the presence of some of his disciples. The Bible implies that Jesus could appear and disappear, which meant he had different abilities than before his crucifixion.
In this article, we are going to look at the events that took place after the resurrection of Jesus. We will understand what happened on the day of resurrection, three and 40 days after the resurrection. Additionally, we will discuss what Jesus was doing 40 days after the resurrection. Did Jesus give any instructions to his disciples? Read on to find out.
What happened to Jesus on the day of his resurrection?
His body was changed on the day of resurrection. One thing that is highly notable about Jesus after his resurrection is that his body was changed. Although Jesus’s body was still flesh and bones, it was different because he could appear and disappear. Additionally, it was unrecognizable even to those who knew him previously. In the book of John, the Bible implies that he got into the house where his disciples were, with doors still shut. Then, the same day in the 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. Jesus had not done anything like this before his death because his body was not yet changed.
Jesus’ body was made unrecognizable. For instance, at the tomb, Mary could not recognize him until he spoke: Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She told them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know it was Jesus. John 20:13-14. Again, when he appeared to disciples going to Emmaus, they did not recognize him until their eyes were opened. The bible records: So, it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained so that they did not know Him. Luke 24:15-16. The same happened when he appeared to the disciples at the shore and made breakfast. They did not recognize him until he spoke: But when the morning came, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” John 21:4-5. These instances show that the body of Jesus was changed so that even those who were previously close to him could not recognize him.
Jesus was ministered to by angels. When Jesus’s body was removed from the cross, he was placed in a tomb, and a massive stone was placed at the door of the grave. Some guards were put at the tomb to ensure that the disciples did not take his body and allege that he was resurrected. When he was resurrected, the Bible implies that angels ministered to him. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. John 20:11-12. Only after the resurrection were angels seen, supposedly after ministering to him. There is no instance where people encountered angels ministering to Jesus before his resurrection.
What happened 3 days after Jesus’ resurrection?
The Bible does not specify what happened three days after Jesus’s resurrection. However, it says what happened in the first three days after the resurrection. First, he appeared to Mary at the tomb on the first day of his resurrection, as recorded in John 20:11 and John 20:16. So Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, who could not recognize him at first.
Also, on the first day of resurrection, in the evening, Jesus appeared to his disciples where they had assembled. John 20:19. Jesus entered the house without using the doors, for the disciples had closed all the doors because they feared the Jews. Therefore, Jesus appeared to his disciples and reassured them.
Jesus commissioned his disciples and gave them the holy spirit. The Bible implies that Jesus sent his disciples to preach and gave them the holy spirit on the first day after the resurrection: John 20:21-22. Jesus sent his disciples to preach the good news and gave them the holy spirit to help them in that work.
Jesus helped his disciples catch fish and prepared them breakfast by the seashore. After Jesus was crucified, his Disciples had given up and were slowly returning to their previous profession: fishing. Jesus appeared to them John 20:21-22. Chris Singer, a theologian and writer notes that Jesus showed compassion instead of condemnation. He helped them catch fish instead of condemning them for forsaking their calling.
What happened 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection?
Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven. And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. Luke 24:50-51. Melissa Petruzzello, a Christian scholar, notes that Christians celebrated the accession of Christ on the 40th day after the resurrection. She notes that Western and Eastern Christianity concur on the 40th-day accession and have been celebrating it since the 4th century.
What was Jesus doing for 40 days after his resurrection?
The Bible indicates that Jesus did three crucial things in the 40 days he stayed on earth after his resurrection. First, he confirmed to his disciples and those close to him that he had resurrected. His numerous appearances to his disciples indicate such. For instance, when the disciples were traveling to Emmaus, he explained that he was to resurrect and then revealed himself: Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself Luke 24:25-27. Therefore, he revealed that he was resurrected.
Secondly, Jesus restored his disciples. Harold S. Martin, a Bible scholar, says that most of the disciples had doubts about Christ after his death. For instance, Peter denied Christ and went back to fishing. Christ used the 40 days to restore them. he was restored and made the church leader: Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” John 21:15. All the disciples who had followed Peter back to fishing were also restored and encouraged to continue their calling.
He also commissioned the disciple. After the resurrection, Jesus commissioned the disciple to preach the good news of his resurrection: So, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22. According to the East-West Staff, -a community of Bible scholars and ministers-Jesus commissioned his disciples to spread the gospel.
What did Jesus instruct his disciples to do on the day of his ascension?
On the day of his ascension, Jesus instructed his disciples to go to the whole world and preach the gospel. He said: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name, they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18. The Got Question Ministries refers to this as the great commission. However, as recorded in the book of Acts, he instructed them to wait for the holy spirit: And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8. The disciples were to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit to have the power to go to the entire world to carry out the great commission.
References
Why Did the Risen Jesus Cook Breakfast for the Disciples?
Commissioned Part 1: Understanding the Great Commission
Peter Was Restored into Fellowship with Christ (John 21:1-23)
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
