Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared in His earthly body to His disciples, alive. The gospels of John and Luke tell the stories. Mary Magdalene thought He was the gardener until he uttered her name. Thomas couldn’t believe until Jesus encouraged him to reach and touch His wounds. The two walking on the Emmaus Road didn’t recognize Him until their eyes were opened as He broke bread with them. Jesus showed up, alive, let them touch Him, and ate with them. He was not a ghost. These witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus tell of His power over death, His continued presence among the living, and His power toward those who believe.
His Power Over Death
The disciples witnessed His resurrection. The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as the first fruits of those who had fallen asleep. He writes of Adam by whom death came, and of Christ Jesus, through whom came the resurrection of the dead. Now, we bear the dust of the first man; in Christ, the Second Man, the heavenly. “Death is swallowed up in victory.” We need no longer fear death.
His Continued Presence
Not a moment goes by in the life of a believer without His continued presence. The apostle John records Jesus telling the disciples He had to go prepare a place for them, and would return, but, in the meantime, His Spirit would come as a comforter, teacher, and guide. Matthew writes when Jesus ascended into heaven, He said, “I am with you always.”
The Power to Live for Him
The same Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead is alive in the believer. Paul writes to the Ephesians and to us, “That you may know … what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.” These witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus tell of His power over death, His continued presence among the living, and His power toward those who believe.