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THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (29)

 

Jesus’ First Appearance to the Apostles

Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    After Jesus rose from the dead, He began to show Himself alive to various individuals.

1.        He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.

2.       He also appeared unto the two men on the road to Emmaus.

3.       The two men noted that Jesus had also appeared unto Simon Peter.

 

B.      The reaction of the disciples to all of this news is summed up in one word:  “unbelief.”

 

C.     At the close of our last lesson, we asked a question:  “What would it take for the apostles to believe?”  In this lesson, we get our answer.

 

D.    This is our 29th lesson in the series entitled:  “The Sayings of the Crucifixion.”  The subtitle is:  “Jesus’ First Appearance to the Apostles.”  Mark, Luke, and John tell the story.

 

I.             THE ASSEMBLY OF THE DISCIPLES (Mark 16:14; John 20:19)

 

A.    The Day (John 20:19a)

 

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week…

 

1.        This was the same day as the resurrection of the Christ.

2.       It was the same day Jesus appeared to Mary.

3.       It was the same day Jesus appeared to the two on the road to Damascus

4.       Remember, too, that it was the “third day.”

5.       Twelve plus hours had passed. 

a.       A lot had transpired. 

b.      A lot had been reported to the disciples.

c.       Yet, they were still in unbelief.

 

B.      The doors (John 20:19b)

 

…when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews…

 

1.        Most likely the doors were shut and locked.

2.       The disciples were fearful of the Jews.

3.       There were two reasons for them to fear.

a.       They were the disciples of the Christ.

b.      Now, it had been reported that they had stolen the body of Jesus.

 

C.     The dinner (Mark 16:14)

 

…as they sat at meat…

 

1.        The disciples assembled on this evening to eat their normal meal.  Passages like this intrigue me.  Are they intended to help us to understand that Bible characters were just people like each of us?

2.       In the midst of gloom and hardship, normal activities of life continue.

 

 

II.           THE APPEARANCE OF JESUS (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-37; John 20:19)

 

A.    The Display (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-37; John 20:19)

1.        The disciples were sitting at meat (Mark 16:14) and speaking to one another (Luke 24:36), and out of nowhere, “Jesus stood in the midst of them.”

2.       Both Luke and John tell us that Jesus addressed the disciples with these words:  “Peace be unto you.”  These words were not graciously accepted by the disciples.

 

B.      The Dismay (Luke 24:37)

1.        The Reaction

 

But they were terrified and affrighted…

 

a.       Terrified

1)       Strong (4422):  to scare

2)      Thayer:  to terrify

3)      Dictionary.com:  to fill with alarm, to inspire fear or dread in

b.      Affrighted

1)       Strong (1719):  to fear, be alarmed

2)      Thayer:  thrown into fear

2.       The Reasoning

 

… and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

 

a.       They did not believe they were seeing the actual body of the living Lord.

b.      They supposed, that is, thought and reasoned, that this had to be a manifestation of a spirit.

c.       NOTE:  We are amazed at the deep unbelief of the disciples.  They just could not bring themselves to actually believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.

 

III.         THE ASSURANCE BY JESUS (Luke 24:38-41; John 20:20-21)

 

A.    The Discussion (Luke 24:38)

 

And he said unto them, Why are you troubled?  And why do thoughts rise in your hearts?

 

1.        The discussion was one-sided with only Jesus talking.

2.       He could feel their feelings, and He knew their thoughts.  He questioned them about both.

a.       Why should they be troubled now that He was in their midst again.

b.      Why did they debate and doubt and suppose when they should have believed His words regarding the resurrection?

 

B.      The Data (Luke 24:39; John 20:20)

 

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

 

1.        The fact that Jesus had a body was proof enough that He was not a spirit.  As Jesus said:  “…for a spirit hat not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

2.       The scars that were found in those body parts were also positive proof that He was the Christ.  NOTE:  John’s record indicates that He showed them His side also.

3.       It is interesting that Jesus invites the disciples to handle, that is, touch him.

a.       Remember, He had forbidden Mary Magdalene to touch Him.  We noted the reason.  It was not that Jesus had his glorified body at that time.  It was because time was of the essence for her to return to the disciples to tell them of His resurrection.

b.      This session had a big impact upon John (See I John 1:1).

 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life.

 

IV.        THE APPEAL (Luke 24:41-43; John 20:21)

 

A.    The Disbelief (Luke 24:41a)

 

And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered…

 

1.        At this moment, there was still doubt in their hearts as to whether this was really Jesus.

2.       They were conflicted.  They experienced joy, but also wondered.

3.       Their unbelief is so strong. 

a.       They have seen the Lord.

b.      He has spoken with them.

c.       They have touched his hands, feet, and side.

d.      “…they yet believed not…”

 

B.      The Desire (Luke 24:41b-42)

 

…he said unto them , Have ye here any meat?  And they gave him a piece of broiled fish, and of a honeycomb.  And he took it, and did eat before them.

 

1.        This is further proof that Jesus is not some vision that they are seeing.

2.       He is able to eat with them as He had done prior to His death.

 

V.          THE ADMONITION (Mark 16:14)

 

…and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

 

A.    The conversation turns to a very serious note.

 

B.      Jesus upbraided them because of their unbelief.

1.        First, it is worth noting that Jesus knew about their refusal to believe the witnesses.

2.       Now, He upbraids them.

a.       Strong (3679):  to rail at, chide           

b.      Thayer:  to reproach revile

3.       LESSON:  Jesus loved His disciples, but this did not cause Him to dismiss their mistakes, shortcomings, and sins. 

a.       These men should have believed when Mary Magdalene reported the resurrection.  They certainly should have believed when the two men reported the news to them.

b.      Two verses:

1)       Proverbs 27:5

 

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

 

2)      Ecclesiastes 7:5

 

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

 

C.     It was imperative for these men to have a firm, unmoveable faith in the Lord’s resurrection.  Why this was needed is seen in the next section of the lesson.

 

 

VI.        THE ASSIGNMENT (John 20:21-23)

 

A.    The Direction (John 20:21)

 

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:  as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

 

1.        These men are about to be sent on the greatest mission that has ever been authorized.

2.       They were going to be commissioned to take the gospel to all the world. 

3.       A major part of their message involved the resurrected Christ.

4.       If they were not fully convinced about the truthfulness of their message, they would not be successful.

 

B.      The Dowry (John 20:22)

 

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

 

1.        We have entitled this point “The Dowry” because a dowry is a promise of something to come.

2.       Most believe that Jesus is prophetically promising the Holy Spirit to His chosen apostles on this occasion.

a.       If they did receive the Holy Spirit on this occasion, there is no indication of it.

b.      When Jesus meets with His disciples for the last time on the Mount of Olives, He tells them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Spirit (Acts 1:4).

c.       The Holy Spirit did not come upon the apostles until the day of Pentecost according to the inspired Luke (Acts 2:1-4).

3.       He breathed on them because the Greek word for “Spirit” can also be translated breath.

4.       He spoke in the present tense indicating the surety of the promise coming to pass.

 

C.     The Declaration (John 20:23)

 

Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and who soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

 

1.        The apostles were the chosen ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

2.       Their authority, however, was delegated authority.

3.       Yes, they could remit and retain sins, but this was predicated on the will of God.

a.       Those who obeyed the gospel would have their sins forgiven.

b.      Those who refused to obey the gospel would retain their sins.

4.       This would begin on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38).

 

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We had asked the question:  “What would it take for the apostle to truly believe that Jesus as raised from the dead?”

 

B.      It took more than might be imagined.

1.        It took an appearance of Jesus in their presence.

2.       It took the evidence of his hands, feet, and side.

3.       It took a stern rebuke from the Lord Himself.

 

C.     This will not be the last time Jesus appears to these men.  John’s gospel is going to reveal two more appearances of Jesus before He meets with the apostles on Mt. Olivet before His ascension.