The Day After Easter
Easter has come and gone. I pray it was as meaningful to you as it was for me. There’s a renewal in the air - a fresh new outlook on life which permeates our society. Of course, some will give credit to the warming temperatures, the flowers blooming, and the gardens tilled, but the Church realizes that without Easter, there would be no Christmas. All four Gospels give us just a glimpse of how the world changed the days following the Resurrection. Let’s take a glimpse at how the Bible describes these very important times.
Our overview begins in Matthew. Beginning with our resurrected Lord’s appearance to the ladies, great joy was brought to all humanity. However, the ladies’ initial reaction was not great joy, but great fear. The ladies were the last at the cross, but the first to be given the word (from Jesus’ own mouth!) of His own resurrection. Following this encounter, Jesus appeared to the disciples where their immediate reaction was to fall on their faces and worship the living Lord. From shaking in their sandals in fear, to disavowing their relationship to Him, the disciples now would see their risen Lord face to face! Matthew’s gospel also adds that the “veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” He continues to describe other shocking events which took place after Christ’s death. He writes, “the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.” Wow, talk about a life-changing event!
Mark’s account begins on the day of the Resurrection. The account begins with Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene. No details of the conversation are given, but as a result of this brief interaction, she went to tell everyone. But as Mark emphasizes, those who heard, “did not believe” (Mark 16:11). “After that,” as Mark recalls, Jesus appeared to two others, but they did not believe either. Later, He appeared to the 11 remaining disciples, and rebuked their unbelief (14) and gave them the Great Commission. As a result of Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples’ (and the church’s) outlook was transformed. Mark gives glory to Jesus.
Luke gives a chapter (24) to the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. It is inferred that on the same day of Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus meets with two disciples traveling on the road to Emmaus, Both have heard of the rumors swirling of Jesus’ resurrection. Not only that, but they are aware of the strange events happening in and around the city. After chastising them for their unbelief, Jesus lovingly came to their house, and “took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.” Their eyes were opened, and Jesus vanished before them.
John’s description begins with Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene. (Remember her? She was the lady from whom Jesus cast out “seven demons.”) Still fervently adoring her Lord, Mary was blessed by being one of the first who was given the knowledge of His resurrection first hand! After this, Jesus appeared to the disciples, and then He appeared to His disciples a second time, 8 days later. This time, “doubting” Thomas saw Him face to face. He doubted no more (see John 20:29).
Finally, our journey concludes in Acts 1. Upon promising the gift of the Holy Spirit into the lives of each believer, Jesus, again ministers those assembled on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:9-12). Jesus had ministered for 40 days on the earth, healing, loving, caring, performing miracles as a final witness to His power and authority. He was alive - for all the world to see.
Personally, I’ve always wondered, “Why isn’t there more information given concerning the 40 days following Jesus’ resurrection?” I may never receive an answer on this side of Heaven, but, hopefully, Jesus will give me a more in-depth revelation at a later time. During these 40 days, how many people accepted Jesus as their personal savior? I believe there were quite a few. But, there were also obstinate people then (just as there are now) who refused to believe. For the believers of that day, this short period probably came and went faster than any other 40 days ever. But for us, living in the 21st century, these days are ones filled with wonder and amazement. What a wonderful time! A time, just like now, when we can sit back with wonder and awe thinking of Jesus’ final days on this earth.