Taken from a Red Rock News Article
- Rev. Dona Johnson |April 27, 2025
Jesus’ resurrection appearances turn disciple’s skepticism into joyful determination. The entire Christian faith rests on this one single truth: Jesus Christ died on a cross and was raised on the third day fully resurrected—body, mind and Spirit. The Christian movement could not have come into being without the disciples’ belief in the resurrection. The disciples knew there was something extraordinarily special about Jesus. Afterall, they had witnessed Jesus’ miraculous healings, his fearless attack on corrupt and fraudulent behavior inside the religious establishment, and the depth and breathe of his spiritual power to bring the dead back to life. But with Jesus’ death, they still wondered if they had been mistaken. They had doubts. They had watched Jesus suffer one of the most excruciating deaths any human being could experience. All they knew was that Jesus was dead. And with his death, the death of his mission. To go on believing in his mission, the dream of a new kingdom of love and mercy—had all but died.
Like many of us when we go through a dark time, the disciples were deeply discouraged, perplexed and questioning their faith. In fact, when Jesus’ resurrection first reached their ears, they doubted and were skeptical. Who would not be doubting that type of news? What would any of us say if someone came up to us three days after a loved one’s funeral to say they’d run into the once-dead person at the supermarket. Not one of us would say, “Oh that’s fantastic! Thanks for telling me!” No, we’d say “Right! How dare you be so disrespectful!”
But Jesus in full resurrection power appears to his beloved disciples. Immediately upon seeing their risen Lord, their skepticism instantly changed into a confident and courageous faith. They felt great joy and a determination to preach the good news to the ends of the earth. And that is the part that is hard to refute. We have this turnabout, this transformation of a discouraged and bewildered following who now see their once dead Lord alive. Somehow you have to explain this explosion of scared followers who run away fearing for their lives but then with great exhilaration want to worship him, continue to live for him and pray to him. Oh, there had been other messianic figures that had risen in the past and claimed to be somebody. They were suppressed and killed by the Romans. No resurrection nor movement arose around these dead messiahs. Jesus’ resurrection caused the disciples’ transformation, and that inner spiritual shift caused them to take the Good News to the ends of the earth, to risk being tortured and killed for the sake of what they had witnessed—the mystery and miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. Truth when discovered is often unstoppable.
What god who suffers death, comes back to eternal life and then with great devotion returns to his followers, a friend to sinners and offers them forgiveness for their doubts, personal intimacy and companionship?
In the 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared 12 times to his disciples and this includes appearing to a group of 500. He then ascended to his Father. All of these eyewitness accounts are recorded in the four gospels and throughout the New Testament (Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8, 9-14; Lk 24:1-44; Jn 20:1-29. . .). Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only reason the Christian church exists today. It’s the only reason the church gathers each Sunday—to celebrate and proclaim the death, resurrection and eternal love of Jesus Christ!
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn 20:29).
- Rev. Dona Johnson |April 27, 2025