RESURRECTION ACTIVITIES

ORDER OF EVENTS AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

We read in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels, that our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ was alive on this earth for forty good days after His resurrection. During that time, between His resurrection and ascension into heaven, it is recorded that the Lord appeared to many different groups of people, in many places, and at various times. He appeared to His own followers on different occasions, and hundreds of people saw Him. Here are some of the appearances of the Lord that are recorded for us in the Bible in chronological order.

FIRST APPEARANCES ON THE DAY OF HIS RESURRECTION

The Resurrection Sunday Morning:

He appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb as a gardener (John 20:11-18; cf. Mark 16:9-11).
He appeared to the other two women who were with Mary Magdalene—Salome and Mary the mother of James—as they left the location of the tomb—that is, at the time they were returning from the tomb (Matthew 28:1-10).

The Resurrection Sunday Afternoon:

He appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34; see also 1 Corinthians 15:5).

The Resurrection Sunday Evening:

He appeared to two disciples (a couple, Cleophas and his wife) on the road to Emmaus as they left Jerusalem (see Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35).
He appeared to ten Apostles or disciples in Jerusalem (Thomas being absent) in the upper room and ate a meal with them (Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36-44; John 20:19-25).

A WEEK LATER—AFTER HIS RESURRECTION

On Sunday Evening:

He appeared to the eleven Apostles and many other disciples with them in the upper room in Jerusalem. This time Thomas was present with them (John 20:26-29).

Probably During the Same Week or the Next Sunday Morning:

He appeared to seven of His disciples (Peter, John, James, Thomas, Nathaniel, and probably Andrew and Philip) on the shores of the Sea of Galilee as they were fishing (Matthew 28:16-20; John 21:1-25).

THE THIRD WEEK AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND WEEK OF HIS RESURRECTION

On the Very Next Sunday:

He appeared to over 500 brethren at once (see 1 Corinthians 15:6).
He appeared to His brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7) who was not a believer prior to the resurrection (John 7:3-5) but was numbered among the believers immediately after the resurrection (Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19).
He appeared to the Apostles—all the eleven disciples—on a mountain in Galilee (see Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18).

AT THE TIME OF ASCENSION FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES

He appeared to the Apostles (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8).
His ascension to heaven (Mark 16:19-20; Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12).

POST-ASCENSION APPEARANCES

He appeared to Stephen just prior to his martyrdom—at His stoning (Acts 7:55-56).
He appeared to Saul (later named Paul) on the road to Damascus as he was about to continue his work of persecuting Christians. It was on this occasion that he was converted (see Acts 9:1-19, 26-28; 18:9-10; 22:1-16; 23:11; 26:9-18; 1 Corinthians 15:8).
He appeared to Paul in the temple when Paul was warned concerning the persecution which was to come (Acts 22:17-21; cf. 9:26-30; Galatians 1:18).
He appeared again to Paul while in prison in Caesarea (Acts 23:11).
He also appeared to the Apostle John at the beginning of the revelation given to him (Revelation 1:12-20).

Blessings!

Ike Ozuome