Jesus appears to seven of the apostles on a Galilee shore, then visits his half-brother James, then lastly manifests himself to give the Great Commission before ascending into heaven. Ten days later, on Pentecost, the New Testament church is born!
Primary scriptures: Matthew 28:9 - 20, Mark 16:12 - 20, Luke 24:13 - 53, John 20:19 - 31, 21:1 - 25, Acts 1:1 - 2, 1Corinthians 15:4 - 7.
April 9
(Sunday, Nisan 18)
First Person to See Jesus Alive
Mary Magdalene was a woman who had seven demons cast from her early in Jesus' ministry (Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2 - 3). She was one of a very close circle of family and friends who followed his ministry until his life ended. Mary is the first human Jesus chose to reveal himself alive to, early Sunday morning, after God brought him back from the dead the previous day (Mark 16:9 - 11, John 20:11 - 18).
Now after Jesus had risen, early the first day of the weeks He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons (Mark 16:9, HBFV throughout).
Visiting Men Going to Emmaus
Jesus miraculously appears to two men while they are walking to Emmaus (Luke 24:13 - 33), a small village that was roughly seven miles (11.2 kilometers) from Jerusalem. He chides them for not believing what the prophets foretold regarding the Messiah then explains to them all the Biblical verses that pertained to him.
The two men do not realize whom they are talking with until they all sit to eat. The moment 'their eyes were opened' and they realized it was Jesus they were talking with, he vanished from their sight!
But they (the two men walking to Emmaus) constrained Him (Jesus), saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is declining." And He entered in as if to stay with them.
And it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it; and after breaking it, He gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him; and He disappeared from them (Luke 24:29 - 31).
April 9
(Sunday, Nisan 19)
Appearance to Ten Apostles
Nisan 19 on the Hebrew (Biblical) calendar begins at sunset. This is the first time Jesus shows himself alive to those who participated in his last Passover meal. His miraculous manifestation occurs, after sunset, while the disciples are behind closed doors in fear of the Jews. For reasons unknown, the disciple named Thomas was not with the group at this time (see John 20:19).
After Christ leaves, the disciples tell Thomas that the Lord appeared to them. Thomas doubts (which is where the phrase "doubting Thomas" came from) their words and states the following.
Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger into the nail marks, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe at all (John 20:25).
April 16
(Sunday, Nisan 26)
Appearing Before All Apostles
Jesus miraculously manifests himself again, after sunset, to his disciples, but this time Thomas is present (John 20:26 - 29). This is the first time all those (except Judas who killed himself) who ate Passover with him see him as a group. The Lord allows Thomas to observe the wounds he received in order to strengthen his faith.
Now after eight days, His disciples again were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus came after the doors were shut, and stood in the midst and said, "Peace be to you."
Then He said to Thomas, "Put forth your finger, and see My hands; and reach out your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing . . . Because you have seen Me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are the ones who have not seen, but have believed." (John 20:26 - 27, 29).
The Apostle Paul, in 1Corinthians 15:5, gives the impression that Jesus appeared to Peter (Cephas) separately from the other apostles.
For in the first place, I delivered to you what I also had received: that Christ died for our sins . . . And that He appeared to Cephas, and then to the twelve. Then He appeared to over five hundred brethren at one time . . . (1Corinthians 15:3, 5 - 6).
Paul is likely referring to this first appearance to all the apostles (including Thomas) that took place.
April 17 to May 17
(Nisan 27 to Iyar 26)
Appearing to Five Hundred
The apostle Paul is the only New Testament writer that mentions Jesus appeared to over five hundred brethren at one time after his resurrection (1Corinthians 15:6). He does not specify an exact date when this event occurred.
Then He appeared to over five hundred brethren at one time, of whom the greater part are alive until now, but some have fallen asleep (Corinthians 15:6).
Meeting in Galilee
After partaking of his last Passover, Jesus told his eleven disciples (Judas was betraying him at the time) as they walked toward the Garden of Gethsemane, "But after I have been raised, I will go before you into Galilee" (Matthew 26:32, see also Mark 14:28). The Bible records this meeting did occur.
Now the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them to meet Him. And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted (Matthew 28:16 - 17).
On Sea of Galilee Shore
Jesus shows himself to seven of his disciples while they are fishing on Lake Galilee (John 21:1 - 24). Those who saw him were Peter, John, James, Thomas, Nathanael, and two other unnamed disciples (likely Andrew and Philip, who lived in the general area).
During this appearance Peter miraculously catches 153 fish in his net, then has Jesus ask him three times if he loves him. Peter then learns he will die a martyrs' death. Christ also alludes that John will remain alive long enough to write about the end of the age and his Second Coming.
After these things, Jesus again revealed Himself to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias . . . And He (Jesus) said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the ship, and you shall find some." Then they cast the net, but they did not have the strength to draw it in because of the multitude of fish . . .
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." Simon Peter went up to the shore and drew the net to the land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three . . . (John 21:1, 6, 10 - 11).
Special Appearance to James
Jesus made a special appearance to James his physical half-brother (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3, Galatians 1:19). This manifestation, according to Paul, took place between Christ's appearance before 500+ people and a time he appeared to all the apostles (1Corinthians 15:5 - 7). It is unclear whether Paul is referencing Christ's first meeting in Galilee or his last manifestation when he ascended into heaven.
And that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), and then to the twelve. Then He appeared to over five hundred brethren at one time, of whom the greater part are alive until now, but some have fallen asleep. Next He appeared to James; then to all the apostles (1Corinthians 15:5 - 7).
May 18
(Thursday, Iyar 27)
Jesus Ascends to Father
Jesus meets with the disciples on the Mount of Olives (Acts 1). He gives them, just before his ascension, what is referred to as the Great Commission. He also tells them to wait ten more days, in the city of Jerusalem, so that they may receive the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18 - 20, Mark 16:15 - 18, Acts 1:4 - 5).
The disciples ask Jesus if he will now restore the kingdom to Israel. He states that it is not for them to know when this will occur and reminds them of the power they will soon receive from God. He then blesses the disciples and begins to rise above the mount as he ascends to heaven.
Two angels in white appear as the disciples gaze at the Lord lifting above the clouds. The angels tell them that Jesus will come back to the earth in the same way they saw him leave (Mark 16:19 - 20, Luke 24:50 - 53, Acts 1:6 - 11).
And after saying these things, as they were looking at Him (Jesus), He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Now while they were gazing intently up into heaven as He was going up, two men in white apparel suddenly stood by them, who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, shall come in exactly the same manner as you have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9 - 11).
May 28
Pentecost
(Sunday, Sivan 8)
Receiving the Holy Spirit
The disciples wait ten days in Jerusalem, as instructed by Christ, for the promise of God's spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the birth of the New Testament church occurs when God gives his spirit to more than 3,120 people (Acts 2)! Jesus' ministry after his resurrection sets the groundwork for the perfect beginning of the Christian church!