The resurrected Lord appeared to his disciples, said a Wenzhou megachurch pastor on Easter Sunday.
On April 12, in the Easter Sunday service, Ke Yanling, the pastor of Liushi Church, shared online the scene in which the resurrected Lord appeared to his disciples from Luke 24:36—53. Out of a lack of understanding and belief, the disciples’ hearts were open to a new understanding and became witnesses to the Lord Jesus’ resurrection.
The resurrection of his Body
Jesus appeared to his disciples, but they thought they saw a ghost. Then Jesus let them verify the unique scars of his crucifixion. They were delighted and astonished that Jesus had really risen from the dead.
Why is Jesus’ bodily resurrection so important? Because if it were not so, Jesus could not be God, nor could he have completely conquered death and be free from its bondage. What is more, if Jesus hadn’t been raised from the dead, salvation would not be complete.
The resurrection of Jesus brings the hope of bodily resurrection to those who trust in the Lord. Even though we have various weaknesses and endure much suffering in life, the resurrected body is imperishable and has eternal life.
Fulfil the prophecy
Why was the mighty Jesus crucified and unable to save himself? Jesus reminded his disciples that everything had to be fulfilled that was written about him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.
The Cross itself is full of despair and fear, is a humiliating punishment, and is the ultimate end of sinners. The Lord Jesus gave it new significance in that the cross is a sign not only of the crucifixion but of the victory of the risen Lord.
The mission of being sent
Being from happiness then to sorrow, and then being hopeful from despair, what happened next? “and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. (Luke 24:47-48）Jesus has accomplished his mission on the earth, and his disciples now have been sent to fulfil their mission.
In Acts, we see that the disciples received the Holy Spirit and appeared in Jerusalem with a new poise, speaking bravely and freely before the religious chiefs and the Roman government witnessing to the risen Lord.
Enjoying the glory
After Jesus rose from the dead, he blessed his disciples before he returned to Heaven. The resurrected Lord was taken up into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, which means he is master and rules over all.
The disciples were overjoyed, rather than being sorrowful about this separation from Jesus, because they knew far more about Jesus than they had ever known before. From then on, it became a regular part of their lives to praise and worship God in the temple.
- Translated by Sophia Chen
