POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES

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Matthew 28:16-20
Lesson #74
POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES

• Memory verse: 1Corinthians 15:21
• Read Mat 28:16-20
  • The post-resurrection appearances:
  • There are 5 appearances (16 people) that saw Jesus on the day of the resurrection.
    • Mary Magdalene (Mar 16:9-11)
    • The two Mary’s returning from the tomb. (Mat 28:8-10)
    • Peter (Luk 24:34)
    • To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus. (Luk 24:13-32)
    • To the 10 disciples (excludes Thomas) (Luk 24:26-43)
  • Other appearances:
    • To the 11 disciples (including Thomas) (Joh 20:26-31)
    • To the seven disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. (Joh 21)
    • To the apostles plus over 500 believers. (Mat 28:16-20)
    • To James, Jesus’ half brother. (1Cor 15:7)
    • To a large multitude at Jesus’ ascension into heaven. (Luk 24:44-53 Act 1:3-12)
    • According to Mat 28:17, some of the disciples doubted. The word doubted means = to stand divided.
    • We have studied all the 12 disciples except Thomas and Matthew.
  • Thomas, the misunderstood disciple
    • Today he is often called doubting Thomas.
    • The meaning of his name:
      • His Hebrew name was Thomas, while the Greek equivalent was Didymus. The name means = twin. Evidently Thomas had a twin.
      • There are no records to identify exactly who was his twin.
      • Some think his twin may have been Matthew because their names often occur together. However, there is an old tradition that says his twin was a sister called Lysia.
    • His background, family, and calling:
      • Exact details are unknown although he was probably from Galilee (Act 1:11). There is a legend that says he was a fisherman, but there is no evidence.
      • We do not know how or when he first came to Jesus.
    • Thomas’ character:
      • He was slow, cautious, and often negative.
      • He was fearless in his devotion to the Lord. (Joh 11:16)
      • Jesus was determined to go to Bethany when He heard of the death of Lazarus. The other disciples tried to persuade him not to go. Thomas, spoke up for Jesus’ plan to go even though it might cost them their lives.
      • His love for Jesus did not think any sacrifice was too great.
      • He had a thirst for knowledge. (Joh 14:1-6)
      • Thomas asked Jesus the way so that he might follow Him even if the way was dangerous.
        • Thomas discovered that Jesus is the way. Without the way, there is no going forward.
        • Thomas discovered that Jesus is the truth. Without the truth, there is no knowing God.
        • Thomas discovered that Jesus is the life. Without the life, there is no living.
        • Thomas demanded facts about the Lord. (Joh 20:24-29)
      • Thomas desired to test all truth by evidence.
        • Therefore, he requested of the resurrected Jesus the permission to touch his wounds and side.
        • The other disciples did not believe in the resurrection until they had personally seen Jesus. Thomas was not present for that first experience.

Thomas knew who Jesus was. He was the only person in the New Testament to address Jesus as God. (Joh 20:28)

• • Thomas’ ministry and death:
    • There are many legends about Thomas’ ministry.
    • He is said to have performed extraordinary miracles.
    • Historical accounts say he preached the gospel in the Parthian Empire between Parthia and India.
    • Thomas hired himself as a slave to an Indian merchant to preach in India.
    • He was killed by a lance on the Indian coast near Bombay while he was kneeling in prayer.
  • Matthew, the tax collector (Publican)
    • Meaning of his name:
      • His Jewish name was Levi which relates him to the priestly tribe. The Levites were set apart for worship and service to God.
      • Matthew is a Greek name. His name was probably changed from Levi to Matthew when he became Jesus’ disciple.
    • Family background and calling
      • His parents, Alphaeus and Mary, were pious, Godly people who educated their son in the Old Testament and the traditions of the Rabbis. He knew Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages.
      • He was probably a Galilean born at or near Capernaum. His mother, Mary, was possibly related to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
      • We don’t know a lot about his conversion except that he responded to Jesus’ call as soon as he heard it. He was at his tax collecting table in Capernaum.
      • We do not learn much personal information about Matthew from his gospel.
      • However, we see his intelligence and knowledge of the Jewish traditions.
      • We also see his familiarity with money. There is more about money in the gospel of Matthew than in the other gospels.
    • Matthew’s character
      • Because Matthew chose the profession of a tax collector, he was an outcast from the synagogue and Jewish society.
      • He lived a perverse life with money his main goal.
      • He had no regard for the reputation of his Jewish parents or feelings for the plight of his own people.
        • The tax collector worked for the Roman government and was considered a traitor.
        • However, the tax collector was not paid by Rome.
        • He made his living by charging people more than the Roman tax. Many tax collectors were wealthy because they gained wealth by extortion.
        • Matthew was probably the wealthiest and most educated of the twelve disciples. Another tax collector who turned to Jesus was Zacchaeus.
    • Ministry and death
      • We know that he preached the gospel in Judea for 8 years after the crucifixion. There are some unconfirmed accounts of him preaching in Ethiopia and Arabia as well as Palmyra, a Syrian colony between Damascus and the Euphrates river.
      • Legend says he was martyred in Ethiopia, killed by a sword. He is thought to be buried in Hierapolis in Parthia.
• Review of the gospel of Matthew:
  • In our study of Matthew, we have learned much about Jesus Christ as Messiah, our King.
  • Matthew wrote the book to the Jews about Jesus, the King of kings and His kingdom.
  • We have learned the following about Jesus:
    • The King, has power to purify
    • The King, has power and authority over distance
    • The King, honors great faith!
    • The King, fulfills prophecy! (Isa 53:4)
    • The King, has power over nature.
    • The King, has power over Satan and his demons.
    • The King, has power to forgive sins!
    • The King, has power to raise the dead!
    • The King, has power to bring a new life!
    • The King, has power to lift faith over superstition.
    • The King, has power to prove He is the promised Messiah!
    • The King, has power over traditions, religious rules, and rituals.
    • The King, is Lord of the Sabbath.
    • The King, is the Son of David.
    • The King, is the all-sufficient one.
    • The King, is the great “I am”.
    • The King, is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb 12:2)
    • He is King of the Gentiles as well as King of the Jews.
    • He is the bread of life to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews.
    • The King, is totally submitted to God and His plan.
    • The King is God, who responds to an essential quality of faith when focused on Jesus Christ.
    • The King, is passionate about physical as well as spiritual blindness!
    • The King, came the first time to bring peace. At the second coming He will bring war.
    • The King, came to cleanse the temple of dead religion so that He could bring life.
    • The King, is the sacrifice lamb of God who takes away the sins of the people.
    • Hosanna, the King is the Messiah who comes to save us.
    • The King, has authority over the religious system.
    • Jesus is the King, the Messiah, who is worthy to come again through the Eastern Gate.
    • The King, has power over death.
  • Matthew’s final words in his gospel are Jesus’ admonition to us, his followers, who come after him. (Mat 28:18-20)
    • We must use the authority that Jesus gave us to live the Christian life and be a witness to others of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
    • We must teach others the word of God.
    • We must see that people obey the word and are baptized.
    • We must remember that He is always with us.

THE END

May God bless you for studying His Word!