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Jesus appeared to those closest to him a number of times after the resurrection. These appearances helped the disciples to become braver and to realise the important role they would play in spreading the message of Jesus.

he left them, he told his followers, ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time’ (Mt 28:18–20). Christians believe that God is in heaven, but also with them and in them. Each Christian has a mission – to bring God’s love, mercy and compassion to others.

A famous quote, thought to be from St Teresa of Avila, captures this idea very well: power to forgive sin and grant eternal life to everyone who trusted in him. His resurrection proved that death will be defeated.

Transformation and Presence

When we speak of the resurrection, two terms are very important: transformation and presence. When Jesus rose from the dead, he had been transformed by the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that this transformation meant that Jesus would not die again. He did not look the same as before, and some of his followers did not know it was him when he appeared to them. They recognised him through his words, ‘peace be with you’, and his actions, for example, in the breaking of bread. After the resurrection, Jesus was to be present to his followers in a new way. Jesus appeared to those closest to him a number of times. These appearances helped the disciples to become braver and to realise the important role they would play in spreading the message of Jesus. After forty days, Jesus ascended into heaven and this signified the end of his ministry on Earth. Before

‘Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which He looks Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,

Yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now but yours.’

Sources:

‘Religions in the Modern World’ by Shuna Hutchinson-Edgar

‘Inspire: Wisdom for the World’ by Michael Purcell and Ailis Travers www.biblegateway.com

Learning Outcomes Associated with this Topic:

2.4 Research and present the understanding of the Divine found in two major world religions drawing upon their origins in sacred texts and/or other sources of authority

2.5 Create a biography of a founder or early followers of a major world religion, using religious and historical sources of information.