In the Book of Acts, Chapter 1, verse 3, we read: “After his suffering, he (Jesus) showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Many people who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ (as well as some who are) are unaware of this fact-- not only did Jesus appear risen from the dead on Easter Sunday, but he continued making resurrection appearances for a period of forty days after his resurrection. This means that, since we celebrated Easter this year on April 8, perhaps we should be talking about and celebrating subsequent resurrection appearance of our Lord until at least mid May.

In reading the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the Acts of the Apostles, we see in these five books of the New Testament that the risen Jesus probably appeared on at least ten different occasions. In 1 Corinthians 15, probably written within twenty-five years of Jesus’ resurrection, the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus appeared to over five-hundred people at one time, and that many of those people were still alive at the time he wrote. (I Corinthians 15:6)

One of the interesting details about many of Jesus’ resurrection appearances is that it is often mentioned that he ate with the disciples and other followers to whom he appeared.

An example of the risen Jesus eating with his followers is found at Luke 24: 36-43: “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”

Also in Acts 1: 4 and 5 we read: “On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ "

This account interests me not only because it mentions Jesus eating with his disciples, but also because he promises that he will send the Holy Spirit.

In John 14:26 Jesus had already told his disciples, even before his death and resurrection, that the Holy Spirit (also called the Spirit of Jesus, see Acts 16:7 and Philippians 1:19 ) would be sent and that this Spirit would remind them of everything Jesus had said.

So in a real way, the sending of the Holy Spirit (or Spirit of Jesus) was an additional confirmation of the resurrection of Jesus, and his victory over death, in addition to all his resurrection appearances. Today believers do not have encounters with the risen Jesus in physical, bodily form, but we do have the opportunity to receive and be filled with His Spirit. More about that next time.

Winfield Casey Jones is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Pearland (www.pearland.pres.org) and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "> This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .