SUBJECT: “WHAT HAPPENED AFTER JESUS’ RESURRECTION?”

Minister Dr. Sharon Watson
Apr 11
4 min read

“ He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Don’t you remember what He told you way back in Galilee? ” —Luke 24:6

On the first resurrection morning, the tomb was empty and the angel announced, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6) On the first resurrection morning, the tomb was empty and the angel announced, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)

What Happened After JESUS’ Resurrection?

I can see the headlines…EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT JESUS’ IS STILL ALIVE!

So, what really happened on the greatest day ever recorded in history? Have you ever thought about What Happened After JESUS’ Resurrection? For me, it is a question only reading your Bible can answer. Let’s do an abbreviated overview of what happened. As you indulge, keep in mind that I am not a Bible theologian, but I am a careful reader of GOD’S Word with a very vivid imagination.

From that very moment, JESUS’ promise was activated. He didn’t just rise from the dead and leave the grave…He began a 40-day divine tour. He appeared anonymously to some and surprised others like His disciples. JESUS’ divine tour carried power and authority. It reshaped the lives of many and set the foundation directives for Evangelistic Ministry.

Again, What Happened After JESUS’ Resurrection?

JESUS Proved He Was Truly Alive!

He appeared in tangible, physical form to show that His resurrection was real, not just arrogant fluff talk. But, His prophecy came into fruition.

~He met Mary Magdalene at the tomb and told her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father” (John 20:17)~He walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “and beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27).~Later that day, He stood among the frightened disciples, inviting them to touch His hands and feet and watch Him eat, saying, “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself” (Luke 24:39–40).

Even Paul summarized JESUS’ divine tour as the time that JESUS “showed Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days” (Acts 1:3, NKJV).

JESUS Taught About His Mission and the Gospel.

Far from just comforting the disciples, JESUS used those forty days to deepen their understanding of the Holy Scripture and the great mission and commission He was leaving them.

~On the road to Emmaus, He opened the Scriptures to them, showing how the Old Testament foretold the suffering and glory of the Messiah (Luke 24:25–27).~In Jerusalem, He told the gathered disciples, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46–47).He also commissioned them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:22–23)Truly this was foreshadowing teaching. JESUS made sure His disciples were prepared to receive the authority and empowerment of the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost.

JESUS Prepared His Followers for the Holy Spirit.

JESUS assured His disciples that though He would leave, they would not be left alone.

~He told them to stay in Jerusalem “until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), which would come at Pentecost through the Spirit.~After Blessing them from Bethany, “He was parted from them and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:51), and the disciples “worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (Luke 24:52), JESUS had equipped them to be His witnesses.

The Conclusion…JESUS’ Ascension and the Church’s Mission.

The final act of JESUS’ post‑resurrection tour was JESUS’ ascension into heaven.

Acts 1:9–11 records that “He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight,” and the angels promised, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” It was that final point, the disciples began “continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46). They boldly began to live out the resurrection life JESUS had inaugurated.

Remember:

Remember, JESUS, resurrection was not the end of the story. It was the beginning of a new eternal era in which He appeared, taught, and empowered His followers so that the message of forgiveness and new life could spread to all nations. Because the tomb was found empty, the Church came alive, and every believer shares in the mission started during the forty-day divine tour between His resurrection and His supernatural ascension.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly FATHER,

Thank You for showing the world that every prophecy Your Son made came into fruition.

Thank you for loving us enough to keep hope alive until Jesus returns for us because he is not dead. He is alive while being our LORD and savior everyday. And, we tell you thank you in His Holy and matchless name. Amen. - In Your Matchless Name, Jesus, Amen.