Exhuming Easter (complete - 3rd edition)

He later appeared two separate times to a smaller group of disciples (Peter,
Thomas, Nathanael, James, John and two others) who spent a great deal of time together
fishing. [John 21:2+14] And he thereafter appeared to Peter privately, and then as well as
once more to “the twelve” [1 Corinthians 15:5 … NOTE: Mattathias was present at this
sighting, and counted as the 12 th Disciple, even though he had yet to officially replace Judas at the
time – see Acts 1:12-26]
Jesus then appeared to over 500 people at one time [1 Corinthians 15:6], to James
individually [1 Corinthians 15:7a], and then to almost all the apostles one night while they
were eating together. It was at this particular repast that Jesus suddenly appeared before
them, so subtly that they thought they were shocked and thought they were seeing a
ghost. [Luke 24:36-37] Jesus then upbraided their lack of faith in his previous appearances
[Mark 16:14] and gave them his first Great Commission [Mark 16:15-16 – “Go into all the
world and proclaim the Good News to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.”] Then he verified his
presence by showing them his wounds and eating with them. [Luke 24:38-44 & John 20:19-
20] It was at this meal that Jesus ordered them not to leave Jerusalem for a time. [Acts
1:4-5] And then he departed from them, and ascended up into Heaven to sit at the right
hand of God. [Mark 16:19]
Now Thomas was not with them when Jesus appeared at that particular meal, so
when he joined them later – and the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” –
he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the
mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” And so, a week later the
disciples were again in the same house, and this time Thomas was with them. And
although the doors were shut, Jesus “descended” quietly and stood among them and said,
“Peace be with you!” And then he turned to Thomas and said, “Put your finger here and
see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” And Jesus said to him, “Have you
believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
come to believe.” [1 Corinthians 15:7b & John 20:24-29]
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