Today is an overview of the time after the empty tomb and Jesus’ departure into heaven.

First Jesus tells the disciples that He is leaving and foretold His death where He demonstrated that there is no greater love than His.  The garden, the betrayal, the “trial”, the denial, the flogging, the nails, the darkness, the despair, the confusion— and it was finished.  There was the Sabbath rest and then on the first day of the week while the women were going with spices to prepare His body it all changed.  When Mary Magdalene, Joanna and Mary, James’ mother return, telling the disciples what they found and what the angel said—the realization hit.  They remembered His words.  “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”   Matt 17:22 And yet, even after racing to the tomb, seeing it empty and returning home, Peter and John did not understand the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. John 20:3-9

Summary of Jesus’ appearances to the disciples before ascending into heaven (details in Appendix 6)

1.  Near the tomb to Mary Magdalene, other Mary, Salome, Johanna and other women.
a.  Fear not, go tell My brethren I will see them in Galilee.     Matt 28:10;  John 20:17
  b.  Mary clung to Him and worshipped Him.      Matt 28:9;  John 20:16

2.  The road to Emmaus   Luke 24

3.  With the Eleven       Matt 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20

4.  Disciples fishing and Jesus joining ate fish     Luke 24:42, John 21

5.  Appearance to Cephas, the 12, the 500, James, all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:4-8

6.  The charge to make disciples and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (See Day 6)

Questions:

1.  During the 50 days between the Resurrection and Pentecost, what did Jesus say about the Helper to come?        See Acts 1:2-8

2.  Why did Jesus reappear so many times?

3.  If you were one of the 12, would you be confused about the role of the Helper when Jesus is clearly sticking around?

4.  The emotions of Cleopas and friend were reflecting how humans react to significant disappointment & grief.
           Which part of their emotional journey do you identify with the most?
            a.  Talking about the sad event, and a bit sarcastic towards the ignorant
            b.  Listening well to an explanation from a knowledgeable stranger.
            c.  Seeing the broad scope of Scripture and how Jesus fulfilled and having hearts burning
            d.  Realizing Jesus is actually alive and who He said He is and running back to tell others.

5.  There seemed to be a lot of gathering together of more than the 11 disciples for prayer.

 a. How do you think the modern church would react if there was clear indication of riotous economic collapse and the gathering
of Chinese and Russian forces moving toward Israel?

 b. How would you personally respond to such cataclysmic news?

 c. Which would be more impactful— the crucifixion or the tribulation to come?