Witnesses of Jesus Christ's Resurrection, Teachings, and Ascension

On the third day after Jesus was crucified he resurrected from the dead appearing to his disciples and many other people over a period of 40 days. Jesus showed them that he was alive and had conquered death, and he taught them more about God's kingdom.

It was during this time that Jesus encouraged his followers to continue his mission of spreading the good news of forgiveness and salvation with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In this article are some of the significant events that teach us of Christ's resurrection including witness testimonies, what he said to his apostles, and the final teachings that Jesus gave us before his ascension.

Witnesses of Jesus' Resurrection

There were many persons mentioned in the Bible who witnessed the resurrection and teachings of Jesus after his resurrection, the most notable were:

• Mary Magdalene a close follower of Jesus and the first to discover his empty tomb. Upon learning his tomb was empty she told the disciples.
• Mary the mother of James and Salome were with Mary Magdalene when she went to the tomb, who also found that Jesus was not there.
• Jesus appeared to his disciples on multiple occasions after his resurrection and they were able to see him, talk to him, and touch him.
• According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus appeared to a group of more than 500 people at one time after his resurrection.
• Jesus' brother James was also a witness and he became a believer after seeing Jesus risen from the dead.

The following verses from the New Testament describe witness accounts of Jesus' resurrection:

He Is Risen

"He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise." (Luke 24:6-7)

Upon discovering the empty tomb of Jesus by a group of women, they encounter two angels within the tomb who declare that Jesus has risen from the dead, just as Jesus had predicted to his disciples before his death.

John 20:11-16

"But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping?'

She said to them, 'They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.' Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned and said to him in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)." (John 20:11-16)

Peter Investigates

"Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." (Luke 24:10-12)

This passage is significant because it highlights the skepticism and disbelief of some of Jesus' followers even after he had risen from the dead. It also shows the importance of Peter's faith, as he is willing to investigate and he sees that the tomb is indeed empty and this discovery leaves him wondering what has happened.

His Wounds Confirm

"When he [Jesus] had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20)

Jesus appears to his disciples and demonstrates his physical presence by showing them his wounds. The disciples' reaction would have been a mix of relief, amazement, and gratitude, as they realized that Jesus had conquered death and had come back to them.

This moment served to confirm their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, and to give them hope and courage as they embarked on the mission of spreading the good news of his resurrection to the world.

Of First Importance

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas (Paul), then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)

This significant verse is a testament of the Apostle Paul reminding the people in the city of Corinth the basic facts of the foretold message in the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament) and that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, because it shows that His death was not in vain, but that he conquered death and sin on behalf of humanity.

What Jesus Said After His Resurrection

Jesus reassures his followers that he is truly alive and present with them in bodily form. The disciples were troubled and doubtful because they had seen Jesus crucified and buried. Jesus invites them to see and touch his body, which demonstrates that he is not a ghost or a spirit, but a real physical presence.

Jesus Reassures His Disciples

"Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." (Luke 24:38-39)

This verse also serves as a reminder of the importance of the bodily resurrection of Jesus, as it represents the victory over death and sin, and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in him.

Receive The Holy Spirit

Jesus compares his own mission to that of the Father, who sent him into the world to bring salvation to humanity. 

"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21-22)

The breathing on the disciples is symbolic of the giving of the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to carry out and continue his mission.

The Holy Spirit is often associated with God's power and strength, and in this case, it represents the divine power the disciples will need to accomplish their task.

Mary Recognizes Jesus

Mary Magdalene had gone to the tomb of Jesus early in the morning, only to find that the stone had been rolled away and the body of Jesus was missing. She was distressed and weeping, and when she turned around, she saw Jesus standing there, but did not recognize him.

"Mary." When Mary Magdalene saw Jesus in the garden after the resurrection, he called her by name, and she recognized him. (John 20:16)

Jesus spoke to her, saying only her name, "Mary," and immediately she recognized him as her Lord and Teacher. The use of her name was a personal way of addressing her, and it is symbolic of the way that Jesus knows us all personally and intimately, and that we can always turn to him for guidance and comfort.

Have No Fear

Jesus instructed his disciples to go to Galilee, a place of familiar and meaningful significance to his disciples and where Jesus had spent much of his ministry.

"Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me." (Matthew 28:10)

The reference to "brothers" emphasizes the close relationship that Jesus had with his disciples. Despite his divine status as the Son of God, Jesus treated his followers as brothers and friends, sharing with them his teachings and his life.

The Blessed Ones

Jesus appeared to his disciples and showed them the wounds in his hands and side as proof that he has risen from the dead. Thomas, one of his disciples was not present at the time and did not believe the others when they told him about Jesus' appearance.

Thomas says that he will not believe unless he can see and touch Jesus' wounds himself. Later, when Jesus appears again, he invites Thomas to touch his wounds and believe.

"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

The verse suggests that faith is not dependent on physical proof. Rather, Jesus is saying that those who believe without seeing are blessed. John 20:29 is a reminder that faith is a powerful force that transcends physical evidence. It suggests that those who can believe in something despite a lack of tangible proof are truly blessed.

What Did Jesus Say Before His Ascension

In the 40 days after Jesus' resurrection it was a time of preparation and commissioning for his disciples, to be his hands and feet, and to proclaim the message of salvation to all who will hear it with the power and help of the Holy Spirit.

The following verses are the last words Jesus said to his disciples before he ascended into Heaven:

The Great Commission

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

This message is often referred to as the "Great Commission" and it is seen as a call to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ to people all over the world.

He Was Lifted Up

Jesus gives his final message as he was taken up into Heaven, as described in Acts 1:9-11:

"And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Ascension of Jesus

The Ascension of Jesus is celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday, in the Western part of the world it is celebrated on the Thursday of the sixth week of Easter, which is known as "Ascension Thursday" or "Holy Thursday".

In some countries, it is celebrated on the following Sunday, which is known as "Ascension Sunday" and in the Eastern Christian tradition, it is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter, which is known as the Feast of the Ascension.

Next read about the celebration of Easter and its many traditions.

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