IV. The Traits of the Risen Christ. There were some respects in which Jesus after his resurrection was the same as he had been before; but there were also some essential differences.
1. He was the very same Jesus. It was not a spirit, a disembodied ghost, which appeared to the disciples. He possessed personal identity, and was the living one whom the disciples had known before. See Luke 24. 39, 40; John 20. 27.
2. He appeared only occasionally. He did not come to remain with his people, for it was better for them that he should go away (John 16. 7). He manifested himself after his resurrection often enough to strengthen faith, but not enough to lead his disciples to lean upon his presence.
3. He appeared to his disciples only (Acts 10. 40, 41). Why he did not appear to unbelievers (Luke 16. 31). His personal ministry was ended, and henceforth he was to speak to men through his messengers (2 Cor. 5. 19, 20).
4. He possessed a spiritual body. There is a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15. 40-44). Christ possessed such a body, uncontrolled by physical law, but dominated by the spirit. He came and went at will (Luke 24. 36; John 20. 19). He withheld himself from recognition or permitted it as he chose (Luke 24. 15, 16; 24. 30, 31; John 20. 14-16; 21. 4-7). With us the body limits the spirit; with him the spirit controlled the body.
5. He recognized individuals after his resurrection. The grave had not blotted out his memory of the past nor of his personal regard for people. He called his friends by name after his resurrection (Matt. 28. 10; John 20. 16; 20. 26; 21. 15). He showed the same spirit of affection, of tenderness, and of patience with the mistakes of his followers as he had shown during his earthly life. His gentleness toward a sorrowing woman (John 20. 11-15). His kindness toward a doubting disciple (John 20. 24-29). His forgiveness of a denying disciple (John 21. 15-19). Such were the traits which he bore away from earth, and such are the traits which he bears still on his throne.
Blackboard Outline
The Forty Days of Resurrection
| I. | Nec. Chr. Res. 1. Nat. Ch. 2. Ful. pro. 3. Wo. red. 4. Fai. dis. 5. Att. Chr. auth. 6. Pl. ou. res. |
| II. | Fac. Chr. Res. 1. Pro. tes. wit. 2. Eff. pow. G. 3. Fir. da. we. 4. Th. d. af. de. |
| III. | Ten. App. Je. af. Res. 1. Ma. Mag. [Sep.] 2. Oth. wom. [Sep.] 3. Tw. dis. [Emm.] 4. Pet. [Jer.] 5. Ten dis. [Jer.] 6. Elev. dis. [Jer.] 7. Sev. dis. [Sea Gal.] 8. Fiv. hun. dis. [Mt. Gal.] 9. Jas. [Jer.] 10. Asc. [Beth.] |
| IV. | Tra. Ris. Chr. 1. Ver. sa. Jes. 2. Ap. on occ. 3. To dis. on. 4. Pos. spir. bod. 5. Rec. ind. |
Questions for Review
Why was the resurrection of Jesus Christ a necessity? What proves the fact of the resurrection? How was the resurrection effected? When did it take place? How long after the death of Jesus was his resurrection? How many times did Jesus appear after his resurrection? To whom did he appear first? What were the circumstances of this appearance? What were the five appearances on the day of resurrection? Name the instances when Jesus appeared during the forty days after the resurrection day. What were the traits of the risen Christ? What was the nature of his body after his resurrection?