Why was there a need for Jesus to show Himself to the disciples after His resurrection? Why didn't He just go straight to heaven after resurrection? Why did He even physically stay for 40 days here on earth before ascending to heaven?
Reason #1: To convince His followers that He was indeed resurrected, physically alive, and has the power over death. Source
(Acts 1:3, NIV - After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days. . . .)
That Friday afternoon, the disciples knew that the Roman authorities had executed Jesus their Master to death by crucifixion and His body was locked in a tomb and guarded by mighty soldiers. Even how much Jesus told them that He would rise up to life after being put to death, still there was doubt or even unbelief in their minds. This is evident by the fact that very early that Sunday morning (according to Luke 24:1), a group of women went to the tomb bringing spices in order to anoint the body of Jesus.
The other followers or disciples of Jesus were also at this time hiding for fear of the Jewish authorities (John 20:19). Mark 16: 1-14 also tells of the prejudice and unbelief of the disciples about the resurrection of Jesus. With this frame of mind, there was indeed a need for Jesus to convince His followers that He was resurrected, that He was truly alive, and that He has the power over death. As per record in the Bible, in 40 days Jesus made 11 appearances to His disciples 5 of which were during the first Easter Sunday. Source
*** Rejoice, oh followers of Jesus Christ! Jesus has the power over death. Although we die on this earth but there is the hope of resurrection. Praise God!
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