Vision of the Resurrection
peterbal asked this question on 8/3/2000:
Why do you think Jesus appeared after his resurrection to his disciples only? Or did he appear only to his disciples? Would you describe the appearances as 'bodily appearances' or as 'visions'
Greetings
Saint Luke has written his references of the resurrection as if he wanted to refute just this opinion that talks about visions that the disciples had after Christ�s death. You need only to read the text to convince yourself:
24: 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
37
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."40
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.44
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."45
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Saint John too describes a scene that cannot have been a vision:
20: 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
26
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."28
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"29
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The disciples had the same question as you regarding his revealing Himself only to the disciples:
John 14: 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
23
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.25
"All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
The answer of Jesus shows that he will reveal Himself only to the disciples because only the disciples love Him and it�s to them that God will send His Spirit.
If you read with attention the references of resurrection you will find that only those with faith recognize Him. So Christ sends preachers so that they may give witness of the Lord.
Vale
mscperu