Category Archives: Resurrection

Resurrection

Resurrection Encounters 16: Paul

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Our final ‘Resurrection Encounter’ looks at the Apostle Paul, who encountered the risen Jesus whilst engaged in persecution of the early Church. Paul’s account is unique in this series because it takes place long after the ascension of Christ into heaven.

Accounts of the dramatic conversion of Paul (formerly known as Saul) appear in Acts 9, 22 and 26. Paul also refers to the encounter in Galatians 1. We’re looking at the account as given in Acts 22. It’s a full account, delivered by Paul himself, when confronted by an angry crowd whilst under arrest in Jerusalem.

Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’
8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.
12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.
14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

Acts 22:2-14

Resurrection encounter
Horsham: 30th July 2026

Introduction
This story summarises one of the most extraordinary and important moments of Christian history. It tells of the utter transformation of Saul, from a dangerous and deadly threat to every member of the embryo Church, into Paul, the greatest advocate and missionary for Christ.

The Story
There was a young man called Saul. He was a Jew. He was a Pharisee. He was trained at the feet of one of the most famous Jewish teachers of Christ’s generation – Gamaliel. Born in the coastal city of Tarsus, Saul was also a Roman citizen.

Such was the integrity and passion of this young Pharisee, that Saul devoted himself to the utter destruction of the early Church.  Saul, we read, was there, encouraging the hostile Jewish crowd, when Stephen, a young follower of Jesus, was martyred (Acts 7:54-60).

We next find Saul on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus, armed with letters of authority from the High Priest, breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. (Acts 9:1) His intention is to track down followers of Jesus, arrest them, and transport them back to Jerusalem for punishment. He was not travelling alone.

What follows is one of the most extraordinary encounter with the risen Jesus. The temple guards, travelling with Saul, see the light but do not understand the sounds which he hears as a voice. Saul is rendered blind and helpless. He suffers the utter humiliation that he, a Pharisee, is led by the hand into the city by the unclean guards.

After arriving in the city, we see Ananaias, one of the greatest unsung heroes of Scripture, going to meet him, lay hands on him, and encourage him to take the first steps in his walk with Jesus.

As part of his transformation, the Pharisee Saul, takes the Roman name Paul.

End Piece
“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 

Paul’s account is important for several reasons. Firstly, it involves a dramatic and powerful first hand account of an appearance of the risen Jesus.

Secondly, the post-ascension timing of this encounter creates a bridge from the resurrection period to later generations, including, potentially, our own.  Throughout the generations, individuals have experienced life changing experiences with the risen Christ. Whilst few of us experience the drama of Paul’s conversion, every encounter with Jesus has been and will always be powerful. It will be life changing. Paul, faced by a hostile crowd, doesn’t hesitate to share his own experiences and neither should we.

Thirdly, this encounter demonstrates the total change in the life of a thinking, educated and experienced man of faith through an encounter with Jesus. Few hearts have ever been more hardened against the Gospel that Saul’s. Yet in an instant, His heart and his mind are utterly transformed.

‘ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’

Romans 12:1-2

Richard Jackson: Horsham, West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 15: Joseph of Arimathea

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This is our 15th post looking at the resurrection encounters with Jesus. This encounter is noted because it is cited as the 12th Apparition in the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, and is commonly acknowledged in both Eastern Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The only information offered by Ignatius is ‘[Jesus] appeared to Joseph of Arimathea, as is piously meditated and is read in the Lives of the Saints’ (Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola, p71: E-Saint Library Edition, 2010)

Resurrection encounter

Horsham: 24th July 2026

Joseph of Arimathea: Scripture
The only sources for the actions of Joseph of Arimathea are found in the Gospels. He was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who may, at some level, have been supportive of Jesus (Mark 15:43). It was Joseph who, after the death of Jesus, took the  step of calling on Pilate to ask for the release of the body of Christ (John 19:38). He was a rich man, and it was Joseph who provided the tomb in which the body of Christ was laid (Matthew 27:57-60). Along with Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin who was known to Jesus, Joseph prepared the body of Jesus for burial (John 19: 38-40)

Making an approach to Pilate in these circumstances was not without risk, but Joseph’s actions are also notable because by treating Jesus with respect, he risked angering the Jewish leaders.

Joseph of Arimathea: Legends
From as early as the second century, additional information relating to Joseph starts to appear in the writings of the early Church fathers. By the medieval period, various documents were in wide circulation which added detail to Joseph’s story without, as far as we can establish today, any foundation in fact. The breadth of detail given in these documents is considerable and generally without any foundation in Scripture or other historical sources. My favourite is, of course, the links of Joseph to Britain, through the legend of the Holy Grail.

One of the key medieval documents is the Gospel of Nicodemus, which outlines in detail the arrest of Joseph by the Jewish leaders. During his detention, the Gospel gives an account of Joseph’s resurrection encounter with Jesus.

Gospel of Nicodemus XV:6 
6 And Joseph said: On the preparation day about the tenth hour ye did shut me up, and I continued there the whole sabbath. And at midnight as I stood and prayed the house wherein ye shut me up was taken up by the four corners, and I saw as it were a flashing of light in mine eyes, and being filled with fear I fell to the earth. And one took me by the hand and removed me from the place whereon I had fallen; and moisture of water was shed on me from my head unto my feet, and an odour of ointment came about my nostrils. And he wiped my face and kissed me and said unto me: Fear not, Joseph: open thine eyes and see who it is that speaketh with thee. And I looked up and saw Jesus and I trembled, and supposed that it was a spirit: and I said the commandments: and he said them with me. And [as] ye are not ignorant that a spirit, if it meet any man and hear the commandments, straightway fleeth. And when I perceived that he said them with me, I said unto him: Rabbi Elias? And he said unto me: I am not Elias. And I said unto him: Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me: I am Jesus, whose body thou didst beg of Pilate, and didst clothe me in clean linen and cover my face with a napkin, and lay me in thy new cave and roll a great stone upon the door of the cave. And I said to him that spake with me: Show me the place where I laid thee. And he brought me and showed me the place where I laid him, and the linen cloth lay therein, and the napkin that was upon his face. And I knew that it was Jesus. And he took me by the hand and set me in the midst of mine house, the doors being shut, and laid me upon my bed and said unto me: Peace be unto thee. And he kissed me and said unto me: Until forty days be ended go not out of thine house: for behold I go unto my brethren into Galilee.

End Piece
Joseph of Arimathea is an incredibly important character in the story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The fact that he has been regarded as a Saint since the earliest times of the Church is hardly surprising. He holds a very special place at the heart of the Gospel.

We understand that the duration of the resurrection period was forty days. We have mentioned elsewhere, that very few resurrection encounters are actually recorded in Scripture. Some of these, for example the appearance to James, the Brother of Christ, have only passing references. We have to acknowledge that there might well have been other appearances which, for whatever reason, were not recorded in the Gospels, but having said that, if other appearances took place, their absence from recorded Scripture was God’s will.

There is a reason why the Gospel of Nicodemus, also sometimes referred to as the Acts of Pilate, was not included in the Canon of scripture. The earliest fragments of this work date from the 4th Century.

We should be particularly skeptical of, and we should not be distracted by, accounts which appear many generations later, without any basis in Scripture.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

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Resurrection 14: James, Brother of Christ

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This post from our Resurrection series deals with James, the Brother of Jesus, sometimes called James the Just, which differentiates him from the Apostle James. The Gospels offer us no first hand witness testimony of the appearance of the risen Jesus to his brother, and once again, in part at least, we are reliant on the writings of Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians.

Resurrection encounter

Horsham: 23rd July 2026

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

James: Opposed to Ministry of Jesus
In Matthew 13, we read that Jesus returned to the village of Nazareth where he had grown up. People in the village knew him. They were offended by the teaching of the man they knew as a carpenter (Matthew 13:53-57). His brothers are named here (and in Mark 6:3) as James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. Both gospels tell us that Jesus also had sisters. We know that there was a moment when the family, presumably including James, tried to take Jesus in hand. Such was the intensity of his teaching and the response of the crowds that they thought Jesus had lost his mind (Mark 3:20-21)

James, along with his brothers, appear to have been seriously unenthusiastic if not firmly opposed to the ministry of Jesus.

James: Leader of the Church in Jerusalem
We hear little more of James, Brother of Jesus, in the Gospels, but when he does appear, his character is transformed. His reappearance is in Acts 12, when after his escape from prison, Peter asks that a message should be sent urgently to him. This is the first indication that James has become a senior member of the Church in Jerusalem. We see him again in Acts 15, and then, some years later, the Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and met with Peter and James (Acts 21:17-19  and Galatians 1:19). Some early Christian documents suggest that James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Whilst subject of uncertainty, it is possible that this is the James who authored the book of James.

The 4th Century author Eusebius reports that James died as a martyr around 62AD, but the nature of his death is not known.

End Piece
It’s easy to see why James and his brothers were troubled by the ministry of Jesus. If they publicly supported him, they risked exclusion of the entire family from the synagogue, and in a village the size of Nazareth, this would mean extreme social isolation. We can understand, then, why they would have tried to suppress Christ’s activities at an early stage.

The James of whom we read in Acts is transformed, to the extent that he has become not only a follower of Jesus, but a senior leader of the Church.

We will never be able to be certain how this transformation came about. However, if we were looking for a reason, might it not be that, as reported by Paul, James, the brother of Jesus, experienced the resurrected Christ.

Richard Jackson: Horsham, West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 13: The 500 witnesses

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In his first letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul makes a reference to a number of resurrection appearances which are familiar to us from the Gospels. He refers to Christ’s appearance to Peter (Cephas), and his appearance to the remaining disciples.  But he then rather enigmatically mentions appearance to ‘more than 500 brothers and sisters at the same time.’

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Horsham: 2nd July 2026Resurrection encounter

 

I get the feeling that the story of the 500 was common knowledge amongst Paul’s audience at Corinth.  Many of the people who witnessed this appearance were still alive. Some of the people in the Church at Corinth knew some of them. Paul didn’t think further explanation was required. To us, the number of witnesses should make this an incredibly important incident. Yet we know nothing more about it. It is not mentioned in any of the Gospels.

Positive View
We might take a positive view of this claim, seeing this as offering a tantalising insight into the fact that there were some, perhaps many, resurrection experiences which are not recorded in the Gospels. John states explicitly that many incidents of the life and ministry of Jesus are not recorded in his Gospel (John 21:25), and this almost certainly applies to the resurrection period too.  We know that in his later ministry, Jesus had many followers in addition to the twelve, and we can assume that his very public death and rumoured resurrection may have attracted many more followers, which makes it feasible that 500 followers existed at the time of Christ’s resurrection.

Alternative View
On the other hand, the lack of corroboration means that there’s considerable skepticism about Paul’s claim. We might feel it is a problem that this extraordinary event is not mentioned in any of the Gospels, and we might question the circumstances in which 500 followers of Jesus might come together and be enabled to witness the risen Christ. We might see it as an unsubstantiated ‘legend’ – just a story – which the followers of Jesus, along with Paul, had heard and believed.

It’s also sometimes suggested that the phrase  which we translate as ‘more than five hundred’ (πεντακοσίοις (pentakosiois)) may have been a colloquial expression which, rather than indicating an exact number, simply indicates that a large number of people were present, in the same way in which I might say in an exaggerated way ‘hundreds of people turned up to the meeting’ , to indicate that there were lots of people there. Even so, it would be so good to know more.

Apologetic Response
Each Gospel writer had a specific audience and purpose in mind, and so they included only records of incidents which would most appeal to their target group or support their intentions. It’s also possible that the appearance to the 500 was widely known. Either way, it’s possible that they simply felt that it didn’t need to be mentioned.

Obviously we can’t prove that this incident took place, but we might do well to note that in his earthly ministry, Jesus met in rural areas with 5000 people (Mark 6:30-44), and then separately with 4000 (Mark 8:1-13). In that context, a group of about 500 people on a hillside doesn’t sound so unbelievable.

in Matthew 28, the resurrected Jesus calls his disciples together on a hillside. This is shortly before his ascension, and some writers suggest that this might be the moment when the wider group of followers came together (eg Wiersbe (2010), Be Wise, 2nd Edition, p164 (Kingsway)). A meeting of a large crowd on a hillside is less likely to cause problems and attract adverse attention of the authorities than would meeting in the city.

End Piece
I’m really intrigued by Paul’s comment about the 500. In the 1st Century culture, ‘proof’ was substantially influenced by personal testimony. The indication here is that Paul was satisfied by the credible reports of a large number of people who claimed that they had been present in this group when Christ appeared.

I’d love to think that there were lots of appearances of the risen Jesus that we don’t know about, and I’m in no doubt that Paul, a man of integrity, was confident of this one.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

 

Resurrection

Resurrection 12: Ascension

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The story of the Ascension comes in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. It appears to follow, almost immediately, the story of the Great Commission  (Matthew 28:18-20). For me, these two extraordinary events are inextricably linked.

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:4-11

Horsham: 1st July 2026
Resurrection encounter

Matthew 28:20 tell us that Jesus had called the Apostles to meet him on the mountainside. When they were all together, Jesus gave them the direction to go into the world, make disciples and establish his Church.

It is almost certain that it was following this conversation that the events of Acts 1 take place. In the Greek, Acts 1:4 described the Apostles ‘gathered together’ with Jesus (συναλιζόμενος). The word used here may imply that they were sharing a meal.

In giving the Great Commission, Jesus told the Apostles that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). In the ascension, that power and authority is demonstrated and affirmed, as the Apostles witness resurrected Jesus is physically lifted and taken up into heaven. The resurrection demonstrates the power of God and the uniqueness of Christ. For every follower of Jesus the Ascension demonstrates the power and authority of the risen Jesus, and changes our relationship with him.

Ascension

Stay in Jerusalem
The Disciples are directed to remain in Jerusalem. This is a command from Jesus, the one who has supreme authority. Even after his ascension, Jesus has a plan for his followers. He announces and directs his plan, and this plan has a purpose.

You will receive power
The first stage of the plan is that the Disciples are to remain in Jerusalem. The second is that they will receive power. They have a divine appointment with the Holy Spirit which will empower, embolden and encourage them. It is through the giving of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus at Pentecost that the Church is established.

You will be my witnesses
So they are to remain in Jerusalem until they receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Having received the Spirit, they have work to do. They are to be his witnesses in Jerusalem. But they are also to be his witnesses in Judea, the Jewish homelands which surround Jerusalem. They are also to travel beyond Israel, into Samaria. Samaria, a country which is deeply problematic for devout Jews.  Yet the dominion of the One who has all power and authority extends beyond the Jewish nation, even beyond Samaria, into the whole world.

This is not the end..
We can understand why the eleven Apostles are staring intently into the sky long after Jesus had disappeared from their sight. It is a moment of profound finality. Jesus, Immanuel, is taken back into heaven. Yet this end is only the conclusion of a chapter, it is not the end of  the book. In case they had not already got the point, their reverie is broken by two angels who tell them that Christ will return. It is not for them, or for you, to know when. But there is more to come. Christ has ascended into heaven, but this is not the end.

Once more the Disciples have witnessed the extraordinary power of Jesus. Once more their minds are blown.

Ascension

End Piece

The Ascension is a profound and extraordinary moment, a visible demonstration of the power of God. But it is absolutely not the end of the story. Christ will come again, but as he told them just before he ascended, in the meantime there is work to be done.

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

The work continues. Even today there is work to be done.

  • in the area where you and I live and work – our Jerusalem.
  • in our area, region and nation – our Judea
  • in areas of the world which we would rather not visit – our Samaria.
  • Even to the ends of the earth.

Be in no doubt:

Christ has died
Christ has risen
Christ will come again.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 11: Great Commission

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The Great Commission refers to the directions given by Jesus to his disciples shortly before his ascension into heaven. These familiar words are recorded at the end of Matthew’s gospel. The passage contains an extraordinary claim, a command, and a word of encouragement.

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20

Pocklington, Yorkshire: 15th June 2026
Resurrection encounter

We make a huge mistake if we look at the Great Commission in isolation. God’s purpose had always been that all nations should be drawn to him. God’s promise to Abraham was that his offspring would bring blessing to all nations (Genesis 22:17-18).

The Eleven

The original twelve apostles have been reduced to eleven by the betrayal and later the death of Judas Iscariot. According to Matthew, the eleven had been directed to meet the risen Jesus on the hillside. This is a significant difference. This encounter is unique in that every other reported appearance seems to have taken the witnesses by surprise, whilst this one is by a very specific divine appointment. Why was this one so different? Perhaps because the giving of the Great Commission immediately preceded the extraordinary demonstration of Christ’s lordship, his ascension to heaven. It was critical for the future of the Church that all of the disciples should witness the Ascension, and that they all, as one, received the commission. The fruit of this commission was to be the establishment of the Church. 

The Claim

The claim made by the risen Christ is extraordinary. ‘“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” The enormity of this claim is profound. No living person could make it with integrity.  It is a statement which takes the universal nature of Messiahship described in the book of Daniel and applies it to the risen Jesus. 

13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,[a] coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:14

It is authority which can only be claimed by the Messiah. His power was evident in his ministry, and here, he affirms to the diciples that it coonntiues even after his death. and by him, only in his resurrection. God’s plan for the world is, and always has been, global.

The Command

‘Therefore.’ It is the authority which has been given to Jesus which gives the weight to the command. ‘Therefore go..’ The word ‘go’ is an imperative. There was no choice. It was a direction. Then as now, disciples are not called to stand still. There is work to be done, and the disciples are to go and do it. The task is clear. ‘Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’   Make disciples. Disciples are followers – people who commit to follow. Baptize them.  Teach them to obey everything I taught you. 

The Encouragement

The Apostles had been living on a rollercoaster. They can have had no idea what lay in front of them. I wonder how many times they later paused and reflected and held on to his words of reassurance. ‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

End Piece

Jesus had summonsed his remaining Apostles to meet him on the hillside for a reason. This was a critical moment. We so easily pass by verse 17,  which tells us that amongst the disciples, even up to this point, some doubted him. It was critical for the establishment and development of the Church that those doubts were dispelled. They were now to be witnesses to the closing chapter of the resurrection period of 40 days – the Ascension of our Lord to heaven. As, in that moment, those last doubts were dispelled, it was essential that the disciples all understood the commission which was to be their responsibility. The commission was to establish the Church, not just in Jerusalem, but throughout the world.

So, the commission was given specifically to the Eleven. What, then, as disciples ourselves, as followers of Jesus two millennia later, has this to do with us? 

I started this post by saying that we make a huge mistake if we try to see the Great Commission in isolation. It is a critical theme which permeates Scripture. We make an even greater mistake if, either because of our desire to be ‘progressive’, our preference for social action, or sheer idleness, we act as if the Great Commission does not apply to us. 

Ok, we are not all evangelists. We’re not all teachers. We often struggle to share our faith, even with those we know well. Yet if you are a follower of Jesus, the Great Commission in some way applies to you. You can look for opportunities for conversations. You can get alongside our family, our colleagues, our neighbours, our friends, and take every opportunity to tell them about Jesus.  We must remind ourselves constantly that we are ambassadors for Jesus in our community and our culture. And that means that the responsibility for continuing the work of the disciples is yours and mine.

Great Commission

The outworking of the Great Commission in your life will look very different from the Apostles. It will look different to how it looks in mine. But if it were not for countless generations of saints who have gone before us, recognising their own responsibility for the Great Commission, we probably wouldn’t even be having this conversation.

Remember who gave this command. Remember that ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus.’ 

‘Therefore go…’

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 10: Peter Restored

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Peter Restored

This is my tenth post on the  resurrection encounters.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

John 21: 15-23

Resurrection encounter
Horsham: 26th May 2026

Love is a theme of Scripture. God desires our devotional love.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.’

Deuteronomy 6:5

When Jesus first called Peter, he was a fisherman known as Simon. Jesus said ‘Follow me.’ Peter left his boat, his nets, his colleagues, his livelihood. Peter followed Jesus.

ResurrectionNow, on the beach near Capernaum, after his resurrection, Jesus catches up with Peter. Peter has returned to his old ways. He is with his friends. He is fishing.

On the morning of Christ’s arrest, Peter had denied his association with Jesus three times. On the beach, after breakfast, this is a resurrection encounter. Jesus asks Peter ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?‘  Three times. Each time he uses Peter’s old name. Straight to the heart of Peter’s identity.

‘Do you love me more than these?‘ Do you know me more than this boat, these nets, these fishermen, this livelihood. Jesus is asking, do you love me with all your heart, your soul, your strength, your mind?

‘I do love you. You know that I love you,‘ says Peter. Three times. Jesus said to Peter,  ‘Take care of my sheep.’ Three times. Be a shepherd to those who are following me.

Jesus tells Peter where this will lead.

18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” (v18)

For Peter, following Jesus would lead him to his own execution in Rome. His hands outstretched. Crucifixion. If you love me, leave all this behind you. ‘Follow me.’

This is a second chance. This is restoration.

Peter, of course, immediately turns back and sees John. In effect says to Jesus, ‘What about him?’ Moments after his restoration, it’s as if Peter has lost focus. Again. Christ responds directly.  ‘What is that to you? You must follow me.” Don’t worry about stuff which has nothing to do with you.

Focus. If you love me, focus on me. Fix your eyes on me. Follow me.

End Piece
However close Peter had felt to Jesus, after Christ’s arrest and execution, Peter was a broken man. He had trusted Jesus as a friend. He knew that he had let Jesus down. When he realised what he had done, Peter broke down and wept (Mark:14:72). He had believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but surely the Messiah was not supposed to die like this.

On the morning of resurrection, Peter was skeptical that Christ had risen. He was amongst those who disbelieved the reports of the women (Luke 24:11). Yet later that day, the risen Jesus appeared to Peter. On at least two later occasions, Peter was there with other disciples when Jesus appeared. This conversation takes place after the appearance which we have called ‘breakfast on the beach‘.

I am so grateful for Peter.  I can identify with Peter. He made mistakes. He got stuff wrong. I’ve done that too. Like Peter, there have been moments when I know that I have let Jesus down.

I love the fact that in his resurrection, Jesus took Peter to one side and spoke to him. He didn’t tell Peter that he was forgiven. He just told him not to be distracted, but to focus and follow.

Peter was forgiven. Peter was restored. Peter followed. He went on to fulfil his commission as that foundation rock of the Christian Church, first in Jerusalem, and later in Rome.

If. like me, you are a follower of Jesus, you still need to answer that question. ‘Do you love me?’

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.’

Mark 12:30

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

Resurrection, Uncategorized

Resurrection 9: Breakfast On the Beach

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We are on the beach of the Sea of Galilee, almost certainly close to Capernaum. This is the 9th of our resurrection encounters with Jesus.

Breakfast on the Beach

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Resurrection encounter

Weymouth: 13th May 2026

Third Appearance to the Disciples
We have already seen that Jesus appeared to a group of his disciples on the day of his resurrection. The significant feature of that appearance was the absence of Thomas. He appeared about a week later to the whole group, including Thomas. Both of those appearances occurred when the disciples were in a safe house in the back streets of Jerusalem, behind locked doors, for fear of the Jewish leaders. You may recall that during the first resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene, an angel told Mary that the risen Christ had gone ahead of them into Galilee. ‘There, you will see him.’ (Matthew 28:7). In this account, John tells us that the group have returned from Jerusalem to Galilee, and as promised, Jesus appears to them. This, says John is the third time that Jesus appeared to them as a group (v14).

153 Fish
The disciples are gathered together on the shores of Lake Galilee. Peter and some of the group are fishing. These guys are fishermen. They are experts of their trade. As happens sometimes, they are unsuccessful. They have caught nothing.

A man on the shore shouts out to them. ‘Caught anything?’ They look at the man. None of them recognise him. Perhaps he is a trader looking for fish. ‘Try throwing your nets out on the other side of the boat.’ Such a suggestion is not so unusual. Sometimes, someone on the shore can see darkness or disturbance in the water which the fishermen can’t.  Whatever – there’s nothing to lose. The nets are thrown out and immediately it’s clear that something is happening. The net is full. So full that they need to call in other boats to haul them in. Not just fish. Large fish. 153 large fish.

4th Century Saint Jerome, suggests that the number 153 represents the total number of fish species known in the ancient world. He suggests that this means that the good news of Christ’s resurrection is for every nation and every people group. The fact that the net doesn’t break means that Christ’s love is for everyone.

Other interpretations are available.

It is the Lord
It’s the Apostle John who suddenly recognises the man on the beach. ‘It is the LORD.’ In his excitement, Peter leaps into the water and runs to the shore about 100 yards away to greet Jesus. Fishing is hard and wet work. Fishermen like Peter didn’t wear much. He grabs his robe. This detail is there for a reason. To greet Jesus whilst undressed would be inappropriate. The others turn their boat towards shore. There’s no way the net can be lifted into the boat so they drag it into the shallows.

Breakfast
There, on the beach, all the preparations have been made for an al fresco breakfast. Burning coals. Warm bread. They gut and clean some of the fish, washing it in the waters of Galilee. It is put on the coals. Jesus, they know that it is Jesus, serves them. The Master takes the place of the servant.

The first two appearances to the group of disciples were extraordinary and supernatural. By eating fish and allowing the disciples to see and touch his wounds, Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection.

In this moment on the beach, he takes that demonstration one huge step further. This time it is Jesus who gives the fish and the bread to the disciples. This is no secret meeting with his closest friends behind locked doors. Even today, a skeptic might wonder whether stories related some kind of group hallucination. This appearance is different. This is a truly public appearance on the beach in Galilee. This takes place amongst the bustle of the fishing community.

This is Jesus. This is resurrection.

End Piece
On the beach, Jesus showed them how to catch fish. When Jesus first called Peter to follow him, he told them that he would make them ‘fishers of men’ (Matthew 4:19). The Great Commission places that same responsibility on every generation of followers of Jesus.

Even apostles may fish and catch nothing. Do not be discouraged, you who, when you are endeavoring to fish for souls, for many a day catch nothing. (CH Spurgeon)

There is a message here. You may feel that you have not caught a fish for some time. Pray that Jesus will show you where you should be casting your net.

Don’t stop fishing!

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 8: Appearance to Disciples and Thomas

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Appearance to Disciples and Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as 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.”
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.”

Resurrection encounter

12th May 2026: Weymouth
Thomas, Didymus: Disciple of Jesus

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples, sometimes known by his Roman name of Didymus (which means ‘the Twin’. We know nothing about his life prior to becoming one of those men who spent three years travelling with and learning at the feet of Jesus during his ministry in Galilee and beyond. Having started to believe that he was the Messiah, those early followers of Jesus regarded him as a strong, powerful and invincible leader. None of them understood the lesson that the Messiah must die and be raised again on the third day. 

“The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Luke 9:22

Thomas was no fool. We can’t be surprised that he and his friends believed that if Jesus died, that would be the end of his life. He was ready, if necessary, to die with Jesus. It was Thomas who said, ‘Let us go with him to Jerusalem that we might die with Him.’ John 11:16..

‘Thomas never lacked courage, but he was the natural pessimist. There can never be any doubt that he loved Jesus. He loved him enough to be willing to go to Jerusalem and die with him when the other disciples were hesitant and afraid.’ (Wm Barclay)

Yet when Jesus was arrested in the early hours of the morning, like everyone else, Thomas ran away. Like everyone else, he was  overwhelmed with guilt and shame. Like everyone else he was devastated by the death of Jesus. Like everyone else he went into hiding for fear of the Jewish leaders.

We next hear of Thomas when the disciples were in hiding on the day of resurrection, as Jesus appears to the disciples. We hear about Thomas then, not because he was there, but because he was not. At some point, possibly very soon afterwards, Thomas is told that Christ had appeared. By this time he has been seen in the garden by Mary Magdalene, he has been seen by Peter, and he has been seen by two people on the road to Emmaus. In spite of all these witness testimonies, Thomas doesn’t believe it. 

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. (John 20:25)

Days later, the whole group were together again, locked in their safe house. This time Thomas is there. Suddenly, Jesus is there amongst them. ‘Peace be with you.’ Don’t be afraid. He turns to Thomas. No reproach. Just put your hand here. The palm of my hands. The wound in my side. “Stop doubting. Only believe.’(v27)

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (V28)

End Piece

Resurrection. It’s easy to understand Thomas’ problem. Easy to understand his doubt. In human terms it makes no sense. People don’t rise from the dead, do they? You may feel the same kind of doubt in your mind as you read the accounts of the resurrection. 

A constant theme of my teaching has been to emphasise the personal nature of our relationship with Jesus. When you read Scripture, use it as a mirror to reflect on your own life, to recognise your own gifts and shortcomings (James 1:23-24). Use it to , and to understand your own relationship with God . Don’t use it to judge other people (Matthew 7: 1-5). Our relationship with Jesus, our faith, our fears and our doubts, are intensely personal. We should not assume that Thomas’ faith had abandoned him. We should not assume that Thomas had given up on God.  We can understand his doubt.

It’s sort of surprising that the Gospel writer included this account. The fact that Thomas mistrusted the resurrection stories of his friends. It opens the door to doubt. It was ok to doubt. Jesus was supposed to be a very different kind of Messiah, but now he was dead.

I often feel doubts myself. Sometimes people around me talk about the most extraordinary experiences, and I can end up feeling as if I am missing out. There are times when I want Jesus to be something he isn’t. I want him to do the things which I want him to do. I guess I want him to be a different kind of saviour – my kind of saviour. I guess that there’s a bit of ‘doubting Thomas’ in all of us. I’m so grateful this story is here.

The fact is that, as Thomas discovered,  this Jesus is much bigger than we think. Thomas was forced to to re-evaluate his personal relationship with Jesus. To accept the fact of resurrection.

I have to do that every day.

My Lord, and my God.

Footnote
It was this Thomas who took the Christian faith to the Indian sub-continent, where we believe that  he was martyred in Chennai in 72AD. Imagine where Jesus could take you if you would only stop doubting. Only believe!

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 7: Behind Locked Doors

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Jesus Appears to His Disciples

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 Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the 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.”

Luke 24:36-49

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20: 19-20

resurrection
Weymouth: 11th May 2024

This may be a familiar  story. Too often we read it on its own, without engaging with the wider context. It’s part of a sequence of supernatural events on that first day of resurrection.

If we follow Luke’s account, the two followers of Jesus who had met the resurrected Christ on the road to Emmaus, return to Jerusalem with their extraordinary news. They go straight to the safe house where Peter and the remaining disciples are hiding behind locked doors. They are welcomed in, and greeted with the news that Jesus has also appeared to Peter. Then, almost immediately, Christ is in the room with them.

His appearance is so sudden that they think they are seeing a ghost. ‘Peace be with you..’ Don’t be afraid…  Easily said. They’re terrified. His hands. His feet. His side. There is no doubt that it is Jesus. He eats with them. He consumes a piece of fish, not because he is hungry but to convince them of the reality of his resurrection. Then, as he had done on the road to Emmaus, he uses Scripture to show that he is the Son of God – that the Messiah must die and be raised again to life. That there is a mission to take the Gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins is to all nations. They are to stay in Jerusalem and await the outpouring of power from on high.

The disbelief is understandable. These men were with Jesus when he was arrested. Some of them saw him in custody at the house of Caiaphas, Some will have seen him beaten mercilessly. Several will have seen him, broken and badly injured, paraded through the streets on his way to execution. They know that he was killed. Mary had seen him buried. Yet by now, this same Mary has seen him raised. Peter has seen him. The two witnesses from Emmaus have seen him. 

Yet still the disciples struggle to believe. Who can blame them? The dead do not rise and return. Yet here is Jesus, in the room with them, eating a piece of fish. Their initial disbelief is tangible and understandable. It echoes through the generations and the centuries even to the present age.

End Piece
Taken literally, this story is explosive. It speaks of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. It speaks of the extraordinary, supernatural power of God through Christ in his resurrection. It speaks of the mind bending power of the risen Jesus. This story speaks of the anticipation of a new chapter of supernatural power from on high. It speaks of a small group of followers of Jesus who struggled to believe their own senses. In context with the wider account of Peter and the road to Emmaus, why would you not take this story literally? This story is explosive.

Of course, you may still be unimpressed. You may think it’s just a story, made up by a bunch of grieving friends. You may not believe it. After all, you weren’t there.

The Apostle Thomas wasn’t there either. Neither was the Apostle called Thomas. He didn’t believe them either. He had been one of the closest followers of Jesus. One of the twelve. He went through so much with Jesus, yet he is most commonly remembered because of this. When they told him what happened, he didn’t believe them either. 

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 21:25

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex