Paper 192 Overview: Appearances in Galilee

This Paper describes what happened after Jesus rose from the dead and how he appeared to his apostles in Galilee. The Jewish leaders thought they had crushed the gospel movement, but believers continued to spread stories that Jesus had risen. The apostles left Jerusalem for Galilee, with Peter being the recognized head of the group.

Jesus made several appearances to the apostles in Galilee including by the lake shore and on a mountain. During these visits, he spoke with them personally, shared meals with them, and gave them instructions for their future work. He reminded them of their mission to preach the gospel and commissioned them to continue his work.

By the time the apostles left Jerusalem for Galilee, the Jewish leaders had calmed down about Jesus. Since Jesus only appeared to believers and the apostles were in hiding, the rulers thought they had stopped the gospel movement. They tried to counter the rumors of Jesus' resurrection by having guards claim that followers had stolen his body.

Peter became the leader of the apostles, although Jesus never officially gave him this authority. After returning from Galilee, Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle. Mary, Jesus' mother, spent time with the women believers at Joseph of Arimathea's home during this period.

On Friday morning, April 21, Jesus made his thirteenth appearance to the ten apostles near the shore in Bethsaida. The apostles had spent Thursday afternoon and evening at the Zebedee home, and Peter suggested they go fishing. They caught nothing all night, but as morning came they saw someone standing on the beach near a fire.

At first they thought it was John Mark, but as they got closer they could see the person was too tall. The man called out asking if they had caught any fish, and when they said no, he told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. The net immediately filled with fish, and John recognized that it was Jesus speaking to them. Peter quickly jumped into the water to reach Jesus while the others brought the boat to shore with the net full of fish.

John Mark was also there and ran to greet them, noticing there were eleven men instead of ten. He knew the unrecognized one must be Jesus. When John Mark knelt at Jesus' feet, Jesus spoke to him kindly and asked him to stay for breakfast. The apostles were so surprised they forgot to bring in their catch, and Jesus reminded them to do so. There were 153 large fish in the net, though this was not a miracle—Jesus simply knew where the fish were.

Jesus invited them all to breakfast, including the twins. He told John Mark to prepare seven fish, which Jesus cooked. After they were served, Jesus broke bread for them and talked about their experiences in Galilee. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to the apostles as a group. Later, when Simon Zelotes returned home in despair, Peter and Andrew were sent to bring him back.

After breakfast, Jesus invited Peter and John to walk with him along the beach. As they walked, Jesus asked John if he loved him. When John answered yes with all his heart, Jesus told him to give up his intolerance and learn to love men as Jesus had loved him. Jesus explained that it is love that leads men to seek salvation.

Next, Jesus turned to Peter and asked if he loved him. Peter said he did love Jesus with all his soul. Jesus then told Peter to feed his lambs, minister to the weak and poor, and preach the gospel without fear. A little further along, Jesus asked Peter again if he loved him. When Peter confirmed he did, Jesus told him to take good care of his sheep and be a good shepherd to the flock.

For a third time, Jesus asked Peter if he truly loved him. Peter, feeling a bit upset by Jesus' repeated questions, answered that Jesus knew all things and knew that Peter truly loved him. Jesus then told him to feed his sheep, not to forsake the flock, and to follow after him. Peter misunderstood this last statement as a literal instruction to follow Jesus, and asked what John should do. Jesus clarified that he was speaking spiritually, not literally.

Jesus continued meeting with his apostles in pairs. He spoke with Andrew and James about trust and patience. He encouraged Thomas to grow in faith and stop doubting. With Nathaniel, he discussed devotion to the welfare of his brethren. To Philip and Matthew, he gave instructions to go forth and proclaim the gospel. Finally, he spoke with the Alpheus twins about believing in him even after he was gone.

At noon on Saturday, April 22, the eleven apostles gathered on a hill near Capernaum, and Jesus appeared among them. This was Jesus' fourteenth appearance after his resurrection. The apostles knelt in a circle around Jesus as he repeated the same words he had used when he first made them his apostles.

Jesus prayed with great power and authority, as one who had all authority in his universe. The apostles never forgot this special experience of being rededicated to their work as ambassadors. After spending one hour with them on the mountain, Jesus said farewell and disappeared from their sight.

For a full week after this, no one saw Jesus again. The apostles stayed in Bethsaida, unsure what to do next. They were afraid to go fishing in case Jesus came to visit while they were gone. During this week, Jesus was busy with the morontia creatures on earth and with his own transition process.

As word spread through Galilee about Jesus' appearances, more believers came to the Zebedee home asking questions. Peter announced that a public meeting would be held by the sea the next Sabbath afternoon. On Saturday, April 29, more than five hundred believers gathered at Bethsaida to hear Peter preach.

Peter gave a powerful sermon, and very few doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead after hearing him. At the end of his sermon, Peter declared that they had seen and talked with Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus appeared beside Peter and said, "Peace be upon you, and my peace I leave with you." Then he vanished from their sight. This was Jesus' fifteenth appearance.

The next day, the apostles left for Jerusalem as Jesus had instructed them to do. On their journey, they taught and preached along the Jordan River. They arrived at the home of Mark in Jerusalem on Wednesday, May 3, only to find that Mark's father had just died from a brain hemorrhage.

Although they mourned this loss, the apostles were comforted by their belief in the resurrection. John Mark invited them to continue staying at his mother's house, and they made the upper room their headquarters until after Pentecost. The next night, the apostles had a meeting where most pledged to preach about the risen Lord. Under Peter's leadership, they began changing the focus of their message from the gospel of the kingdom to proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.