Christ and His Disciples After the Resurrection

Main Idea

The lecture explains that the work of Christ did not stop at the Cross or the Resurrection, but continued after the Resurrection in caring for His disciples, healing their weakness, strengthening their faith, and preparing them to carry the mission of the Church to the whole world.

Spiritual and Educational Dimension

• His Holiness Pope Shenouda III affirms that Christ continually worked for the salvation of humanity, before the Cross and after the Resurrection.
• After the Resurrection, Christ first focused on healing the disciples’ fear, doubts, and psychological distress caused by the crucifixion.
• The Resurrection was necessary to prove that Christ is stronger than death, and that the Crucifixion was not a defeat but part of the divine plan of redemption.
• Christ appeared to His disciples many times in a real body to confirm the reality of the bodily Resurrection, not merely a spiritual one.
• He explained to them the meaning of redemption, that His death was on behalf of humanity, which they could not understand before the Cross.
• He entrusted them with the sacraments of the Church and the teachings of the Kingdom of God, including the priesthood and baptism.
• He opened their minds to understand the symbols and prophecies written in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.
• He transferred them from faith based on sight to faith based on spiritual trust and the unseen presence of God.
• He prepared them for the apostolic mission, because they were the foundation upon which the Church would be built throughout generations.
• The teaching concludes by affirming that Christ is still working in every time and place, guiding the Church and protecting His children.

For better translation support, please contact the center.