Emmaus road

The two disciples of the Emmaus Road appearance rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven they had seen Jesus and He is very much alive! Upon arrival with the ..good news.. they find that the others already know about the Risen Lord. It was Sunday evening and they had gathered to...sort this out! When the two from Emmaus arrived they were told that Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter.

Peter knew the tomb was empty...He was witness to that... but he did not believe Jesus had risen...until Jesus appeared to him! The disciples despair over Jesus’ death was overwhelming, but now since Peter had seen Him and they had seen Him, the despair was now exceeding joy. Their Lord was alive....just as He said. As they discussed the last few days’ events, they began to remember things Jesus had said.

As they were discussing Jesus, He walked through the .. apparently.. locked door and ...stood in their midst! Again they see the Risen Christ! The first reaction...they were terrified because they thought they had seen a spirit. Again Jesus had to prove that it was He standing before them. Now they’re...overjoyed...to say the least!!! But Thomas was not at this appearance! When told of Jesus appearance, he said I must see His wounds and touch them before I can believe.

A week later Jesus appears again to the disciples and Thomas is present. Jesus invited him to put his finger into the wounds and then to believe...and he did believe! Jesus told Thomas he believed because he had seen Him, but “blessed are those who believe that have not seen!” (John 20:29).

Jesus next appearance was by the Sea of Galilee where He cooked fish for several disciples who had gone fishing. This is the appearance where Jesus restores Peter. Peter had denied Jesus three times during His trials and now Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Of course, Peter says he does and Jesus tells him to “feed my sheep.” (John 21). Peter is restored to right standing for the mission of building the Church...” upon this rock” (Matthew 16:18-19). Jesus is the Rock and Peter is commissioned to build the Church... with people...disciples!

Paul mentions an appearance in 1 Corinthians 15:6. This appearance was to more than 500 people. The commentary says “they worshipped, but some doubted (Matthew 28:17).

Jesus then appeared to His brother James who, along with Jesus’ other siblings, did not believe. James finally did believe and became instrumental in the church in Jerusalem.

At the end of the forty days, Jesus appeared again to the disciples who, again, were gathered probably in the Upper Room. Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit upon them...but to “tarry in Jerusalem until you are empowered from on high.” (Luke 24:49).

At every appearance, Jesus has a purpose. He is preparing the disciples for their work still to be done! He is assuring them that everything is okay. He is preparing them for His imminent departure! Jesus, teacher, Lord, Savior, King all the way !!! Praise Him!
Scripture does record the ministries of Peter, James, and John extensively ... but not the others. They did go forth with the good news and did have their own ministry but they’re barely recorded in scripture.