The Resurrection

Religious Studies: KS3, topic 1.3.16

Christians believe that three days after he had died on the cross, Jesus rose again and left his burial tomb.

The Resurrection is one of the key events in Christianity. For some Christians, it is their most important belief.
The Gospels say some of Jesus' disciples went to Jesus' tomb on the third day after he died (Sunday) to pour oils on his body.
But when the disciples arrived, they saw the stone that sealed the entrance to the tomb had been rolled away.

Some accounts say that Jesus was seen at the tomb, fully alive. These accounts also say Jesus spoke to Mary Magdalene, one of his followers, at the tomb.
Other accounts say that Jesus appeared to his followers on the road.
At first, the disciples did not recognise Jesus.
But they recognised him later when he shared bread with his disciples (like at the Last Supper).
He then appeared to the rest of the apostles, who had locked themselves in a room because they were scared of the Roman authorities.

One story says that when Jesus appeared, one of the apostles, Thomas, was absent.
When Thomas was told that Jesus had appeared he refused to believe it. He wanted to see Jesus himself and see all the wounds Jesus had suffered at the Crucifixion.
Later Jesus did appear again, and Thomas was able to see the holes in his hands and feet, and believed that Jesus was indeed alive.
This is why Thomas is often known as 'Doubting Thomas', because he doubted that Jesus had risen again.

Test yourself on The Resurrection

What is the disciple Thomas often called?
When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the road, why did they eventually recognise him?