The Third Manifestation of the Risen Lord

In reviewing and editing my past blogs I happened across this one that I never submitted. It deals with one of the manifestations of our Lord to His disciples after He had risen from the dead. This manifestation is recorded in John 21. John 21:14 informs us that this was “now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.” For today I want to zero in on the following passage:

John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.

2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

The statement is made that “Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias.” Then in the next verse these disciples are named with the exception of two. They are simply called “two other.” I can do no better than cite the following words of G. Campbell Morgan found in his book Searchlights from the Word. Dr. Morgan was commenting on the “two other.”

Who were the men? They were Simon Peter and Thomas, and Nathaniel, and James and John – all outstanding figures. But there were “two other,” and they are unnamed, and I believe purposely unnamed. They represent the anonymous and hidden multitudes of faithful souls, whose names are never published in human documents, and whose deeds are never recorded in human reports. To these He manifested Himself, as surely as to the others. Those “two other” represented the majority of the saints. Let all such remember that of His fullness they also receive.

Now that is profound and well worth pondering! At this time our risen Lord manifested Himself to the “two other” unnamed disciples just as He did to those who were named.

We have additional information recorded in the Bible respecting those disciples who were named. For example, a good deal of information is recorded in the New Testament about Simon Peter, James, and John. We also have more information about Thomas and Nathanael than is recorded in this chapter. But of these “two other” we know nothing more than that they were disciples of our Lord and that He appeared to them at this time. But the fact that He appeared to them just as He did to those who are named, shows that He has the same regard for them as for the others.

Those disciples who are named are no more the disciples of our Lord than those who are not named. The named disciples are examples of the multitudes of unnamed disciples. As we study their lives we see the same struggles and the same triumphs that we experience as followers of our Lord. Peter had his moment of cowardice when he denied his Lord (Matthew 26:69-75). Thomas had his moment when he doubted (John 20:24-25). Nathanael doubted the claims of Jesus at first (John 1:45-46). James and John in blind zeal shot off at the mouth one time and had to be rebuked by our Lord (Luke 9:51-56). That the named disciples could have such struggles and yet be disciples of Christ should give hope to the many unnamed disciples. And that Christ would manifest Himself to the unnamed disciples as well as to those who are named should give them encouragement. Our Lord does not forget those who are unnamed.

The following passages assure us that although we may not be named in historical records of the disciples of our Lord, our Lord has a record of us and although we see Him not now, we shall see Him in His glory as surely as every disciple that is named in the word of God.

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.