(from Images of the Savior 50: His Appearances to His Followers)
Let us reflect on some of the designs which Jesus had in his forty-day ministry to his followers, before he was taken up to heaven. We must notice, first of all, that this period of time had the effect of grounding the historical reality of Jesus’ resurrection, that non-negotiable foundation of the Christian faith, in undeniable certainty. Our religion differs from all others in that, if this historical event had not occurred, we are utterly deprived of all hope and of every reason to adhere to our faith. Mohammed and Buddha are right now rotting in their graves, and their death can little invalidate the moral precepts that they enjoined upon their followers. But our religion is of a different sort, and we have nothing left if our Savior did not rise again: every reward that we have been promised is a mockery, and every command that we have been given is an impossibility, inasmuch as its true fulfillment demands a new, resurrection life. Consider, then, how vital it was that Jesus leave behind many firm and reliable witnesses to his resurrection, beginning with Mary Magdalene, moving on first to the ten disciples, and then to Thomas, the eleventh, showing himself alive to above five hundred brothers at one time (I Corinthians 15:6), and finally appearing to the apostle Paul as well (I Corinthians 15:8). If Jesus had simply ascended to the Father forthwith, at his resurrection, we would have had the eloquent witness of the empty tomb, but the eye-witness reports of so many, that have succored our souls through every ravage of doubt, would have been lost upon us.