The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

[Rob]

Why didn’t Christ immediately ascend to His Father after His spirit reunited with His body? Before he talked with Mary Magdalene. 

[prisonchaplain]

The first thought that comes to my mind is that the over 500 witnesses of Jesus' bodily resurrection were likely crucial to spreading the Good News, especially in light of persecution from Rome, in collusion with Jewish leadership. Those that saw Jesus alive after He died were the ones willing to die rather than deny what they had seen and heard.

[Traveler]

2 hours ago, Rob said:

Why didn’t Christ immediately ascend to His Father after His spirit reunited with His body? Before he talked with Mary Magdalene. 

 

The answer is not given in scripture.  I have pondered that there is a reason and a purpose why he appeared to Mary Magdalene and that for now, that reason and purpose remains with Christ and Mary.  I conclude only two things – whatever the reason and purpose for that to happen; there was also reason and purpose to record the event in scripture.  The other thing I conclude was that Mary had a relationship with Christ that was different than any other disciple or apostle and yet we are not informed what that relationship was – we can only speculate.

 

The Traveler

[CV75]

2 hours ago, Rob said:

Why didn’t Christ immediately ascend to His Father after His spirit reunited with His body? Before he talked with Mary Magdalene. 

From John 20, it seems that some time was required to remove the napkin, arrange it with the linens, move the stone from the sepulcher, obtain clean clothing, and take care of other physical details to make one presentable after rising from the tomb. He may have prayed and performed some ordinance and dedication in the garden, at which point Mary came upon Him.

What is your answer? I hope it doesn’t have to do with Joseph Smith not understanding the scriptures, heaven and hell and the kingdoms of glory and damnation... ?

At any rate, He had ascended by that evening, if permission to touch Him is an indicator of having ascended, and perhaps even earlier (“toward evening”) according to Luke 24.

[prisonchaplain]

3 hours ago, CV75 said:

 

At any rate, He had ascended by that evening, if permission to touch Him is an indicator of having ascended, and perhaps even earlier (“toward evening”) according to Luke 24.

I'm not sure what the backstory is on this, but it's my understanding that Jesus did not ascend back to the Father for 40 days after his resurrection. Am I missing something?

[CV75]

2 hours ago, prisonchaplain said:

I'm not sure what the backstory is on this, but it's my understanding that Jesus did not ascend back to the Father for 40 days after his resurrection. Am I missing something?

John 20:17, "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." So Jesus ascended to His Father at some point between seeing Mary and forbidding her to touch Him (for He had not yet ascended) and later that evening when He freely invited the eleven to touch Him.

John 21:14 mentions the third time He showed Himself, and in these settings He presumably had physical contact with the disciples (21:8-13; Luke 24:41-43), and likewise He must have gone somewhere between visits (I'm suggesting the Father). Other such visits seem to have occurred over the span of forty days (Acts 1:3), and I don't think He lodged with the disciples (3 Nephi includes a record of multiple visits where He came and went over a period of days).

So while we have the record of His ascending the first time within hours of His resurrection, and then others after visiting His followers, I think you are referring to the final ascension of Biblical record in Acts 1:9-11.

[NightSG]

1 hour ago, CV75 said:

He must have gone somewhere between visits (I'm suggesting the Father).

Probably just hiding from His home teachers.

[askandanswer]

I'm not sure if there was any requirement for Jesus to immediately ascend to His Father. I'm guessing He had some choice in the matter.

[askandanswer]

13 hours ago, Rob said:

Why didn’t Christ immediately ascend to His Father after His spirit reunited with His body? 

If we can find out why the chicken crossed the road, we may well find the answer to this question. (Sorry Rob, couldn't resist  )

[wenglund]

16 hours ago, Rob said:

Why didn’t Christ immediately ascend to His Father after His spirit reunited with His body? Before he talked with Mary Magdalene. 

Might it be that he was waiting until the end of the new Sabbath--i.e. Sunday after sunset, as a way of setting a presidence for a change in Sabbath observance.? He appeared to Mary Magdalene on Sunday morning.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-