Originally posted: 11/18/2019

After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way… ¹⁴ This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead, (21:1, 14).

Jesus Manifested Himself to His disciples, alive. And while at first they did not recognize Him, there was no fear or wonder in their initial reaction to Him. They saw Him as a man, alive.

But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus, (21:4).

But after their miraculous catch, they knew…

So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.” ⁶ And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. ⁷ Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” …Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord, (21:5-7, 12).

Consider Him Who Manifested Himself

Other English translations of the Bible translate this word manifested as: appeared, revealed Himself, showed Himself, made Himself known.

Manifested, as translated from the Greek: 24.19 φανερόω^a; ἐμφανίζω^a: to cause to become visible—‘to make appear, to make visible, to cause to be seen.’ (Louw-Nida Greek Lexicon)

When Jesus Manifested Himself He caused Himself to become visible, and by this His disciples were secure; their Savior had conquered death and would live forever. The message of the gospel is built on the fact of His death and His Resurrection.

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you… ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4).

Jesus Manifested Himself to several people on several occasions; and on one occasion to more than five hundred (most of whom were still alive at John’s writing), validating the message of the gospel.

• When Jesus Manifested Himself, He validated His Resurrection.
  • and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; ⁷ then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; ⁸ and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also, (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

• When Jesus Manifested Himself, He validated our faith.
  • But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; ¹⁴ and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain, (1 Corinthians 15:13).

• When Jesus Manifested Himself, He validated the fact that the dead in Christ are raised.
  • Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; (1 Corinthians 15:15-16).

• When Jesus Manifested Himself, He validated our forgiveness and eternal life in Christ.
  • and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished, (1 Corinthians 15:17).

• When Jesus Manifested Himself, He validated our hope.
  • If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied, (1 Corinthians 15:19).

How do we respond to Him Who Manifested Himself?

He Manifested Himself… for us. He knew the darts of doubt the enemy would relentlessly throw at all those who would follow Him by faith. Because He Manifested Himself, we have assurance that all He told us is true.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. ³ If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:1-3).

He Who Manifested Himself has validated for us the truth of His resurrection, our faith, our eternal security and our secure hope in Him. Our faith is established in fact, not feelings; and because He Manifested Himself our lives are transformed.

May we daily grow in assurance and godliness as we study His Word and look forward to the blessed hope we have in Him Who Manifested Himself.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, (Titus 2:11-13).

Let’s Grow Together!