Jesus' Fourth Appearance 

In the aftermath of Jesus' third resurrection appearance to James in the garden near the empty tomb of Lazarus, excitement and disbelief filled the air. Rushing into the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary where the others were, James eagerly shared his experience of meeting the morontia form of Jesus. The message was clear: Jesus was alive, having risen from the dead, and he had spoken to James, leaving a farewell message for them all. Jude, who had been away, returned, and James retold the story for his benefit. The doubt and skepticism that had shrouded their hearts began to give way to the realization of the resurrection.

As the news of Jesus’ third appearance settled in, anticipation filled the hearts of those gathered in the Bethany home. Just before two o'clock in the afternoon, less than two hours after his appearance to James, Jesus appeared in the open back door before his earthly family and their friends, twenty in all, saying:

"Peace be upon you. Greetings to those once near me in the flesh and fellowship for my brothers and sisters in the kingdom of heaven. How could you doubt? Why have you lingered so long before choosing to follow the light of truth with a whole heart? Come, therefore, all of you into the fellowship of the Spirit of Truth in the Father’s kingdom."

As they recovered from the initial shock of their astonishment and moved toward him as if to embrace him, he disappeared from their view.

Following Jesus’ disappearance from their view, those assembled were eager to go back to the city and tell the doubting apostles what had happened, but James stopped them. Only Mary Magdalene was permitted to return to Joseph's home. Because of specific things Jesus spoke to him in the garden, James banned them from publicizing the fact of this morontia visit. But the stage was set for his fifth appearance, just over two hours later at the home of Joseph of Arimathea.