The Gospel and Adoption into God’s Family: Galatians 4:1-7Paul introduces the ideas of adoption and inheritance based on the experience of the Gentile areas he is preaching to. Adopted children could inherit all that belonged to the family. All those blessings are ours in Christ Jesus. We do not need to look back.

Having encouraged the Roman Christians to be sensitive and kind to each other, Paul encourages them to have a long-term commitment to Jesus. He explains that the Old Testament is full of encouraging examples of faith. He traces the purpose of God to start with the Jewish nation and then to bring in the Gentiles to the faith.

Jesus appears to James. His final appearance is to the disciples and ends with his ascension. He taught them about the Kingdom over 40 days and commissioned them to go to all the world.

The disciples have a miraculous catch of fish and recognise Jesus on the shore. They breakfast with him and then he reinstates Peter to his important role as pastor/leader of the Church.

Thomas was absent when Jesus met the other Apostles but Jesus appears here in exactly the same way. Thomas believes. The writer, John, declares his intention is to help people believe.

Jesus appears to a group of disciples including ten Apostles. He proves his physical resurrection body. He explains to them from the Old Testament that what has happened was predicted and begins to commission them.

The second appearance of Jesus is to the group of women who clasp his feet and worship him. The Temple guards are bribed to say that the disciples stole the body.

On Sunday the women discover the empty tomb and tell Peter and John. Mary stays at the tomb and Jesus appears to her and gives her the charge to tell the disciples.

Two members of the Sanhedrin bury Jesus, watched by a group of women. The divine Jesus did not die but went to be with his Father, but the human Jesus did die and was buried in a sealed tomb.

In the first three hours of Jesus on the cross he makes three statements showing his concern for others - those within his sight, the criminal and his mother.