Final answer:
Jesus is said to have presented himself alive after his crucifixion, appearing to his disciples over forty days, a narrative told in the New Testament Gospels. This event is pivotal to Christianity, establishing Jesus as 'the Christ', and is commemorated during Holy Week. Medieval perspectives later evolved to include images of a more human, suffering Christ.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the period following Jesus Christ's crucifixion, commonly referred to as the Passion, which concludes with his death on the cross and subsequent resurrection accounted for in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. According to these Gospels, Jesus presented himself alive to his disciples by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them over forty days before his ascension into heaven. This narrative reflects the core belief of Christianity that Jesus rose from the grave, an event commemorated annually during Holy Week, and illustrates his followers' profound belief in him as 'the Christ', interpreted as 'the anointed one' or 'savior', in fulfillment of Jewish messianic prophecy.
In addition, the transition from the image of a triumphant Christ to a more relatable Patient Christ who shared in human suffering became a subject of focus among writers and preachers in the later Middle Ages. This contrasted with earlier Catholic depictions which emphasized his divine invulnerability.