Luke Chapter 24
“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning……” (Ch. 24:1-12)
The women wanted to complete the task they had been unable to complete on Friday. They went to the tomb where they had seen Jesus laid. They had not the slightest idea that His body might not be there. They had witnessed from afar the execution. Although Jesus had spoken about being resurrected, they all thought that He was talking about the mass resurrection of all who follow God, to take place when the Messiah comes.
The stone covering the entrance was rolled away! Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. The two beings that began to speak to them were immediately recognized as sent from God. Everything was too white, bright and shiny. They bowed to the ground. These beings explained by repeating what Jesus had said, being risen on the third day.
Luke indicates that there were probably as many as six women who had gone to the tomb that morning. The Disciples thought the women were talking crazy. They could not believe that Jesus was alive. Peter took it upon himself to go to the tomb to verify what the women were telling them. Peter saw the open tomb and the linen straps in which Jesus had been wrapped, and still could not understand what had happened.
“On that same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus…….” (Ch. 24:13-35)
Meanwhile, out on the road leading to Emmaus traveled two of them. Two of who? Two disciples of Christ. Emmaus was about seven miles northeast of Jerusalem. They were walking toward the west, toward the setting sun. They were very downcast because their hopes for the Jewish nation had been dashed. Jesus joined them and engaged them in a few lessons regarding the law and the prophets. He showed them how all these things that occurred fulfilled prophesies about the Messiah. They were fascinated by His knowledge, but His identity was hidden from them.
When they arrived at their home in Emmaus, they asked the stranger to join them for the evening meal. It was late and getting dark. Perhaps He might stay the night? At the meal, Christ took the bread, broke it and asked for God’s blessing of the meal. As He disappeared from their sight, they recognized who it was who had been with them. They were very excited, and ran to tell the Apostles and the others about having seen Jesus.
As in our faith today, Jesus did not force himself upon Cleopas and his wife. He was invited in. In our time also, we must invite Jesus into our lives.
Why do some make the assumption that the unnamed traveler was Cleopas’ wife? There are two reasons. First, Luke is seen as the master of detail. He knows the name of one of the pair, but not the other? Women generally were considered second class and if they were somewhat inconsequential, their names might not have been recorded. Second, it is unlikely that a man would invite a stranger for dinner without his wife knowing about it.
“While they were all speaking, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and said to them…” (Ch.24:36-49)
Jesus’ appearance in their midst was totally startling to the Apostles and other believers. It took some convincing, even to the point of Jesus showing the wounds to his hands and feet. The reality of the resurrection was just starting to set in. Jesus went on to explain how the law, the prophets and the Psalms had prophesied these events, just as He had with the two on the road to Emmaus.
He explained to them their roles in educating the world about the new agreement between God and mankind and that they would have help from God. They needed to wait together in Jerusalem for that help. That wait together would go a long way toward cohesiveness among them. They would reinforce the memories of all that had occurred during the three years of ministry.
“Jesus led them out as far as Bethany; and He raised His hands and blessed them….” (Ch. 24:50-53)
This spectacular event had to occur. It was the ascension of Jesus of Nazareth into heaven alongside God as Jesus Christ. It left the Apostles absolutely giddy and joyful. In waiting in Jerusalem, they spent their days at the Temple, praising God….awaiting what was next for them.
The women wanted to complete the task they had been unable to complete on Friday. They went to the tomb where they had seen Jesus laid. They had not the slightest idea that His body might not be there. They had witnessed from afar the execution. Although Jesus had spoken about being resurrected, they all thought that He was talking about the mass resurrection of all who follow God, to take place when the Messiah comes.
The stone covering the entrance was rolled away! Jesus’ body was not in the tomb. The two beings that began to speak to them were immediately recognized as sent from God. Everything was too white, bright and shiny. They bowed to the ground. These beings explained by repeating what Jesus had said, being risen on the third day.
Luke indicates that there were probably as many as six women who had gone to the tomb that morning. The Disciples thought the women were talking crazy. They could not believe that Jesus was alive. Peter took it upon himself to go to the tomb to verify what the women were telling them. Peter saw the open tomb and the linen straps in which Jesus had been wrapped, and still could not understand what had happened.
“On that same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus…….” (Ch. 24:13-35)
Meanwhile, out on the road leading to Emmaus traveled two of them. Two of who? Two disciples of Christ. Emmaus was about seven miles northeast of Jerusalem. They were walking toward the west, toward the setting sun. They were very downcast because their hopes for the Jewish nation had been dashed. Jesus joined them and engaged them in a few lessons regarding the law and the prophets. He showed them how all these things that occurred fulfilled prophesies about the Messiah. They were fascinated by His knowledge, but His identity was hidden from them.
When they arrived at their home in Emmaus, they asked the stranger to join them for the evening meal. It was late and getting dark. Perhaps He might stay the night? At the meal, Christ took the bread, broke it and asked for God’s blessing of the meal. As He disappeared from their sight, they recognized who it was who had been with them. They were very excited, and ran to tell the Apostles and the others about having seen Jesus.
As in our faith today, Jesus did not force himself upon Cleopas and his wife. He was invited in. In our time also, we must invite Jesus into our lives.
Why do some make the assumption that the unnamed traveler was Cleopas’ wife? There are two reasons. First, Luke is seen as the master of detail. He knows the name of one of the pair, but not the other? Women generally were considered second class and if they were somewhat inconsequential, their names might not have been recorded. Second, it is unlikely that a man would invite a stranger for dinner without his wife knowing about it.
“While they were all speaking, Jesus stood in the midst of them, and said to them…” (Ch.24:36-49)
Jesus’ appearance in their midst was totally startling to the Apostles and other believers. It took some convincing, even to the point of Jesus showing the wounds to his hands and feet. The reality of the resurrection was just starting to set in. Jesus went on to explain how the law, the prophets and the Psalms had prophesied these events, just as He had with the two on the road to Emmaus.
He explained to them their roles in educating the world about the new agreement between God and mankind and that they would have help from God. They needed to wait together in Jerusalem for that help. That wait together would go a long way toward cohesiveness among them. They would reinforce the memories of all that had occurred during the three years of ministry.
“Jesus led them out as far as Bethany; and He raised His hands and blessed them….” (Ch. 24:50-53)
This spectacular event had to occur. It was the ascension of Jesus of Nazareth into heaven alongside God as Jesus Christ. It left the Apostles absolutely giddy and joyful. In waiting in Jerusalem, they spent their days at the Temple, praising God….awaiting what was next for them.
