Welcome to the final chapter of Luke. It’s Resurrection Day! Such good stories. If you’re not here yet in your study, go here first. Before we start, let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, thank You for these words. Thank You for being alive. Thank You for loving, guiding, leading, working and providing everything I need for writing this study. Lead on, Lord. For Your glory.
Please read Luke 24:1-7
The Resurrection
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women went to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared [to finish anointing the body]. 2 And they found the [large, circular] stone rolled back from the tomb, 3 but when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed and wondering about this, suddenly, two men in dazzling clothing stood near them; 5 and as the women were terrified and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living One among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise [from death to life].”
Listen to this…
He’s alive, He’s alive, Hallelujah He’s alive!
Give Him praise, Lift Him High, Hallelujah He’s alive!
Please read Luke 24:8-12
8 And they remembered His words, 9 and after returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven [apostles] and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna [the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward] and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 But their report seemed to them like idle talk and nonsense, and they would not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping [at the small entrance] and looking in, he saw only the linen [a]wrappings; and he went away, wondering about what had happened.
This story is in three of the four gospels. Don’t let the differences trip you up. It’s all true, but memory on who went or did what isn’t really the important part of the story. The important part is He is Alive!
Please read Luke 24:13-24
The Road to Emmaus
13 And then, that very day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, which was about [b]seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing it, Jesus Himself came up and began walking with them. 16 But their eyes were [miraculously] prevented from recognizing Him. 17 Then Jesus asked them, “What are you discussing with one another as you walk along?” And they stood still, looking brokenhearted. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, “Are you the only stranger visiting Jerusalem who is unaware of the things which have happened here in these [recent] days?” 19 He asked, “What things?” And they replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel and set our nation free. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 And also some of the women among us shocked us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and they did not find His body. Then they came back, saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive! 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women had said, but they did not see Him.”
Don’t you love His interest? As if He didn’t already know, but oh how patient He is to listen to their explanation. Do you think he must have smiled when they got to the story about the women telling the disciples “He’s alive!” See if you can imagine His physical response to this story.
Please read Luke 24:25-27
25 Then Jesus said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to trust and believe in everything that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and [only then to] enter His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and [throughout] all the [writings of the] prophets, He explained and interpreted for them the things referring to Himself [found] in all the Scriptures.
Oh how I wish I could have heard all these explanations. But alas, He will still help us understand we have only to read the the Law and the Prophets. I hope you do.
Please read Luke 24:28-31
28 Then they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as if He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him [not to go on], saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening, and the day has just about ended.” So He went inside to stay with them. 30 And it happened that as He reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
When all is made new, it’s going to be so much fun. Yet wait for it. There is more to this story.
Please read Luke 24:32-35
32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking with us on the road and opening the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up that very hour and went back to Jerusalem, and found the eleven [apostles] gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter]!” 35 They began describing in detail what had happened on the road, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.
Yes, when He helps us understand, He can still make our hearts burn within us. It’s such a wonderful and exciting feeling.
Please read Luke 24:36-42
Other Appearances
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus Himself [suddenly] stood among them and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 And He said, “Why are you troubled, and why are doubts rising in your hearts? 39 Look at [the marks in] My hands and My feet, [and see] that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 After saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still did not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.
Peace be to you. He still says that. Peace be to you.
Please read Luke 24:44-45
44 Then He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, everything which has been written about Me in the [c]Law of Moses and the [writings of the] Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds to [help them] understand the Scriptures,
He did that to them too, explain the Scriptures. If He did it once, He can do it again, see, all you have to do is ask and He will help you understand too.
Please read Luke 24:46-49
46 and said, “And so it is written, that the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance [necessary] for forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Listen carefully: I am sending the Promise of My Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you; but you are to remain in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed (fully equipped) with power from on high.”
What a promise. What a total change in the world has been wrought by the One who died, rose and lives forever. Trust Him.
Please read Luke 24:50-53
The Ascension
50 Then He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy [fully understanding that He lives and that He is the Son of God]; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing and praising God.
Rewrite the bracketed explanation… [fully …]
Yes, He lives and yes, He is the Son of God.
Footnotes
Luke 24:12 See note John 20:5.
Luke 24:13 Lit sixty stadia, a Roman measurement.
Luke 24:44 I.e. the entire Old Testament.