Resurrection Sunday
5 april, AD 33
Luke 24
In Luke 24 we read the account of Jesus’ resurrection. It opens with a loving scene: a group of women that was to honor their Lord and friend. Luke is concise and simply provides the facts of what happened, which is why many of the details that the other gospel writers provide are not included here. There were women that went to the grave and they were the first to find the stone rolled away and the grave empty.
Surprise
The response of the women is surprise. In fact verse 4 explains that this empty tomb was raising a bit of doubt. And right at that moment of doubt, two angels appear with an unexpected question: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” I love this question.
The angels then simply declare that He is risen - just like he said that he would! “Don’t you remember?” And verse 8 tells us they did.
Unfortunately, the apostles don’t remember, because they chalk these ladies’ response up to wishful thinking. Luke does tell us that Peter ran to the grave to investigate, but he didn’t encounter any angels.
Appearance
Luke continues in this vein of doubt and unbelief and shifts gears to the longest story that he tells in his gospel account. And it is the story of two disciples that have decided there is no point in hanging around Jerusalem any longer. They start their trek home to Emmaus - about 11 km from Jerusalem. They are still talking about everything that has happened Jesus comes alongside them. The text emphasizes it is Jesus Himself. Luke informs the reader that their eyes were closed to his identity. They see him as a stranger, which is not uncommon in those days and would have been welcomed, since one preferred to travel in larger groups for safety.
And such a simple question: “Whatcha talkin’ about?” and “What’s up? You look sad.” Jesus meets them in the most common of ways. And they share their experiences of this past week. Their summary of events is interesting… He was a prophet, He was defeated, We had hoped, but He’s been dead three days… Some of our women say they saw him and something about angels, but none of the men have corroborated this.
And they’re done.
Jesus has listened to their whole story without interruption and when they’re done, He calls them foolish and slow of heart… and what does He do? He takes them to Scripture. Here’s the point… Jesus explains that they could have known… if they had known their Bibles. How did you all miss Isaiah 53?
Starting with Mozes - the law and the sacrifices and the picturing of a sacrifice to come. The Prophets, heralding destruction for breaking the law and the coming of One, who would be the anointed Savior.
And Jesus expounds the Scripture for them. Verse 32 explains that Jesus opened their eyes to the Scriptures. And when you do this, your heart will burn within you… that thrilling joy of understanding what God has revealed.
They arrive at their home and when they sit down to eat together and Jesus breaks the bread, their eyes are open to see that they’ve spent the entire afternoon and evening with Jesus! And they high-tail it back to Jerusalem. Faith restored.
Fulfillment
When Jesus appears to His disciples, he again takes them to Scripture, which I think it the point that Luke makes at the end of His gospel. The reader is encouraged to do the Berean thing… to go back to Scripture and seek to understand it. Start with Moses, walk through the Prophets and end up with Jesus.
Jesus had to live and He had to die. All of the Old Testament had prepared us for this. He was the perfect sacrifice - He had to die to satisfy sin’s penalty. But He didn’t have to stay dead and He wouldn’t, because he was the King and He will rule. And every knee will bow in heaven and earth and under the earth. Jesus rose again to prove that God accepted the sacrifice. His death was merely a bruised heel and Satan’s head is crushed.
