Tag: Luke 24
Resurrection world view!
Scripture reading for April 4: Luke 24
“As they were talking about these things, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts: See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of boiled fish, and He took it and ate it before them.” Luke 24:36-43
After seeing Jesus suffer and die on the cross, though from a distance, these disciples were still locked into their natural world view. Jesus had told them many times about His resurrection on the third day, but His death was too real. Now His grave was empty and these men were in hiding discussing what two of them experienced as the had walked the Emmaus road. As they talked, Jesus appeared before them, greeting them with ‘shalom!’ They were frightened and thought they saw a spirit. Jesus resolved their fears by inviting them to touch His hands and feet. To further dispel their doubts, Jesus asked for food and ate the fish that they gave Him.
When we believe in Jesus, our inner life is totally changed! We are given a new heart and the Holy Spirit as our down payment of eternal life. But we must continue to renew our minds and follow Jesus’ invitation to follow Him and know Him and learn a new world view that includes resurrection and eternal life. Jesus understands our human weaknesses and doubts and patiently works with us as we commit to follow. He wants to sit at table with us and allow us to know the reality of resurrection life. These disciples who began with fright, except for John, ended their earthly journeys by becoming martyrs rather than deny Christ and His resurrection.
As you read about Jesus’ resurrection and these eye-witnesses of that truth, are these accounts of the doubts and fears encouraging for you? How has Jesus revealed Himself to you personally to help you in your faith? How has understanding of resurrection life helped you to share your faith?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3;10-11) You alone are the Resurrection and Eternal Life! Amen.
Blessing and promise!
Scripture reading for April 5th: Luke 24
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 24:49-52 “”I am going to send you what My Father promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple praising God.”
Jesus spent forty days ministering to His disciples and strengthening their faith for the mission He had chosen and prepared them for. His final emphasis was to remind them to wait for the “Promise of the Father”. This was the gift of the Holy Spirit that would empower them to be effective witnesses in the hostile world. (Acts 1:8) Christ’s final words as He ascended to Heaven was to bless those faithful followers. He was now their new permanent High Priest and gave them the blessing! (Numbers 6:22-27) God was smiling on His people! They returned with great joy and continual worship as they faithfully waited!
Observations for over-comers: The blessing and the promise are both vital to our over-coming the world, flesh, and the devil. We must have all God freely gives us and receive it by faith! “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you in His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
He is Risen!
Scripture reading for April 6th: Luke 24
On the Sunday after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus on Friday, the women who were close to Jesus went to the tomb to anoint His body with spices. On arrival, they found the stone rolled away. When they entered, they did not find a body there. As they were pondering what might have happened, two men in shining clothes appeared to them and stood beside them. “. . .the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” “Then they remembered His words.” (Luke 24:5-7)
At least five women were at the tomb that Sunday morning and found it empty! They went and reported to the apostles, but were met with skepticism. The men who had witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus thought that the women were speaking nonsense! Peter did run to the tomb to check out their report and pondered what he found there–the stone rolled away and grave-clothes but no body!
Jesus appeared later that same day to two disciples who were walking on a road about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. They rushed back to Jerusalem and were telling the other apostles about their encounter when Jesus appeared saying, “Peace be with you.” “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (Luke 24:36-39) Understanding the mystery of the resurrection was difficult even for those close to Him!