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Luke 22-24
Resurrection, Revelation,
and Reason
Psalm 119:137-144 Righteous is the Word
137.TZADDI “You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.138.You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.139.My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.140.Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.141.I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.142.Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.143.Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.144.Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live."
Observation
119:137-144.God is righteous and as a result His words are too. They are fully tried, true, and trustworthy, because they come from an infinitely righteous God. Therefore the psalmist loves them, and delights in them especially in the midst of difficulty from enemies who ignore God's word. Knowing the benefit of following God's words, he asks for insight so He can obey them, be delivered, and live.
Application
Since our righteous God's commands are tried and true, we can trust them completely, as we do them.
Prayer
Righteous God, thanks for communicating Your truth, so I can trust and do it, and truly live. Amen.
Proverbs 29:4-6 Justice and Righteousness Cause Rejoicing
4.“The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down.5.A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.6.An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad.Observations
29:4.The rule of just law is the basis of a stable government, economic prosperity, and quality of life. Those who sellout the public interest for personal gain (bribe by special interests) are an abomination to man and God. Civilizations prosper by leaders who serve the people rather than themselves. See “Let's Play Civilization”.
29:5.
If you have a Biblical basis for self-worth (you're doing what is pleasing in God's sight and you know He's pleased with you) you are immune to being ensnared by flattery. Non-Christlike folks only build up others to get something from them.
29:6.
Sin snares those who indulge in it, holding them captive until they perish. Not fun. Righteousness releases people from sin, so they can rejoice and sing, the preferable choice. Righteousness has both positional and practical meanings, here it is something to be sought instead of sin.
1Tim 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 2Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Application
What do you pursue or chase after? That will be what you get.Prayer
God, may I join with like-hearted saints in seeking to own the characteristics which will reflect Christ and make me useful in Your service Amen.
Luke 22-24 Resurrection, Revelation, and Reason
The final chapters of Luke emphasize the importance of knowing Jesus as revealed in the Scriptures, not just from experience (or hearsay). The difficulty of believing what doesn't match our experience shows up a number of times, and highlights the importance of arranging our perceptions and paradigms to match truth (not the other way around). Luke adds a number of unique phrases and a couple of accounts not in Matthew and Mark (the role of Satan, the Lord's Supper, the Road to Emmaus, etc.) which are discussed in the comments.
Luke 22 The Night He Was Betrayed
1.Now the feast of unleavened bread, which is called the Passover, drew near.2.The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.3.Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered with the twelve.4.He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might betray him to them.5.They were glad, and agreed to give him money.6.He consented, and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of the multitude.7.The day of unleavened bread came, on which the Passover must be sacrificed.8.He sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat."9.They said to him, "Where do you want us to prepare?"10.He said to them, "Behold, when you have entered into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters.11.Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?"’12.He will show you a large, furnished upper room. Make preparations there."13.They went, found things as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.14.When the hour had come, he sat down with the twelve apostles.15.He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer,16.for I tell you, I will no longer by any means eat of it until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God."17.He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves,18.for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God comes."19.He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."20.Likewise, he took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant/testament in my blood, which is poured out for you.21.But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.22.The Son of Man indeed goes, as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!"23.They began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.24.There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.25.He said to them, "The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’26.But not so with you. But one who is the greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves.27.For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am in the midst of you as one who serves.28.But you are those who have continued with me in my trials.29.I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me,30.that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."31.The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,32.but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."33.He said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!"34.He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today until you deny that you know me three times."35.He said to them, "When I sent you out without purse, and wallet, and shoes, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing."36.Then he said to them, "But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.37.For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me has an end."38.They said, "Lord, behold, here are two swords." He said to them, "That is enough."39.He came out, and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.40.When he was at the place, he said to them, "Pray that you don’t enter into temptation."41.He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed,42.saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."43.An angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him.44.Being in agony he prayed more earnestly. His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.45.When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping because of grief,46.and said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."47.While he was still speaking, behold, a multitude, and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him.48.But Jesus said to him, "Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?"49.When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?"50.A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.51.But Jesus answered, "Let me at least do this"—and he touched his ear, and healed him.52.Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?53.When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."
54.They seized him, and led him away, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed from a distance.55.When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard, and had sat down together, Peter sat among them.56.A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him."57.He denied Jesus, saying, "Woman, I don’t know him."58.After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You also are one of them!" But Peter answered, "Man, I am not!"59.After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!"60.But Peter said, "Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!" Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed.61.The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, "Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times."62.He went out, and wept bitterly.63.The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him64.Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, "Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?"65.They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.66.As soon as it was day, the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away into their council, saying,67."If you are the Christ, tell us." But he said to them, "If I tell you, you won’t believe,68.and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go.69.From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."70.They all said, "Are you then the Son of God?" He said to them, "You say it, because I am."71.They said, "Why do we need any more witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!"
Observations
22:1-13.Judas agrees to betray Jesus, and the disciples prepare the Passover (see comments on Matthew 26). Nothing new here except for the comment that Satan entered Judas. This occurs after Judas had expressed his greed over the anointing of Jesus with the precious perfume. Despite Jesus' teaching on the proper perspectives on wealth, Judas didn't come to the light, but remained on the dark side, opening an opportunity for Satan to influence and possess him. Satan still takes many believers captive to do his will, who aren't committed to doing God's will (2Tim 2:20-26 note context).
22:14-23.
Luke's account of the Last Supper in the Upper Room gives us some new information compared to Matthew 26 and Mark 14 (do see comments there if you haven't already done so, since I won't repeat them all here).
- The first thing Sherlock would notice is that there are two cups, and one precedes the bread. This is because they are having a Passover Seder which consisted of four cups (see Passover and the Lord's Supper). The first cup is mostly likely the second of the four mentioned in the outline, 'the Cup of Praise;” that would make the one after the bread, which Matthew and Mark describe, “the Cup of Redemption;” and the cup which Jesus refrained from drinking, “the Cup of Acceptance,” since God would not accept His people until they accepted Him at Christ's return.
- The next piece of information to notice is that here, at the end of Jesus' ministry, the “Kingdom which comes from God” is still future (cf comments on Luke 17:21); Jesus won't celebrate the Passover until it is fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom (Ezek 45:21), which is when the “Kingdom which comes from God,” will actually come. This could be one of the reasons why Jesus refused wine while on the cross.
- “Do this in memory of me” are some of the most famous words in Christendom. They indicate that the Lord's Supper is a memorial. The word is only used here, in the parallel passages in 1Corinthians 11, and in Hebrews 10:3 where the sacrifices serve as a reminder of sins (nothing efficacious involved). The verb means “to remember again” and is only found in these verses which substantiate the memorial meaning (Mr 11:21; 14:72; 1Cor 4:17; 2Cor 7:15; 2Tim 1:6; Heb 10:32).
- Exodus 12 institutes the Passover as a commemoration or memorial of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. It was not a sacrifice that delivered them, but God's working. All future Passovers, including those in the Millennial Kingdom, look back on that event; they don't literally recreate it, but recall it to mind. The death (and blood) of Passover lamb protected the first-born of the Israelites from the wrath that would be poured out on Egypt. Christ's death accomplishes a similar thing for NT believers, which the Lord's Supper commemorates. A history of Israel in the OT reveals that participation in the Passover meal didn't spare them from judgment (although at times their obedience in observing it, did). The same could be said for NT believers.
- Jesus doesn't tell them to “take and eat,” but just to share it among themselves, and do it in memory of Him. He says that the bread is His body, given for them. Most would recognize this as a figure of speech. Just as the piece of bread in the Passover meal represented the Lamb (see comments on Mark) so the bread represented Jesus in His death; it didn't become His DNA any more than the bread became lamb chops. If you want to be a wooden literalist (someone who believes that Jesus became a piece of wood hanging on two hinges when He said “I am the door” -Jn 10:7-9) then the cup becomes Christ's blood, not the wine in it (actually the cup would have to become a new covenant, whatever that's made of).
- The blood, representing the death of Christ, allows the will/testament, of the one who died, to go into effect, the terms of which specify who gets what and when, or under what conditions. For the conditions of the New Covenant, see comments on Jeremiah 31:31.
We'll revisit the topic in 1Corinthians 11. John records the meal and conversation/discourse in the Upper Room, but not the bread and wine part.
22:24-30.
Jesus provides a model of one who is greater because of His humble service of the needs of others. As a reward, He confers on them a kingdom, so they will eat and drink with Him in His Millennial Kingdom, and would rule the twelve tribes of Israel. In light of the dozens of promises of the Messiah ruling over a regathered Israel in the literal land of Israel, this is a good time to be literal.
22:31-38.
The prediction of Pebble Pete's denial has the unique reference to Satan's request to put him in a sieve and shake him. Jesus said He prayed that Peter's faith wouldn't fail, but it would get dented. After he turned back (from denying Christ), Jesus wanted him to strengthen his brothers (whose faith in God's ability to protect them also took a hit). Luke also adds the unique material about lacking nothing the first time Jesus sent them out, even though they took no provisions. Things would change, and even a sword would be necessary for defense.
22:39-53.
Luke's account in the Garden adds the angel strengthening, the sweat like blood, indicating extreme agony, and Jesus healing the severed ear. Even this miracle didn't deter the establishment from their dark deeds. Note Satan's hoof print in the “power of darkness” saying. See comments on Matthew 26, especially for Jesus' Groaning in the Garden. Jesus had warned them in the previous chapters of the importance of watching and praying, and the failure to do that resulted in succumbing to temptation, as the next section indicates.
22:54-62.
Luke adds that Jesus could see Peter's denials. See Matthew 26 for comments.
22:63-71.
As they abuse and question Jesus, they ask if He is the Christ/Messiah. He says that they won't believe it if He tells them (because they really only wanted an accusation to eliminate Him). He mentions that they will see Him seated at the right hand of God, in the position of ruler and judge. They ask if He is the Son of God, and He acknowledges that they have spoken the truth. Of course they use that as a basis for their condemnation of Him.
Application
It's not just enough to want to do God's will, we must ingrain into our soul the correct responses to temptation, or we will succumb to it. See Reprogramming Your Robot in TOYL and on Truthbase.net for help with spiritual Kung-fu.
Prayer
Lord, help me develop the defenses necessary to be loyal to You when the tempter attacks; help me turn back to You immediately whenever I fail. Thanks for your power and mercy. Amen.
Luke 23 The Just Suffered for the Unjust
1.The whole company of them rose up and brought him before Pilate.2.They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting the nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king."3.Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "So you say."4.Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."5.But they insisted, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place."6.But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean.7.When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.8.Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him.9.He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers.10.The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.11.Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate.12.Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.13.Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,14.and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.15.Neither has Herod, for I sent you to him, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him.16.I will therefore chastise him and release him."
17.Now he had to release one prisoner to them at the feast.18.But they all cried out together, saying, "Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!"—19.one who was thrown into prison for a certain revolt in the city, and for murder.20.Then Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus,21.but they shouted, saying, "Crucify! Crucify him!"22.He said to them the third time, "Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him."23.But they were urgent with loud voices, asking that he might be crucified. Their voices and the voices of the chief priests prevailed.24.Pilate decreed that what they asked for should be done.25.He released him who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus up to their will.
26.When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.27.A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.28.But Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.29.For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’30.Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’31.For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?"32.There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death.33.When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.34.Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing. "Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.35.The people stood watching. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!"36.The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,37.and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"38.An inscription was also written over him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS."39.One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!"40.But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?41.And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong."42.He said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."43.Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."44.It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.45.The sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.46.Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Having said this, he breathed his last.47.When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous man."48.All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts.49.All his acquaintances, and the women who followed with him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.50.Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man51.(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:52.this man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.53.He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid.54.It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near.55.The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid.56.They returned, and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Observations
23:1-25.Luke makes it clear that Jesus was innocent, from the lies His accusers uttered to refusal of both Herod to condemn Him, and Pilate's declarations that He was innocent. But evil people don't want to be confused with the truth, so mob rule prevailed over good government, and a murderer was released and the Messiah was crucified. See the accounts in Matthew 27 for comments on the mockery of a trial, and the mocking of Jesus.
23:26-43.
Luke alone records Jesus' interchange with the women and the criminals, the trilingual nature of the inscription, and Jesus' request for the Father to forgive them. The women shouldn't mourn for Him, but for the destruction that would come upon Jerusalem for their rejection. If this is the unjust state of affairs now (green tree) what will happen in the future (dry tree). It would be better to have the mountains fall on them and end their misery. The “righteous” criminal acknowledges the justice of his sentence for his sins, and the Messiahship of Jesus. He expresses a faith in Christ's coming Kingdom, and Jesus assures him that he will be with Him that day in Paradise (What! No Baptism?). The two other occurrences of Paradise (2Cor 12:4; Rev 2:7), a Persian word for an enclosed garden, indicate that it is a wonderful place that is up in the heavens, not under the earth. Apparently Jesus' spirit went directly to heaven (23:46), while His body stayed on earth for the prophesied three days (part of a day equals a day). Jesus' request that the Father forgive those who did not know what they were doing, would be more appropriately applied to the Roman soldiers, than those who deliberately plotted and lied to bring about His death. It occurs in-between the act of crucifying and that of casting lots for His garments, both acts were done only by the soldiers. The establishment was very aware of what they were doing in removing a threat to their temporal power. They might not have understood that they were doing the will of the power of darkness (22:53).
23:44-56. See comments on the parallel accounts in Matthew 27 and Mark 15. Luke doesn't record Jesus quoting Psalm 22, but does add His verbal commitment of His spirit to the Father. In all three synoptic accounts, the centurion testifies to the righteous identity of the Son of God. Luke adds that the multitudes went home mourning; perhaps the darkness and torn temple curtain had some influence on them.
Luke tells us that Joseph of Arimathaea, was a good and righteous man, and had not consented to Jesus' death, even though He was a member of the counsel. He was waiting for the Kingdom which God had promised in the OT (and up until this point was a secret disciple of Jesus -Jn 19:38). He asked Pilate for the body and put it in his own tomb (Mt 27:60) appropriate for a Man who had died on his behalf. John tells us that Nicodemus also helped, supplying burial spices.
Application
Like the criminal on the cross, it's never too late to acknowledge sin and express faith in God's revelation; God graciously pardons on the basis of Christ's death.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for following the Father's will and paying the penalty for my sin; may I be willing to pay the same cost to fulfill the Father's will for my life. Amen.
Luke 24 Resurrection, Revelation, and Reason
1.But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared.2.They found the stone rolled away from the tomb.3.They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus' body.4.It happened, while they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.5.Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth. They said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?6.He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee,7.saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again?"8.They remembered his words,9.returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.10.Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles.11.These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them.12.But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.13.Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.14.They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened.15.It happened, while they talked and questioned together, that Jesus himself came near, and went with them.16.But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.17.He said to them, "What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?"18.One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?"19.He said to them, "What things?" They said to him, "The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people;20.and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.21.But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.22.Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb;23.and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.24.Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him."25.He said to them, "Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!26.Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?"27.Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28.They drew near to the village, where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.29.They urged him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over." He went in to stay with them.30.It happened, that when he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave to them.31.Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished out of their sight.32.They said one to another, "Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?"33.They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them,34.saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"35.They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.36.As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you."37.But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.38.He said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts?39.See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have."40.When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.41.While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"42.They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.43.He took them, and ate in front of them.44.He said to them, "This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled."45.Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.46.He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,47.and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48.You are witnesses of these things.49.Behold, I send forth the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high."50.He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.51.It happened, while he blessed them, that he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven.52.They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,53.and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Observations
24:1-24.The faithful women who had supported Jesus in His ministry (8:2-3) discover the empty tomb. One of the angels gently reproves them for seeking the living among the dead, and reminds them of Jesus' words. They rush to tell the disciples, who don't believe them (just like Jesus said about the establishment -22:67). Remember how they had trouble shifting their paradigm, crafted from experience, to accommodate Revelation, and arrive at the truth (comments on 18:34)? Peter runs to check things out, sees the facts, and the linen lying there (obviously not the work of robbers or body snatchers) and goes home wondering. John tell us that he himself saw the same evidence and believed (Jn 20:8). I wonder if the guilt from Peter's denial clouded his thinking.
24:13-35.
Jesus' encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus occupies more space than does His appearance to the eleven (sans Judas). As good disciples do, they were talking about Jesus as they walked. Jesus prevents them from recognizing Him so He can build the revelational basis of their understanding. They failed to rearrange their paradigm based upon the Scriptures. Jesus rebukes them for being slow of heart to believe in all the prophets have spoken. It wasn't just a matter of mind, but of the will believing the facts, because the facts conflicted with their experience and prejudices. They had hope that Jesus would redeem the nation (21:28) from political oppression. Jesus shows them that the OT taught that Jesus would have to suffer first, before He entered/possessed His glory. He gave them a quick overview of Messianic prophecy to establish the Biblical basis for understanding the facts. He didn't want their faith to be based just upon experience, because perceptual filters are frequently faulty (see sidebar, “How do you know what's true?”). Accepting their hospitality, He took bread, blessed, broke bread with them. Then they recognized Him, as they had seen that done before. They might also have been at the Passover or the miraculous feedings of the multitudes. They hurried to tell the apostles who mention that Jesus had appeared to Simon (the only place this is recorded). Perhaps Simon hadn't told them for the same reasons he had trouble believing.
24:36-53.
As Cleopas and friend relate what happened, Jesus Himself appears and pronounces peace upon them (cf. 2:14). He convinces them that He is real, and then builds the revelational basis for their belief in Him, from the Scriptures (opening their minds/causing them to understand). All things concerning the Messiah must be fulfilled, which would include the future promises of His Kingdom and glory (1Pt 1:11). None of those would be left unfulfilled, but just as He had to suffer and die, so He would judge and rule over a regathered Israel, in Jerusalem (Millennial Kingdom).
Jesus then gives them the Lucan Commission, preaching repentance and remission of sins to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem (see comments on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20). However, Jesus tells them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit whom He would send (Acts 2), and relates that to being clothed with power from on high (Holy Spirit = power). Leading them out of the city, He blesses them and is taken up to heaven. In joy they returned to Jerusalem blessing God.
Application
Jesus wants people to understand Him from the Scriptures, not just experience. Those who don't grasp revelation and reason rarely grasp the truth.
Prayer
Lord thanks that You are comprehensible and that belief in You is more reasonable than unbelief; help me believe You for all that has been revealed and promised, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in my life and in those around me. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God allows His choicest servants to suffer loss (Jesus) and defeat (Peter), but does so to accomplish greater purposes. He accepted Christ death as the means of reconciling man to Himself, as symbolized by the ripping of the curtain separating man and God, from top to bottom.
Build-a-Jesus: Jesus submits to injustice and deliberately lays down His life to accomplish the Father's will. He doesn't get bitter at ill-treatment (heals the ear and asks the Father to forgive those who crucify Him). He will come back to fulfill all that was written about the Messiah in the OT, none of it will pass away. He gives instruction to the disciples to equip them for the ministry they will have in the future, and promises to send the Holy Spirit of power.
Us in a nutshell: The best of intentions can fail us. Unless we have built our lives upon the truth and ingrained that truth into the fabric of our souls (mind/will/emotions), we will stumble. But failure isn't final, unless we quit. We have difficulty believing Jesus when we've sinned, but it's good to know He's praying for us and will use us if we return to following Him. Faithful servants will party with Jesus for a thousand years and beyond.