The Lord Has Risen Indeed! (EASTER)

Welcome

Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, on this blessed Easter Sunday!

As we gather together, albeit virtually, to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, let us be reminded of the incredible love and sacrifice that He demonstrated for us all.

Certainly we give thanks to God for each and every one of you, for your steadfast faith and commitment to our church and Sunday School. I pray that this Resurrection Sunday has been thus far a time of great joy and spiritual renewal, as we reflect on the power of Christ's resurrection and the hope that it brings to our lives.

We also want to give deference to the angel of Refreshing Center Pastor Kenny Campbell and his wife and wings, Dist. Missionary Gwendoly Campbell, as well we honor district, jurisdiction, and national leaders of our church, Superintendent Theroger White, Bishop Leroy Willard, Mother H. Keys, Chief Apostle J. Drew Sheared, and Sainted Mother Barber McCue Lewis.

Luke 24:13–21 (KJV 1900)

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Luke 24:28–35 (KJV 1900)

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Introduction

Luke 24 Overview

Luke 24 is one of the most significant chapters in the New Testament as it recounts the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event that is central to our Christian faith. This chapter is a powerful testimony to the triumph of life over death, and the victory of hope over despair it is also the final chapter in the Gospel of Luke and recounts the events following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is important to understand the cultural and historical context of this chapter in order to fully appreciate its significance.

At the time of Jesus, Palestine was under Roman rule, and the Jewish people were subject to Roman authority. The Passover festival was a time when Jews from all over the world would travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus took place during the Passover festival, and the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, was a Passover meal.

Following the crucifixion, Jesus' body was placed in a tomb, and the tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers.

At the beginning of the chapter, on the third day we are introduced to several key persons who play a crucial role in the events that unfold. Firstly, we encounter the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. These women had been witnesses to Jesus' crucifixion and were the first to visit His tomb after the Sabbath was over. They went to the tomb to anoint his body with spices. However, they found the tomb empty, and an angel appeared to them, telling them that Jesus had risen from the dead.

We also meet two disciples who were traveling to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem. One of these disciples is named Cleopas, and the identity of the other is not revealed. As they journeyed, they discussed the events that had taken place in Jerusalem, including the crucifixion of Jesus. As they journeyed, they were joined by a stranger who explained to them how everything that had happened was foretold in the scriptures. When they arrived in Emmaus and sat down to eat, the stranger revealed himself to be Jesus.

Later in the chapter, we encounter the risen Jesus Himself, who appears to the disciples and reveals His wounds to them. He then opens their minds to the scriptures, explaining how everything that had happened was foretold in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.

Through these encounters, Luke 24 offers a powerful message of hope and transformation. It shows how Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled ancient prophecies and provided the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Moreover, it shows how the disciples were transformed by their encounter with the risen Christ, and how they were able to go forth and spread the message of the gospel to the world. It is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the gospel and serves as a reminder of the hope and faith that Christians hold in the face of adversity.

The Passover Festival

The Passover Festival, also known as Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The preparation for Passover typically starts several weeks before the actual holiday. The first step in preparation for Passover is to clean the home thoroughly, especially in areas where leavened bread (chametz) may have been present. The family then disposes of any remaining chametz and obtains special foods, such as matzah (unleavened bread), wine, and bitter herbs, which are all symbolic of the Israelites' experience in Egypt. The Passover Festival takes place over eight days in the spring, typically in late March or early April. The first two nights of Passover are celebrated with the Passover Seder, a special meal that recounts the story of the Israelites' liberation. The rest of the holiday involves refraining from consuming chametz and attending special prayer services. The Passover Festival is held in Jewish communities worldwide, typically in synagogues or at home with family and friends. During the Seder, the family reads from a Haggadah, a text that retells the story of the exodus from Egypt. The story is told through a series of prayers, songs, and readings, and it is customary for children to ask questions and participate in the storytelling. Today, the Passover Festival is still widely practiced among Jewish communities worldwide, and it remains an important tradition that celebrates freedom, faith, and family. While the basic elements of Passover remain the same, there are some differences in the way the holiday is celebrated, depending on regional and cultural traditions. For example, some communities have their own unique foods and rituals, while others may incorporate modern interpretations and practices into the holiday. Nevertheless, the central message of Passover remains the same: to remember and celebrate the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and to pass on this message to future generations.

Luke 24 is closely aligned with the Passover Festival

Luke 24 is closely aligned with the Passover Festival in several ways. Firstly, the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection took place during the Passover Festival, and the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples, was a Passover meal. Secondly, the women who went to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body with spices were likely doing so as part of their Passover observance. In Jewish tradition, it is customary to anoint the dead with spices as a way of showing respect and honoring their memory. Thirdly, the encounter that two disciples had with Jesus on the road to Emmaus can be seen as a parallel to the Passover story. Just as the Israelites were liberated from slavery in Egypt, so too were the disciples liberated from their spiritual bondage by encountering the risen Christ. Finally, the message of hope and redemption that is at the heart of Luke 24 is a central theme of the Passover Festival. Passover is a holiday that celebrates freedom, faith, and family, and it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace and love. In conclusion, Luke 24 aligns with the Passover Festival in several ways, including its historical context, its symbolism, and its message of hope and redemption. Both Luke 24 and the Passover Festival are powerful testimonies to the transformative power of faith and the enduring hope that comes from a deep and abiding relationship with God.

Key Points

On The Road To Revelation (Luke 24:13-21)

How far was Emmaus from Jerusalem? Emmaus was Three score furlongs or seven miles.

A Conversation Worth Continuing (Luke 24:28-35)

What happened when Jesus sat with the two disciples for a meal? Jesus blessed the food, broke the bread, they recognized Jesus, and He vanishes from their sight.

Implications and Application

Understand the power of a relationship with the risen Christ.

Reflect on the resurrection of our Savior.

Develop a desire to share the message of the Gospel.

Conclusion

Parallels of Passion Week and Passover Festival

Passion Week and the Passover Festival share several parallels, as they both have historical and religious significance for Christians and Jews, respectively.

Firstly, both Passion Week and the Passover Festival commemorate important historical events. Passion Week recalls the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, while the Passover Festival commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Secondly, both events involve ritual meals that have symbolic meaning. The Last Supper, which was a Passover meal, is the foundation of the Christian ritual of Holy Communion, while the Passover Seder involves specific foods and items that are arranged in a particular order and hold symbolic meaning.

Thirdly, both events involve themes of sacrifice and redemption. In Passion Week, Jesus willingly sacrifices himself for the sake of humanity, while in the Passover Festival, the Israelites are redeemed from slavery through the sacrifice of the Passover lamb.

Finally, both events emphasize the importance of faith and the power of God's grace. Passion Week is a reminder of the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ, while the Passover Festival is a celebration of God's deliverance of the Israelites and a testament to the enduring power of God's love.

In conclusion, Passion Week and the Passover Festival share several parallels, as they both commemorate important historical events, involve ritual meals with symbolic meaning, emphasize sacrifice and redemption, and celebrate the importance of faith and the power of God's grace.