The Disciples Meet the Risen Christ
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 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.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of 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 their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we looked together at the account of Jesus appearing to the two disciples on the road between Jerusalem and the town of Emmaus. That was indeed a glorious encounter that these two disciples had with the risen Christ. You’ll recall that they were filled with joy and commented to one another that their hearts had surely burned within them as Jesus had been explaining the Scriptures to them.
Having come to the realization that it was actually Jesus that had been with them, you will recall that they got up immediately and made the return trip back to Jerusalem and came to the place with the disciples had gathered.
As they were entering the place where the disciples had gathered, they heard the reports that Peter had witnessed the risen Christ. They then had their own opportunity to speak to the disciples that were gathered about their own encounter with the risen Christ.
We ended off last week just with that thought that the buzz of excitement among the disciples must’ve been growing. Their hearts were beginning to think through and reprocess what was happening here.
This does not mean that they were fully convinced of the fact that Jesus had truly risen from the dead. In fact we see from our text this morning that they actually were not convinced of it. But there was some air of excitement among them at the possibility. There was an excitement in the midst. That is only about to increase and grow as we find this morning another appearance of Jesus Christ, this time in the midst of this gathered group of disciples.
Notice firstly from our passage, Christ’s appearance..
1 Christ’s Appearance (vv.36-40)
1 Christ’s Appearance (vv.36-40)
The context, as I’ve said, is that the disciples were gathered together in a particular home in Jerusalem.
The two disciples from the Emmaus road are in the process of explaining to the disciples what had happened. Possibly they were recounting some of the teaching that Jesus himself had conveyed to them. But we read in v.36...
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
We find the appearance of Jesus is just as sudden as his disappearance from the disciples when he was with them in Emmaus. There is no indication from this verse that it came in via any normal route. Rather, he simply appeared within their midst. It was an unexpected and unannounced arrival. In John 20:19 says...
Note: DOORS LOCKED!!
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
As we consider this encounter along with the time when Jesus disappeared from the presence of the disciples at Emmaus, we find that Jesus was able to do things in a resurrection body that he did not do or could not do with his usual physical body. In this present circumstance, is not bound and restricted as was physically prior to his crucifixion and resurrection.
As we see this in our text, we need to be reminded and encouraged by the fact that we too, as Christians, will likewise receive resurrection bodies that are radically different from our present physical bodies.
We know what it’s like to live in a body of weakness. The older you get, the more you feel the constraints and the weaknesses of these physical bodies in this life. The aches and pains increase with time. The physical limitations grow. Our physical bodies wear out.
But the reality is that because Christ has been raised, we too will be raised, and will receive new bodies that are not physically constrained as are our present bodies. Paul gives us a glimpse into the difference between the bodies of this present life, and the bodies of the resurrection....
39 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
We certainly don’t know the details of how that heavenly body will look for us and what will be able to do or not do, but we do note that the body of the resurrection will be glorious. We do know that will be without all these imperfections of the current earthly bodies. There is certainly something we look forward to.
Coming back to our text, as Jesus stands now in the presence of his disciples in this gathered room, notice the words that he speaks to them: “Peace be with you.”
If you were at church on Sunday evening, you will recall that PJ mentioned the pronouncement of the blessings that came from Paul to Titus.
PJ made mention of the fact that these were not idle words. It was not just a simple old greeting. The blessing that was pronounced was not without effect, because God was the one that would carry out the blessing spoken. He would bring it to pass. In other words this is not merely a kind word to say, but one that has no real consequence or effect upon the person to whom it is said.
The same should be said here of Jesus as he makes his pronouncement or the statement of peace. There is a very real sense in which Christ would be granting peace to them in the context of what was unfolding. In fact, in light of the work that is been accomplished on the cross through Jesus Christ, Jesus was able to grant peace in a very peculiar sense.
Jesus’ very death and resurrection was the means by which these disciples would obtain peace. This peace would be a deep sense of ultimate peace between them and God. It would be a peace that, because of the peace brought between them and God, would also bring about a peace between them and their neighbour, even those from other ethnicities. It would further be a peace of heart, a peace of mind, resting in the knowledge of God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness towards them, and the riches of His kindness.
When Jesus proclaimed, “Peace be to you,” it was a blessing of genuine and eternal peace!
In Philippians 4:7 we read that this peace comes from God through Christ…
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
In Ephesians 2:14-18, we find both the horizontal dimension, and the vertical dimension mentioned.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
When Christ said to his disciples, “peace be with you”, He was declaring to them that the time was upon them whereby a peace between them and God, and thus them and their fellow men, was brought about through the work on the cross.
And friends, that is the peace that is available to the Christian. It is a genuine peace that begins with a heart and mind transformed by the Gospel. It is a peace of heart within us because our joy and contentment and satisfaction is now found in knowing God through Christ. It is an enduring peace.
We see the response of the disciples in verse thirty-seven
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
If we consider that in John’s Gospel the same encounter includes the detail that the door had been locked when Jesus appeared in the midst, we can get something of an appreciation for why it was that they were startled and frightened. Jesus was suddenly in their presence. One moment not there, the next moment, standing with them!
In light of this, you can imagine why they were startled, and believed that they were seeing a ghost, rather than a real person.
But the truth was, Jesus stood there in their presence in a physical body.
Once again, we need to recognize that Jesus mildly rebukes them for the lack of faith. In a sense it’s as if they ought to have anticipated what was taking place. What certainly is true is the fact that they did not at this stage believe will comprehend [at least not fully] that Jesus was raised from the dead. We will find something of the nature of the rebuke against the disciples following along the lines of not recognizing and identifying that Jesus would rise from the dead.
As we continue in our text, we find the words of Jesus to his disciples in light of their state of alarm and fright.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 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.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
The alarm and shock of the disciples was evident on their faces. He knew what they were thinking. So begins by asking these questions… “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts rise in your minds?”
However, he doesn’t simply leave it at the asking of questions. Rather, he calls them to look at his hands and his feet.
I think it’s clearly implied here that the reader of Luke’s Gospel would have their own minds go to the crucifixion and what took place. Jesus was demonstrating to His disciples two things.
Firstly, He was demonstrating to His disciples that it was Him, Jesus that had been crucified, and not some other person. Through pointing out what his hands and feet and endured during the course of his sufferings, they had a measure of certainty that this was Jesus.
Further to this, He was demonstrating to them through this that He was indeed there in the flesh. He was not merely a spirit being, but a flesh and blood person. He was now alive and in their presence!
But we notice that Christ doesn’t even merely leave things at this point. He goes on to give a request to his disciples that will further demonstrate to them that he is not simply a ghost or Spirit.
2 Christ’s Request (vv.41-43)
2 Christ’s Request (vv.41-43)
In verses 41-43 we read:
41 And while they still did not believe it because of 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 their presence.
We see in verse 41 that these disciples still did not believe because of joy and amazement. There seems to be some conflicted emotions and feelings within themselves as they witness what is happening here. On the one hand, there is joy and amazement. To some extent there is at least some recognition that Jesus is here before them.
It was him standing in their presence. However, we also see that they did not believe. And according to our text, it is because of this joy and amazement. This is the proverbial, “it’s too good to be true.” Just in their minds, it was an impossibility that Jesus was now standing here.
It’s because of this that Jesus now asks if they have anything there to eat. What Jesus is doing is that he’s giving additional evidence to them that this is in fact a resurrected, bodily appearance before them, rather than a mere spirit. Ghosts, spirits and disembodied souls do not eat.
So they give him a piece of fish and he takes it and he begins to eat in their presence. The evidence was now laid before them even further: this was a flesh and blood human being in their presence.
In Acts 10:41, the disciples actually make mention of the fact that they had eaten and drunk with the resurrected Saviour.
41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
It is these words and actions of Jesus that will now be used to lead to the place where the eyes of the disciples will eventually be opened. Jesus will use these events as precursors and as instruments to take the disciples to the point where their eyes will actually be opened by him in order to recognize him as the risen Lord.
3 Christ’s Unveiling (vv.44-47)
3 Christ’s Unveiling (vv.44-47)
As we continue in our text, we find that Christ uses this moment to open the eyes of the disciples to see and understand what had been told to them when he was still with them in the world.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Everything must be fulfilled, says Jesus.
In one sense, this was a broad and sweeping comment on the fact that it was important that every single prophecy and word in Scripture about Jesus needed to be fulfilled.
We see that Christ refers here to the entire Old Testament. Similar to what we saw when Jesus was talking to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, wherein he showed them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27) Jesus now tells the disciples that everything must be fulfilled, written in the Scriptures.
He uses three terms to convey all the Scriptures…
The Law of Moses - that’s the first five books.
The Prophets - that’s all of the former prophets (Joshua through 2 kings) and the “latter prophets” - the major and the minor prophets.
He then includes the Psalms - probably more broadly referring to the wisdom literature, or the writings.
The fact is, all of these writings were looking forward to Christ. They were looking forward to the coming Messiah.
We think about Matthew’s Gospel, and how frequently Matthew referred to the Old Testament in order to prove to His Jewish audience that Jesus was indeed the Christ. This was His goal and aim. He wanted to ensure that the Jews had clear evidence that the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms were pointing forward to this man, Jesus Christ.
What Jesus is doing now with His disciples is that He is reminding them that while He was walking with them through His ministry life, He was actually pointing them to these truths. “This is what I told you when I was still with you.”
The disciples had been walking with Christ as He taught them regularly. They had been under His teaching, and in this verse Christ is telling His disciples that he had been teaching them how the Scriptures of the Old Testament pointed to Him, and were to be fulfilled by Him.
At least to some extent, they had seen and understood this. That is why, while Christ was alive and walking with them, they had professed him to be the Messiah.
But beyond this, there is the narrower application that we also considered previously: that “everything” would necessarily include the fact of Christ’s suffering. The fact that He had to endure this suffering as the Messiah. And this was where the stumbling block really was for the disciples.
We considered last week that the disciples had not factored this into their equation of the Messiah that God had promised. Christ had then showed the two disciples on the Emmaus Road, from the Scriptures, why this needed to happen. He does the same here. He tells them that they are to understand that “everything”, including the suffering that took place, needed to happen.
As I’ve said, up until this point, the eyes of the disciples were still actually closed to the truths and realities. However, Christ now does the work of opening their minds…
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
This is a powerful verse! This was not a matter of them not knowing the Scriptures or about what God’s word said. They would have at least been reasonably well versed in the Scriptures of the Old Testament. They would’ve had a measure of their own understanding of the expectation of the Messiah. They would’ve been those with their own perspectives and views on who this Messiah would be, how this Messiah would look, and what this Messiah would come into the world to do. All of these views and perspectives would have been shaped by the Old Testament Scriptures. And to a large extent, they had correct views.
The fact that they recognised Jesus as the Messiah, and Peter professed Jesus to be the Christ, demonstrates that they had some insight into these things.
The reality was, however, that their view and perspective from the Scriptures was not fully correct. We actually find that they had a distorted understanding of the Scriptures. That which they were anticipating, ultimately, was not that which the Scriptures truly revealed.
In this moment, Jesus opens their eyes in order that they may understand the Scriptures. In other words, their understanding of that Scripture which they had learned through all their lives, and particularly through the course of Christ’s ministry, was radically altered to be brought into conformity with that which was actually true of the word of God.
I think that fundamentally, Jesus was changing their understanding and concept of the purpose and work for which the Messiah had come. He was transforming their thoughts to recognise the work of the Messiah to deliver sinners, and to bring them to a place of reconciliation with God.
There are a couple of points of application that are important for us to take note of at this point. One of those points of application is that we need to be careful to be patient with ourselves and with others in terms of their own understanding of the Scriptures.
It may be that we or others have studied the Scripture and know a fair deal of the Scriptures, and yet our understanding is not fully aligned with the truth of God.
We need only to look at the abuses of the Scripture over the course of history to see that reality. But it’s not only the abuses of the Scripture through the course of history and in our own day that are relevant here. Rather, it may be that we have a deficient understanding of certain texts or passages until such time as God truly opens our eyes to see that.
With that said, however, we also need to keep in mind that we are living in age where Christ has given us his Holy Spirit in order to open our spiritual eyes to see the truth of the word.
I’m not suggesting here that we should downplay the importance of an accurate understanding. I’m also not suggesting that we should welcome heretical teachers and teachings because we think that God will open their eyes in the right moment. Not at all!!
But we do live with a measure of tolerance towards others, particularly on the doctrinal matters of secondary or tertiary importance, and appreciate the fact that God is the one that ultimately gives us spiritual insight and understanding. We are absolutely reliant upon Him!
Christ by his Spirit opens our eyes to give us the understanding and insight into truth from the Word. Both for salvation (the truths and understanding needed for that) and for growth in the faith, we need to be continually keep in mind that we are dependent upon Christ and His Spirit. That ought to lead us to a place of humility.
Included in that humility is the understanding that there are those times and those points where our own understanding will be finite and limited, and we we need to truly live in humble dependence upon God to guide us and lead us, without becoming divisive as those who claim to love Christ.
Returning to our text, Jesus goes on to clarify the situation surrounding his death on the cross.
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,
Once again Christ points his disciples to the fact that the Scriptures foretold that the Messiah that was promised to come would need to endure suffering. He was simply bring that same truth across to gathered disciples.
Jesus wanted all the disciples to be fully aware that it was an essential teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures that the Savior that was promised by God would enter into the world, would endure suffering and hostility in this world, and ultimately would have his own life put to death on the cross in order to bring about his kingdom rule and reign.
Once again, we need to see this as a central doctrine of the Christian faith. This is a non-negotiable of the faith. If anyone professes to be a Christian and yet refuses to believe in the suffering and the death of Jesus the Messiah, they cannot truly be disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. This truth is fundamental to our faith.
At this point, Jesus goes on to tell his disciples what is now been flow out of this truth that Jesus Christ died on the cross and was raised to life again. In other words, is going to give them their commission of service into the world.
47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
This is quite a glorious statement by Jesus to his disciples. We must see that it flows out of Christ’s explanation of the suffering of the Messiah on the cross. In other words as Jesus is telling his disciples that this message of the gospel of the kingdom that is going be proclaimed throughout all the nations is inextricably linked to the crucifixion and the subsequent burial and resurrection of Christ.
With that in mind, notice the elements of this gospel message that is going to be preached.
Firstly, there is the element of repentance. Repentance is a fundamental mark of those who belong to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. This repentance means that a person has recognized that their heart and actions were directed in a manner that was contrary to the ways of God, that they have confessed that rebellion against God, that life lived contrary to God, and that they have now by the grace of God, turned and began to walk in a direction that is towards God, and that accordance with his desires and his will.
It means further that this person has recognised that they cannot earn God’s favour through their own efforts, through their own righteous deeds or works done, and that their only hope of right standing with God is found outside of those efforts. It is only in Christ that forgiveness may be granted.
Repentance includes in it a turning away from the works of the flesh and the works of darkness, and a new orientation of life, wherein their life is marked by a humble submission to and obedience to Christ, and a life lived under His Lordship, with Him as king over them, and they as His willing and joyful subjects!
This repentance requires a complete change of heart and mind in terms of that which drives and motivates it. Repentance is not merely confessing sin, acknowledging that that sin is wrong and is an affront to God, and in giving a half-hearted effort towards doing things differently, all the while continuing to pursue selfish gain and selfish ends.
Rather repentance is a matter of the heart being so transformed by God’s grace that it recognizes and acknowledges that God is worthy of our praise and our worship, that He is worthy of our entire lives being offered up as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:2). It leads to our hearts turning away from self-centered motivations and lifestyles, and lives that are marked by service to God, through serving one another in love.
Coupled to the issue of repentance is the preaching of forgiveness of sins. Indeed this is the ultimate need of man in order for them to be reconciled to God. They need to sins forgiven and dealt with. We can then see why this flows out of the crucifixion. It was Christ’s death on the cross that dealt with God’s wrath that ought to have been poured out upon mankind. Because of the blood that was shed, there is forgiveness of sins for all who would believe in Christ submit to him.
Jesus says here to his disciples that it is this message of repentance and forgiveness that will be preached, in his name.
It’s interesting that Jesus speaks in this manner here. The name in which is speaking about is his own name. But it is very important that we recognize that it is only in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that this forgiveness may be granted. In other words, there is no other possible Savior for mankind. It is Christ, and Christ alone, who saves.
This truth is brought out quite clearly through the preaching of the apostles, as found in the book of Acts…
43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
To all the nations…
As Christ continues, he tells the disciples that this gospel message is going to be preached to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Let’s consider that it would begin at Jerusalem. This was where the disciples currently were. This was the center of the Jewish religious life. Where God dwelt.
This Gospel would begin by being preached there. In Jerusalem.
However, this Gospel message would continue to spread to all the world.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Gospel message would not be confined to the Jews, but would spread to all nations.
This is precisely what is found in the book of Acts. In fact, that phrase is found regularly through the book of Acts - to the Gentiles.
This was God’s salvation plan for the world.... for all peoples…
Finally notice…
4 Christ’s Promise (vv.48-49)
4 Christ’s Promise (vv.48-49)
In verse 48 and 49 we read…
48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The verb is written with a view to future, although including a present dimension. Literally it means “I am sending.
By doing this, Christ was emphasizing the certainty of what God was about to do. This promise obviously referred to the coming of the Spirit
4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus commands his disciples to stay in this city, which was the city of Jerusalem. The promised Holy Spirit was going to be given to them, was going to clothe them with power, so that the Gospel message could be spread throughout all the nations, even through this small group of gathered disciples.
Jesus Himself would send the Spirit.
7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
But we note also that the Father is the One that sends the Spirit.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—
26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
There is just a wonderful interaction between the persons of the Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - in the outworking of God’s Salvation plan for mankind.
Having completed the work that He came to do, Christ would send the Holy Spirit to empower His people, the church, in order that the Gospel message of salvation through faith in Christ would go out to the ends of the earth.
You and I sit here today as witnesses and testimony to the fact that this happened. The church continues to exist… no, to thrive and grow, because the Spirit of God is building a people for His name.
Conclusion
Conclusion
I will say in conclusion, this is a glorious reality. We are recipients of that Gospel, we are recipients of the Spirit of God.
Let me ask these questions...
Have you repented of sin, trusted in Christ alone for the forgiveness of your sins before God, and so become recipients of the Spirit of Christ in you?
And then, if you have, are you continuing to be a witness for this Gospel message to those who do not know Christ?
This is God’s calling to us - to make known the glorious Gospel message through Christ. That there is reconciliation between God and man, so that God’s people may be gathered in the worship and praise of His name.
What a glorious calling He’s given to us!