Meeting The Disciples Confirming Their Faith

The Risen Lord: Turning Doubt into Faith

Bible Passage: Luke 24:34-53

Summary: First we see in V-34 where that Jesus appears unto Simon Peter. Then we will be looking at Jesus appearing to the Disciples after His glorious resurrection from the tomb on the third day, Jesus begins to address the doubts and fears of the Disciples, Jesus assures them and gives them peace. Jesus also commissions the Disciples to be witnesses unto the world.

Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize that doubt is a part of faith and can lead to deeper understanding. It encourages believers to embrace their uncertainties and turn to Christ for reassurance and guidance in their struggles and weaknesses.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that Jesus wants us to confront our doubts with faith, emphasizing His bodily resurrection as a foundational truth of Christianity and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ's resurrection not only affirms His deity but connects Him to God's redemptive plan throughout the Scriptures, showing that His bodily presence among the disciples is an assurance of His ongoing work in their lives and the world.

Big Idea: Jesus transforms our doubts into a confident faith that sends us out to share the good news, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Recommended Study: In your study, consider exploring the historical context of the resurrection appearances in Luke and how they compare to other Gospel accounts. Using Logos, you could examine the Greek terms used for belief and doubt in this passage, as well as the implications of the Great Commission in verse 49, focusing on the significance of 'clothing' in the Spirit.

1. Presence: Peace in Doubt

Luke 24:34–35

“34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

We see here where the two Disciples had met Jesus on the road to Emmaus arrive at the house where the Disciples were telling them about the encounter they had previously that day and had not realized who He was. They then mentioned that Jesus had appeared unto Simon Peter; it is unclear of the hour when Jesus appeared unto Simon, however, this glorious appearing unto Simon was Jesus’s eagerness to forgive him for denying Jesus three times. Can you imagine how amazing it would be to have Jesus appearing to you. Just imaging there is only you and Jesus in a room together and Jesus desires to let you know that He was forgiving you of your transgressions. Oh mercy, think back to the day that Jesus was tugging on your heart strings while under conviction for your salvation, that is a personal moment with Jesus Christ too, you may not have had the ability to see Him, but we certainly are able to feel His presence around us.

Luke 24:36-37

“36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

The doors were locked on the house because the Disciples was afraid of the Jews in town, then Jesus appeared unto the Disciples through the locked door, even with their knowledge that Jesus was resurrected and alive, they was still afraid and terrified, they thought that they had surely seen a ghost especially with the suddenness of His appearing to them behind locked doors.

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

Mark 16:14

“14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

Remember Jesus had just appeared through locked doors.

First Jesus tries to calm them and assure them that it truly was Jesus.

Listen to what Jesus says to the eleven Disciples here. These men was heart broken that their Messiah, the only thing they have known was suddenly gone on the cross. Even though they had heard that Jesus was risen from the tomb. Jesus says to them why do you have unbelief, why are your hearts hard? It was clear to Jesus that they did not believe what the others that had seen Jesus to be true. “they thought they was seeing a ghost in their presence.”

Lets look at the book of John where we can see that Jesus blessed the gathered Disciples behind locked doors to try and calm their fear and anxiety, but to no avail they still did not fully believe.

John 20:19

“19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Luke 24:39-40

39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.

Jesus is saying hey guys look it is really me Jesus, I am the Christ. Look I am of flesh and bones, does a ghost have flesh and bones? The Disciples was trying to figure out how flesh and bones can just appear through locked doors. So in order to help the Disciples to truly believe that He was the risen Christ, and not a ghost, Jesus stretched out His hands to them and said, “see my hands, see the wounds from the piercing of the nails? Jesus showed them His feet and said, “ now look here too, do you see the piercing of the nails into my feet?” I bear the marks

Luke 24:41-43

41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?

42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.

43 And he took it, and did eat before them.”

Even after everything Jesus had shown them, they still did not fully believe that this was truly Jesus. Then Jesus said that He was hungry is there anything to eat here? The Disciples gave Him some honeycomb and fish to eat. It was not until this time that the Disciples would believe that Jesus was truly alive and well.

John 20:20

“20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.”

After seeing the prints of the cross riddled upon Jesus, and after eating fish and Honeycomb, the Disciples became glad in their hearts. Just exactly how Jesus had told them before the Crucifixion.

John 16:22

“22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”

So I ask you today....

How does Jesus meet us in our times of unbelief?

John 1:1

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 10:30

“30 I and my Father are one.”

Isaiah 43:11

“11 I, even I, am the Lord; And beside me there is no saviour.”

What does He do to show us that He truly is still alive and well?

1 Corinthians 15:20

“20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”

John 11:25–26

“25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”

Church I tell you right here and now Christ is alive and well today, He is the same today, tomorrow, and forevermore. He is unchanging.

Hebrews 13:8

“8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Matthew 28:20

B) lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Just like when the Disciples was afraid we become afraid and discouraged at times in our live too don’t we? I suggest that we all should remember, Hebrews 13:8 and Matthew 28:20(b )during those times in our lives when we are riddled of worry and experience vulnerable times in our lives. Christ reassures us of His presence, and that He is always with us even though we just don’t seem to feel His presence. Remember like the footsteps in the sand Christ carries us through our times of troubles and worries. Because I say that today God is still God!!! Reach out to Him today.

2. Power: Enlightened Understanding

Luke 24:44–48

“44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

48 And ye are witnesses of these things.

 Luke writes, “Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…” This does not refer to some mystical event by which Jesus miraculously removed some spiritual blinders preventing their understanding, as some today believe. The text specifically and clearly states exactly what Jesus did to ‘open the disciples’ minds: beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He showed them thoroughly how every part of the Law, Psalms, and Prophets pointed to His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, and that redemption through repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations.

In other words, Jesus carefully and meticulously taught the about Himself from the Scriptures, instructing their minds which were previously closed because they neither knew thoroughly nor could they understand those things which they had not heard.

Today, if we desire to know the fullness of God’s self-revelation like the first disciples, we need to thoroughly know the “whole counsel of God” through the diligent study of His word. Our minds are instructed and renewed when we come to possess all that God has provided for our instruction and direction

Luke 24:49

“49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”

Just think about how the Disciples felt when Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem to be endued with power from on high, meaning the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus ascended He left them with the power of the Holy Spirit and they was empowered to preach the Word, Acts 2. The Holy Spirit continued to empower them to teach and preach the Word of God, just the same today as it was at the time of Jesus’ ascension.

Witnessing is not something that we do for the Lord, this is something that He does through us. The Holy Spirit keeps us from giving some sort of sales pitch, but gives us a Spirit filled and empowered witness. Giving us the ability to complete the command of the great commission.

Matthew 28:19–20

“19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

3. Praise: Joyful Witness

Luke 24:50–53

“50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

Jesus’ ascension and blessing:

Jesus lifts His hands and blesses the Disciples. While blessing them, He ascends into heaven. This act of blessing reassures the disciples that they are not abandoned and that the power of the Holy Spirit will empower them.

Worship and great Joy:

After the Disciples witnessed Jesus’ ascension, the Disciples worship him and are filled with great joy. This joy is a recognition of the glory of the resurrected Lord and a source of strength for their future mission.

Consecrated to Worship and sharing the good news:

The Disciples spend their time in the temple, praising and God and sharing the message of Jesus’ resurrection. Their fear is replaced with a confident and mission-oriented spirit, propelled by the joy of knowing Jesus’ resurrection and His continued presence is with them.

Hope of His return:

The ascension of Jesus is also a promise of His future return, giving the Disciples hope and encouragement as they embark on their mission.

In Closing:

Through the blessings and the ascension of Jesus the Disciples received joy and willingness to worship and serve, this symbolizes His continued presence and the commencement of His heavenly ministry upon this earth, He transformed their fear into a purposeful and confident mission. The blessing and ascension becomes a powerful reminder of His victory and their ongoing role in spreading the gospel. This event leads the Disciples to worship Jesus and re turn to Jerusalem with great joy, dedicating themselves to praising God in the Temple.

Jesus washed away our sins, just like He washed away the fear and guilt Peter had from denying Jesus three times. Oh what a glorious thing to have Jesus in our presence. I ask you today is Jesus in your presence once you leave here?