Luke 24:13-53

Introduction

Luke 24:10–12 “10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.”

The tomb is empty

Luke 24

Luke 24:13-35 The Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–16 KJV

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

Here’s two guys, who are on their way to Emmaus, “threescore furlongs” or sixty furlongs from Jerusalem.

a furlong is 210 or so yards, so they have left Jerusalem to make the 7 mile trip to Emmaus

they are talking about everything that’s happened. As the reader we know more than them in that moment. Put yourself on the road with them though, they were just in Jerusalem where this man Jesus was crucified. Luke says “they reasoned”. They aren’t just logically processing information, they are having an emotional, passioned conversation, maybe even arguing about what it all meant.

eyes were holden: Jesus draws near to them but the Bible says their eyes were “holden” or prevented. It's a divine passive, meaning God was actively preventing them from seeing immediately who it was walking with them.

Luke 24:17–24 KJV

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 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? 19 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: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 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. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Jesus asks them what they’re talking about and why are they so sad?

Now we see the irony that we’ve read in Luke so often:

Cleopas asks Jesus “Are you the only person in Jerusalem to not know all that’s happened?” You have to smile at that. Somebody walks up to President Trump, not recognising who he is, and asks him “What’s going on in Iran?”

Jesus doesn’t say: “Let me stop you right there…” He says “What things?”

Cleopas sounds like so many today. He believed Jesus was a prophet at the very least, a big time one at that. The one the Jewish rulers were so afraid of they had turned over to the Romans, together with the chief priests were guilty of his death and crucifixion

He tells Jesus why they’re disappointed. A believing Jews they were sure He was the Messiah come to free them from the political rule of Rome. “Now it’s three days since he was killed, and sure some of the women went to the tomb and come back and said it was empty and they had seen angels that said he was alive but a man doesn’t just get up out of the grave and walk away”.

“There were even a few fellas that went and checked, and sure enough his body was gone”

Luke 24:25–27 KJV

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus tells them they’ve missed the point. Not that they’re foolish for not seeing it, they’re foolish for not believing the scriptures as the word of God!

If they would have, they would have seen this was the plan all along.

“ought” in Luke is huge. He doesn’t use it just as “should” Luke uses it meaning “It was necessary”. It had to be this way, not God’s “plan b” but from before time began.

enter into his glory: the resurrection isn’t just Jesus coming back to life, it’s a focus on Jesus entering into His position and authority in heaven, seated on the right hand of the Father

Then Jesus leads the greatest Bible study in history and starts with Moses and goes to Isaiah, and Micah, and Daniel and shows them all the scripture that was pointing to Him

Luke 24:28–31 KJV

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 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. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Jesus made as though: I wouldn’t call it “pretending” but He’s desiring them to ask Him to stay.

But they ask him to stay and eat with them. He does, this isn’t a ghost, it’s the physical, resurrection. Not a spiritual visit but a bodily fellowship.

I picture the minute they touch the bread they see it is Jesus and just as fast, they can’t see him! Not gone, the word is greek for “unseen”. He’s just a present with them as He is with us!

Luke 24:32–35 KJV

32 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? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 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.

By grace, they understand and truly believe now. The scriptures opened to them by Jesus has given them a fire in their hearts. And also lit one under their tails. they turn around immediately and head back to Jerusalem to share not only what they learned but the faith they now have.

This is the sanctification by the Spirit and the Word in shoe leather!

I trust I don’t have to say much about how that applies to us.

“appeared to Simon”: Scripture describes at least ten distinct appearances of Christ between the Resurrection and Ascension.

1 Corinthians 15:5–8 “5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

This isn’t an emotional story from some women, not rumor or fable. Luke and Paul are telling us it’s legal testimony. WITNESSES to the truth of the resurrected Savior!

Luke 24:36-49 Jesus Appears to His Disciples

Luke 24:36–40 KJV

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

Luke 24:9 said Peter went away by himself. John 20:10 tells us the disciples had went away to where they were staying.

Now they have come back together. 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.”

The doors were closed and locked and when Jesus appears, they think it’s a ghost.

Jesus shows them His hands and feet. Offers for them to touch Him and his nail pierced hands and know He’s as real as they are

The physical evidence of a bodily resurrection. Jesus rose as the one who died!

Luke 24:41–44 KJV

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. 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.

They’ll believe in ghosts but not God the Son.

Ghosts don’t eat fish!

Jesus shows them He is the “meat” the unbeliever needs for salvation and the “meat” they need for faith

John 6:55 “55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.”

Jesus tells them: “I kept telling you to trust the Bible and that all these things had to happen” and then He gives another Bible Study to show them the truth of the scriptures

BIBLE BIBLE BIBLE! The resurrection of Jesus and the truth of it today don’t rest on our stories or feelings, it’s confirmed by the WORD!

Luke 24:45–49 KJV

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. 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.

He opens their understanding of the scriptures:

Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation:

1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

The same Holy Spirit gives us understanding that Jesus gave them:

1 Corinthians 2:10–12 “10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

repentance and remission preached: The disciples haven’t been abandoned, they’ve been commissioned

The promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit: John 14:26 “26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Luke 24:50-53 The Ascension

Luke 24:50–53 KJV

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 isn’t physically present on earth but all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Seventh Day Adventist Church

Sabbath

Dietary

The Investigative Judgement is the “problem” with Seventh Day Adventist

Jesus returned invisibly

initially Millerite 19th century teaching (similar to Jehovah’s Witness”)

gathered waiting for Jesus to come back

way back then Jesus returned but he didn’t return to Earth he returned to his heavenly sanctuary

There he began examining the lives of everyone who had put their faith in Him to see if they kepth the law

You avoid all of the issues if you just believe scripture for what it says and don’t constantly try to spiritualize it

We tend to focus on the Resurrection and then we just jump to the Book of Acts and the formation of the Church

The Ascension marks the end of that portion of the Ministry of Jesus and sets the expectation of the Disciples for what comes next at Pentecost in the coming and the presence of the Holy Spirit

Conclusion

Luke is teaching us about the person, work, and ways of a risen savior

You’ve heard me not be able to think about Easter Sunday without putting myself in the shoes of the disciples who had just seen Jesus die and the joy they must have felt when they witnessed the resurrection. Luke gives us hope that:

It is always darkest before the dawn; Our comfort is often, not always, but often closer than we think and just around the corner

The doubt comes from the question of how God can work through a crucified person. The fact is God’s plan as seen in the scripture was ALWAYS a crucified savior. The hope comes from Jesus place and authority in the resurrection. God’s Word and Work come through in the vindication and glory of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the author and finisher of our faith.

Just like the travelers and disciples in Luke’s story, we haven’t been abandoned, we’ve been commissioned:

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.”

And just like the travelers to Emmaus and the disciples at the ascension, Jesus is every bit as present with us now, this morning and in this sanctuary, and with every believer as He was when he “vanished”:

Hebrews 13:5 “5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”