When Jesus Steps into the Room

Opening Comments

Journey with me in your Bible to Luke 24:36–49 (pg. 832 in church Bible).

Our text today opens on the evening of the resurrection. At dawn, the women went to the garden tomb where Jesus body had been laid on Friday to anoint his body. But, when they arrived at the tomb, they found the stone rolled away and two angels appeared telling them that Jesus had risen, just as he said he would. They returned to where the eleven were gathered along with the other disciples and reported all they had seen, but they were brushed off as hysterical. Peter was the only one who went to check out their claim and left trying to process what he had seen.

Then, Luke took us along the road leading to Emmaus later that afternoon where we met two disciples (one named Cleopas) who were sad and confused. So much so, they decided to just go back home because Jesus wasn’t who they thought he would be. Jesus joined them along their journey, opened the scriptures to them, and then upon arriving to their home and breaking the bread for a meal, revealed himself to them and vanished. We ended last week with them running the seven-mile journey back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles.

That is where we take our place today. The reports of the resurrected Jesus are no longer isolated, and his followers have converged in one place, fearfully discussing everything.

Follow along as we read God’s true Word.

Luke 24:36–49 ESV

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Introduction

Jesus followers are gathered together in a locked room speaking about all the reports they had heard from the day.

The empty tomb, the message of the angels, Peter’s report, when a knock comes to the door with these two men reporting their encounter with Jesus. No doubt the room is a weird mix of angst, anxiety and amazement. Then, suddenly Jesus just appears in the middle of them.

Transition: Luke shows us that when Jesus steps into the room, everything changes. He establishes the reality of His resurrection, He opens their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He sends them out with the message the world needs to hear.

1. The risen Christ brings peace by establishing the reality of His resurrection. (v. 36–43)

A.) Speaks peace (v.36-37)

This group has just spent the last several days in panic, fear, confusion, heartbreak, and dread. Peter, the defacto spokesmen , who claimed he would die for Jesus, had denied him 3 times. Of the eleven, John is the only one who stood with him. The others all fled the night of Jesus arrest.

His closest followers all failed when Jesus needed them most and as they’re gathered discussing all of this, Jesus appears and what are his first words?

Luke 24:36 ESV

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

This was a standard greeting in this time.

It’s like saying “How are you today”

But Jesus appearance brought the opposite of peace, in that moment; (v.37) it startled and frightened them. They thought they were seeing a ghost (Spirit-Pneuma).

Their minds didn’t go to “Resurrected Christ” it went to “ahhh, a ghost!”

Jesus appears speaking peace, but they respond with fear. So before they can really be at peace, Jesus has to correct their false understanding.

B. Jesus exposes the problem as both emotional and intellectual (v. 38)

Luke 24:38 ESV

And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

Troubled- To cause movement by shaking or stirring. Or to cause inward turmoil. (Emotional)

Doubts- Divided thinking. Competing conclusions forming at the same time. (Intellectual)

One part is reacting to the reality of Jesus standing in the room and another is trying to fit that reality into a category that they can make sense of.

This is a rebuke from the Lord Jesus, confronting their unbelief, but also using this as a moment of instruction.

He’s prompting them to have some introspection but at the same time, he’s preparing them for what comes next.

C. Jesus proves that He is risen (vv. 39–40)

Luke 24:39–40 ESV

39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.

This isn’t a ghost, Jesus holds out his hands and feet for them to touch and see his scars.

This is the same Jesus who was pierced by the nails and placed in the tomb. He was dead and is alive.

Jesus is correcting their troubles and doubts via the physical evidence of his body. The body that was in the tomb is now in the room.

That concept is deeply central to our understanding of the gospel. If Jesus resurrection was only spiritual, then death would still have a hold over the body.

Listen to how Paul explains it:

Romans 5:12 ESV

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Death entered the world through sin. Death is not natural in the sense that God originally made man for it. Death is the result of Adam’s fall. Sin brought death into the human race, and death spread to all men because all sinned in Adam and then prove that same sinful nature by their own sin.

Romans 5:17–19 ESV

17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death. Christ’s obedience brings righteousness and life. Adam opened the door for death to reign. Christ has broken that reign.

So when Jesus says, “See my hands and my feet,” He is not only proving that He is alive. He is showing that death did not keep its hold on Him. The same body that was pierced and buried has been raised.

That is why His bodily resurrection matters so much. Sin brought death to the whole man, so Christ’s victory over death is not partial. The same Jesus who died now lives in a real body no longer subject to death, and all who belong to Him will share in that victory.

E. Jesus removes all doubt through visible, physical proof (vv. 41–43)

Luke 24:41 ESV

41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

Disbelieved for joy and were marveling- They just couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Luke 24:42–43 ESV

42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.

Jesus in his resurrected form didn’t need to eat, this was to cement even further this wasn’t a ghost. He is alive!

The resurrection of Jesus was bodily, historically verifiable and eye witnessed. The disciples didn’t come to believe something happened in spirit or in idea, they encountered the risen Jesus.

Christ entered into death as a substitute for sin. If that work were incomplete, death would still hold Him. The resurrection shows that the penalty has been paid and that death has been overcome. It is the Father’s declaration that the work of the Son has been accepted.

Acts 2:24 ESV

24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Application: Jesus didn’t leave his followers with an empty impression or feeling, He gave them himself.

Wounds they could see. A body they could touch. Proof they couldn’t dismiss away.

That’s the ground that biblical christianity stands on. Not an abstract idea, or experiences, a risen Christ who can be known as He is!

The same Jesus that stood in that room is alive now. Our eternal hope rests in a living savior who has conquered death.

So when fear arises, stop chasing things that may or may not make you feel good in the moment. Come back to what is true, Jesus is alive! True peace is only found in him.

2. The risen Christ opens minds to understand the Scriptures (vv. 44–46)

A. Jesus does with the disciples what He had just done on the road to Emmaus—He opens the Scriptures and opens their minds to understand them (vv. 44–45)

Luke 24:44 ESV

44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Jesus does what he did earlier in the day on the road to Emmaus. He takes them back to the scriptures, and passage by passage shows them that his death, burial and resurrection were God’s plan all along.

All of the promises, sacrifices, patterns, types, symbols; all the psalms and the prophets, were pointing the way to the suffering and risen Jesus.

Luke 24:45 ESV

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,

None of this was new to them, Jesus had taught it all to them before, but now for the first time, he opens their eyes to see how it all fits together and reaches their fulfillment in HIm.

B. Jesus shows them that the center of the message is His suffering and resurrection (v. 46)

Luke 24:46 ESV

46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

Should- Necessity

Jesus had to suffer because sin is real, guilt is real, and judgment is real.

A holy God does not leave sin unanswered. Christ came to bear that judgment in the place of sinners.

And the Christ had to rise on the third day because death could not hold the sinless Son of God once the penalty had been paid. His resurrection is the confirmation that the work of the cross was accepted and that death has been conquered.

1 Peter 3:18 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

What had seemed to the disciples like contradiction and defeat was actually the center of God’s redemptive plan all along.

Application: The disciples needed more than an empty tomb and a remarkable experience. They needed the Scriptures opened and their minds opened with them.

That has not changed.

A person can hear the Bible, know the stories, and still miss Jesus.

The issue is not always exposure to truth. Sometimes the issue is understanding.

That is why we keep coming back to the Word of God.

Christ is made known there.

Our thinking is corrected there.

What once seemed confusing begins to come together there.

We never move past the Scriptures. We return to them again and again because that is where the Lord keeps bringing clarity to our minds and stability to our faith.

3. The risen Christ sends His people to proclaim His message (vv. 47–49)

Now with the reality and meaning of His resurrection established and understood, Jesus now directs his disciples for what comes next.

All they had seen and understood, wasn’t meant to be kept to themselves.

A. Jesus shows them the message they are to proclaim (v. 47)

Luke 24:47 ESV

47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

Repentance- A turning of the heart and mind. Coming to see sin for what it really is before God and turning from it.

Forgiveness- Sin is no longer counted against us. Our guilt is removed because Jesus already bore it.

In His name- According to His authority and on His work.

Friends, that is the gospel! Not:

Morality

Self-improvement

or religious duty

The message of the Gospel is bound up in Christ alone.

“In Christ Alone”

Verse 1

In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light my strength my song. This Cornerstone this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love what depths of peace. When fears are stilled when strivings cease. My Comforter my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand

Verse 2

In Christ alone who took on flesh. Fullness of God in helpless Babe. This gift of love and righteousness. Scorned by the ones He came to save. Till on that cross as Jesus died. The wrath of God was satisfied. For ev'ry sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live

Verse 3

There in the ground His body lay. Light of the World by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious Day. Up from the grave He rose again. And as He stands in victory. Sin's curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine. Bought with the precious blood of Christ

Verse 4

No guilt in life no fear in death. This is the pow'r of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny. No pow'r of hell no scheme of man. Can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home. Here in the pow'r of Christ I stand

And notice where this begins: Jerusalem.

The very city where Jesus was rejected, condemned, and crucified becomes the starting point of the proclamation of grace. The place of greatest guilt becomes the place where forgiveness is first announced.

But, it’s not supposed to stay there. It is to filter out into all nations.

B. Jesus identifies His disciples as witnesses of these things (v. 48)

Luke 24:48 ESV

48 You are witnesses of these things.

They have seen the risen Christ.

They have heard Him open the Scriptures.

They have come to understand what His death and resurrection mean.

Now it is there job to proclaim it to the world.

Luke’s accompanying volume is the book of Acts and it is the record of the Lord’s Apostles doing exactly what he commanded them.

C. Jesus tells them that this work requires power from above (v. 49)

Luke 24:49 ESV

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Their task will not be an easy one. They will be rejected, imprisoned, run out of town, beaten, belted with rocks, whipped, endure huger, exhaustion, sickness and pain. Only then to be torn asunder, beheaded, dipped in boiling hot oil, crucified upside down, etc.

The task of taking the Gospel to the whole world was impossible for them to do in their own strength. They were going to need super-natural help.

So, Jesus tells them to wait, until they are clothed with power from on high.

The same Lord who opens the Scriptures and opens their minds will also give them the power they need to bear witness to Him through the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:1–4 ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Application

Jesus does not save us and then leave us without purpose. He sends us out with a message.

That message has not changed. It is still repentance for the forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus.

And that means the church must stay clear on what she is called to say. We are not here to entertain the world (performance worship, etc.), impress the world (we’re not worshipping them), or echo the world (we’re different). We are here to bear witness to Christ. We are here to announce that sinners can be forgiven through Him.

At the same time, this passage keeps us from thinking that the work depends on us. They needed the Spirit of God to accomplish the task and we’re no different.

Conclusion

When Jesus stepped into that room, everything changed.

He showed them He was alive.

He opened the Scriptures to them.

And He gave them a message to carry to the world

That message hasn’t changed for 2,000 years.

Salvation is found in Christ alone. Repent and find forgiveness for your sin.

Our mission still remains the same too. It’s the job of the church to proclaim this message to the world.

Invitation:

Unbeliever: You cannot save yourself. Your sin will not go away on its own. No amount of morality, religion, or effort can remove your guilt before God. But Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose again so that sinners can be forgiven. Turn from your sin and come to Him by faith. He will save all who come to Him.

Christian: Christ has not called His church to keep silent. He has sent us to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins in His name. That begins right where we are. In our homes. In our neighborhoods. In our workplaces. In our community. So do not keep this message to yourself. Speak of Christ. Tell others what He has done. Bear witness to the risen Lord.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for Your Word and for the clarity it brings concerning Your Son. Thank You that Jesus Christ has risen and that through Him there is forgiveness of sins.

Open our minds to understand Your truth more fully. Strengthen us to live as faithful witnesses of Christ. Draw those who do not know Him to repentance and faith.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.