By Nicole McLeod
We will look today at another one of the life changing post-resurrection appearances of Jesus.
As we study these verses today, I want us to notice the way that Jesus led His disciples, from fear to faith. To notice how He did this. He gave them peace, He gave them proof, He gave them a new understanding of the scriptures. And then He gave them a new pathway forward, with clear instructions, to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit, who would enable them to reach to “the ends of the earth” with the gospel.
We are going to see a big transformation in these disciples. We meet them in a bewildered state, “frightened and troubled” are the words Luke uses to describe them, but by the end of this chapter, we will see them full of joy, praising God and worshiping and blessing God, their feelings of anxiety and doubts literally gone.
This appearance took place on Resurrection Sunday evening, in the upper room. Tradition and Biblical context suggests they are likely the same Upper Room used for the Last Supper and the Upper Room discourse from John 13-16.
Last week we covered Jesus’ ministry earlier that day, to two men travelling on the road to Emmaus, and as Jesus opened up the scriptures to them, how their hearts burned with in them. This reminds us that having an understanding what we read in God’s Word is a big part of our knowing Christ in a powerful and life-changing way. This was their experience for sure!
All excited, these men rushed back to Jerusalem, to find the rest of the disciples to tell them, Luke 24:35, “… about the things that had happened on the road, and how He (Jesus) was known to them in the breaking of bread.”
As these two men arrived with their news, vs 36 tells us that Jesus Himself came and stood in their midst, (never mind the walls and locked doors for fear of the Jews). There He was, in their midst, Holy, full of grace, love, warmth and vitality. Wow!
I am going to read our passage today in three sections, beginning with vs. 36-43, and then pray.
Luke 24:36-43 “Now as they (the men from the Emmaus road) said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you (Shalom).”37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold (see) My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.
Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 40 “When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
Lord, we ask Your blessing on our hearts and pray that You will open our understanding to what we read today. As we behold Jesus risen, and in the midst of His troubled disciples, help us also to find You in the midst here with us today. I pray you would minister to each one of us. In Jesus name.
Jesus’ 11 remaining disciples were together in the upper room, not knowing what was ahead.
First came the reports of His resurrection from the women, they didn’t believe those, then from Peter, and from the men who Jesus met on the road to Emmaus, and Marks gospel (16:12-13) tells us they had a hard time believing them too. Now, Jesus Himself suddenly appears, standing in the midst of them. It was a believable but overwhelming moment to say the least.
Jesus greets them by saying Shalom, which means peace to you, a gracious and beautiful greeting. Its meaning is rich – peace with wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity. These are His first words to them after His resurrection. It was a word of reconciling peace, as true shalom comes only from God. And is more than a greeting. It was a declaration of peace. His work of redemption was complete. And as Paul wrote in Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
So, Jesus speaks peace directly to their hearts with new meaning, now that Jesus had risen from the dead. Now, true peace could come between God and man, and among men.
On the night before His crucifixion, in his upper room discourse, Jesus had told them, John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” “But” as Luke 24:37 tells us, seeing the risen Jesus standing in their midst, there was no peace within them, their hearts troubled indeed and afraid, and they supposed they had seen a spirit.”
Jesus understood all about what was happening in their hearts. With a kind and compassionate approach, He sets about to reassure them and draw them to Himself. He asks two simple questions, though He knows the answers so much better than they do.
Luke 24:38 “… “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?”
He starts to lead them to rest, by providing them with convincing proofs.
Luke 24:39-40 He showed them his wounds so they would know that it was the very same Jesus, in the same - but now risen body and not a ghost. The marks of Calvary were still on His gloried body.
It’s been said that “the only work of man now in heaven is the marks of Calvary on the Body of our Savior.”
He told them to behold Him – to see, and to handle Him, to touch and feel with their own hands. He had flesh and bones, (but He could appear and vanish and even go into locked closed rooms.)
Jesus wanted His disciples to be absolutely convinced and confident in His resurrection. These things are written so that we too can be confident too.
Luke 24:41 “But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He (Jesus) said to them, “Have you any food here?”
It’s like He is not getting through to them. Maybe it seemed to them too good to be true - like Jacob when he learned that his beloved son Joseph was alive. We might say “this can’t be happening” even when it is.
Jesus patiently takes the proof a step further and says, “Have you any food here?” He ate fish and honey in their presence – and I can imagine them watching Him - to see what would happen… and nothing out of the ordinary happened. This would be another powerful proof that this was the same real Jesus, doing same thing with them that He had done many times before. And He did all of this for them, to help them believe.
Aren't you glad that Jesus is such a loving and patient teacher? Watch what He does next. He meets them where they are and brings them back to God’s Word to anchor their thoughts in the truth. It’s the Word and the understanding of it that turns confusion into clarity and faith. It's the Word of God that speaks peace to us in the midst of circumstances; it reminds us that God really is in control and we can turn our circumstances over to Him and trust Him.
I was recently up in the middle of the night thinking about some unresolved things relating to my daughter’s upcoming wedding, not even thinking that God was there but a thought suddenly came to me, something like – “Why don’t you invite Me (God) to take over and providentially rule over the wedding, just put it into My hands and trust Me”. And my anxious thoughts went speechless. I was stunned. Just the thought of inviting God to rule over it was so wonderful. So, I did, right then and now it’s in His hands!
Jesus gave them His peace, He gave them His proofs, and now He will open their understanding of the scriptures. This is section 2 of our text, vs 44-49.
Luke 24:44-49 “Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the 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 to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
During His years with them Jesus had taught them God’s Word, but they were having a hard time connecting the dots. They had studied Moses. They had been taught by the rabbis; they had studied the prophets and knew the psalms. They could likely quote them by heart. But it just didn't all fit together to them.
At one point during His earthly ministry, Jesus said to the Pharisees:
John 5:39-40 “You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about Me. But you are not willing to come to Me so that you may have life.”
It's possible to be familiar with the Scriptures… but miss Jesus! Listen, if we know the Bible from front to back, inside and out, but miss Jesus, we miss life. If we miss Him as our Savior, we miss the only salvation there is! The Bible is His Story – the story of the Christ. It is all about God’s great plan of redemption.
Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Jesus reminded them that everything had happened, just as He had told them it would.
He knew the Scripture was exactly what His overwhelmed disciples needed. And He knew which Scriptures they needed. The Old Testament holds over 300 prophecies which were written centuries before His birth, detail his lineage, birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection, I wonder how many of these He used to again prove to them He is the Messiah the Word speaks of.
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”
Vs 45 is underlined in my Bible, and I hope it is underlined in yours as well. We can pray Lord, open my understanding every time we read the Bible. It’s such a wonderful gift, when God opens your understanding. And that happens when you're born again. The Holy Spirit teaches and applies God’s Word to us.
1 Cor 2:14 "For the natural man does not understand the things of the Spirit, neither can he know them, they are spiritually discerned.”
That's the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, to help us and teach us God’s Word.
In vs 44-49 Jesus gives them the pathway forward, and commissions them into the spreading of the gospel. So, He gives them 4 things to that they will need in order to take the gospel to others, and these are the same four things we need as well.
1.First, they needed to comprehend (understand) the scriptures.
Luke 24:46 a“Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, (this is another phrase to underline in your bibles)
Jesus took them to the prophecies written of Him in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms. The Scriptures made clear that Jesus had to suffer before entering into His glory. Jesus shed light on these Scriptures, so that they could see the meaning, and that they were referring to Him and God’s great of redemption. This must have been the best Bible Study ever!
2. Second, they needed to understand the necessity of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and so do we. Jesus solemnly told them that it was necessary for these things to be fulfilled.
Luke 24:46 b “and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,”
David Guzik: “Jesus wanted them to understand that the cross was not some unfortunate obstacle that had to be hurdled. It was a necessary part of God’s redemptive plan for man, and that it would be in the name of a crucified and risen Savior that repentance and remission of sins will be brought to the world.”
He needed them to understand, so they could explain it to others using the scriptures. This would be the life-giving and life changing message they were going to take to the ends of the earth. We also need to understand this plan and the scriptures so we can convey this to others.
3. Thirdly, Jesus gave them their marching orders, with instruction as to what they were to preach and what they should do in order to carry out the Great Commission which he will give to them.
Vs 47-48 “and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.”
Vs 47-48 is Luke’s version of the Great Commission that we will study in two weeks in more detail, from Matthew 28. All four gospels confirm that we are not to keep our enlightened understanding of the Word to ourselves but to share it with others. We share this message with our children; we share it with our friends – even those who are cynical. And we try to live as an example of a new life in Christ.
They were to preach a message of “repentance and remission of sins”. The NLT translates this phrase ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’
Repentance means “a turn-about, a deliberate change of mind resulting in a change of direction in thought and behavior. We turn from our sins and we turn to Christ. It’s a life change of 180 degrees.
Remission of sins is the theological term for the total forgiveness of sins. It’s the cancellation, and removal of sins by God, who then treats us as if they were never committed. Taken from the Greek aphesis ("to send away"), it conveys a release from the guilt, punishment, and legal penalty of wrongdoing. This has been made possible through Christ's atonement. As it says in Psalm 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
We are all headed away from God by nature, like the Word says, Isaiah 53:6 NLT “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” Somewhere along the way we hear the gospel, the good news that God loves us, and that Jesus died to pay for all our sins, and that by turning to Him and turning away from our sinful ways, and by putting our faith in Him we receive forgiveness of sins, and we can be made right with God. We may wrestle with this invitation, but when we wave the white flag, and respond and receive Christ, our sins are forgiven and He begins to transform our lives. This is repentance and forgiveness of sins.
Jesus explains the 4th thing they would need, and we need, which is the most essential thing, the power of the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
How was this small group of easily overwhelmed men and women to reach the whole world with the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins? And how are we who are easily overwhelmed and feel inadequate to this call to do this?
He tells them to behold – something amazing is going to happen. He is going to give them power to be His witnesses. This is the promise of the Father, made in Joel 2, where God said, "And in the last days, says the Lord, when I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh."
Power from on high will come endue them and empower them to be the witnesses and do the work Jesus had called them to do. The Holy Spirit would be poured out, just as God had planned it, on the Day of the feast of Pentecost. (We will study all this in a few weeks when we get into Acts Ch 1).
They had already received the Holy Spirit within them when Jesus breathed upon them. (John’s gospel 20:22 provides this important detail.) This is where the disciples were born again, bringing them new life.
But He tells them to wait until the Holy Spirit, they would then receive power from on High, which would give them power to be His witnesses. This would happened 10 days later.
On that day, the Day of Pentecost, (Acts 2) as 120 believers waited in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and power, the church became alive, “ignited by the Spirit of God, a flame that continues to bring light to the world today”.
It was the Holy Spirit’s power that transformed them from overwhelmed fearful disciples hiding in an upper room into the powerful bold witnesses and preachers of the gospel we see throughout the book of Acts.
Lastly today, Luke ends this last chapter of his first book with a beautiful description of Jesus blessing His disciples as He ascends into heaven and they returning to Jerusalem with great joy and blessing God.
Luke 24:50-53 “And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.”
Don’t you love seeing this? The last act of Jesus before His ascension was to bless His disciples. And the first act of the believers after the ascension was to worship. The gospel of Luke ends with the believers rejoicing, praising and worshipping Jesus with great joy. Quite a transformation!
We will take a closer look at The Ascension in April at our final spring lunch gathering, so stay tuned – we have much to look forward to.
In closing, let me summarize this appearance, where four important things happened.
1 Jesus proved to His disciples, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He had indeed bodily risen from the dead and was very much alive
2 Jesus opened the understanding of His followers the facts of what was written in the Old Testament, about the Messiah, proving to them from God’s Word that Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead.
3 He commissioned them to take the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins, in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
4 He commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received power from on High – the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
I have two simple questions for you to think about as we go to our prayer time.
1.Do you see your need for the power of the Holy Spirit? We really can do nothing of ourselves for the Lord; we are dependent upon His power within us We can ask for His power to fill us and for His help as often as we like. Pastor George over the next few Sundays will be teaching on this very subject: How to live in Christ and How to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hope you can hear those messages.
2.Do you believe that Jesus is in the midst of your life with you today? In whatever challenging relationships or circumstances, you are right now trying to deal with and find your way through, can you perceive His love, His warmth, His grace, His presence and peace? Do you believe He is for you? Can we entrust our troubles to Him today and believe He will give us peace and comfort, even as we give ourselves to Him?