Jesus brings revelation of God’s plan to the Disciples.
Beginning From Moses and From All the Prophets
Luke 24:25–35 LEB
These disciples were walking with Jesus but did not recognize him, they were so sure he was dead. Even as he taught them, Luke 24:27 (LEB) And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. They responded desiring to hear more, but still didn’t know him. Sometimes we need a familiar event to trigger our memory, and for these disciples, as they sat at the table together, they didn’t see him until he broke the bread and gave thanks.
He Himself Stood There Among Them
Luke 24:36–43 LEB
The two that had been on the road, Luke 24:33 (LEB) And they got up that same hour and* returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, Luke 24:36 (LEB) And while* they were saying these things, he himself stood there among them. And they were afraid, and doubting, Luke 24:41 (LEB) And while* they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Do you have anything ⌊to eat⌋ here?”. Jesus did something that is very human, he ate. Our human emotions are sometimes hard to understand. They were joyful that Jesus was with them. They were marveling that someone could rise from the dead. And, they were still disbelieving, could this really be happening?
He Opened Their Minds to Understand the Scriptures
Luke 24:44–49 LEB
In Luke 24:44 Jesus said that he had told them all of these things, but they didn’t have any context or frame of reference to understand what God was doing. When Jesus was with them as their Teacher, they couldn’t imagine him as the lamb to be slain, the final sacrifice for sin. We have the same problem, God’s plan and purpose is bigger than anything we have ever experienced, how can we comprehend? But, we do have the Holy Spirit, the teacher, the comforter, the guide, who can open our minds to understand the scripture.
With Great Joy
Luke 24:50–53 LEB
They had been hiding for fear, and now they understand God’s plan. Now, they return to Jerusalem Luke 24:53 (LEB) And they were ⌊continually⌋ in the temple courts* praising God. Now, they are witnesses. Now they have purpose.
They Ran to the Tomb
John 20:1–9 LEB
Mary reported that the tomb was empty, John 20:2 (LEB) So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him!”
He was dead, and now his body is gone, someone must have taken him??
So, Peter and the other disciples with him, ran to the tomb. But, touching a dead person made you unclean according to the law, so some stopped at the door. Peter was not worried about becoming unclean and boldly entered. It was true, the tomb was empty.
The Disciples Went Away Again to Their Own Homes
John 20:10–18 LEB
No one knew what to do. Mary stayed weeping in her grief, so sure someone had taken his body. Then, as often happens (see notes below), she turned to find Jesus behind her. We are often so firmly set in what we believe and know to be true, that we can’t see what is really happening and Mary, in John 20:15 (LEB) … thought that it was the gardener, and* said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.”
It was when Jesus said her name, that she could see beyond her grief, and in John 20:16 (LEB) … She turned around and* said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”). Now, she knew him. Her grief was gone.
Notes: The Lord with us (* study)
- In Zechariahs vision, the angel with him was talking to other angels, and they spoke to “the Lord of Hosts” who was standing next to Zechariah. Zechariah 1:12–13 (KJV 1900) Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? 13 And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.
- In John’s vision, he heard the Lord behind him. Revelation 1:10–11 (KJV 1900) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Fear of the Jews
John 20:19–23 LEB
At this moment, when they were afraid for their lives, thinking the worst, Jesus steps in.
John 20:21–23 (LEB) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 And when he* had said this, he breathed on them* and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins* of any, they are retained.”
These are simple words, but in them are first the anointing with power by the Holy Ghost. And then, the charge for them to go forward with the priestly duty, forgive. As Jews they would understand the role of the priest included atonement for sin and declaring wholeness, cleanness, for the diseased.
And, while we may see sin and sickness as separate problems, as Jesus said in Mark 2:9–12 (LEB) Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say ‘Get up and pick up your stretcher and walk’? 10 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—he said to the paralytic—11 “I say to you, get up, pick up your stretcher, and go to your home.” 12 And he got up and immediately picked up his stretcher and* went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never seen anything* like this!”
Study Verses
- Luke 24:25–35
- Luke 24:36–43
- Luke 24:44–49
Daily Reading
- Luke 24:25-53
- John 20:1-23
