Luke 24 - Faith is A Gift We Can't Take Credit for It!

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Jesus Has Risen

Each resurrection story has its unique nuances and gives us additional references to the events following Jesus' resurrection. Most of the differences relate to who he appeared to, when, and the people they went and told. 

In Luke, the women went early in the morning with spices to anoint Jesus' body on Easter Sunday. They found the stone was rolled away from the tomb. They looked inside aghast to find there was no body there. As they sat there, they met two men whose appearance and clothing gleamed like lightening. Obviously any one of us would have been freaked out enough by the tomb being empty, and then to encounter these angels probably would have put us over the top.  The woman were likewise frightened. 

The angels said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead. Didn't he tell you that after three days he would rise again?" As we have said before today, Jesus had said this at least three times to his disciples. Since the angels were addressing the women, the assumption is Jesus told them too, which is confirmed when it says, "They remembered what he had told them."

The women went immediately to tell then men what they saw. Luke mentions three of the women, two of whom were named Mary, but it says others were there others too.  Again it is interesting that the women had not fled. They were still around tending to Jesus' needs, whereas the men seemed to go back to what they were doing or generally were depressed. 

Most of the men thought the women were talking nonsense, but Peter ran to the grave, saw the empty tomb. It says, "He went away wondering what had happened." In another version Peter and John ran to the tomb, and John looked in and believed. Just because Luke only includes the account of Peter's reaction doesn't mean John was not there as well. 

Peter and John both observed what was in the tomb and John believed (John 20:8). This tells us that Peter analyzed the situation; he knew something spectacular had happened because of the condition of the grave clothes, but he because he had forgotten the words of Jesus (John 20:9), he did not yet understand and believe the way John had. - Guzik

On the Road to Emmaus

Then, Luke records a story that is only in his gospel. Two men were going on their way to Emmaus, which was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. It is safe to assume they were going home after the Passover festivities and obviously had heard what had happened. Jesus showed up among them and overheard what they were talking about. Apparently they could not recognize Jesus either. 

When Jesus asked them why the looked so sad. They were shocked about what had happened over the last couple of days. So, he let them tell the story, which they proceeded to do. They basically recapped what had happened to Jesus. They were a part of the larger group of disciples, because the women had shared their story of finding the empty tomb and talking with the angels. 

Then, he gives a further explanation which helps explain why only Peter is mentioned above. He says many of the disciples ran to check out the tomb and found it empty. The "some of his companions' could have been Peter and John, or more. But, it was not Peter alone. 

Then, Jesus seemed to rebuke them asking them why they were so slow to believe the things that were so clearly communicated to them about himself. Specifically, he reminded them that Moses and the prophets had foretold all the things that had happened. Either they hadn't done their homework or just failed to connect the dots.  So, he went through the Old Testament showing them where the Messiah had been predicted, and how he fulfilled all of the prophecies. 

They were interested, and asked Jesus to stay with them. When Jesus broke bread over dinner and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. In what sense did they recognize him? 

Though it was not what might be called a sacramental meal, there was something in it that showed them who the mysterious and wise guest was. Before their eyes were restrained (Luke 24:16); now their eyes were opened and He was known to them in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:35).

The word "sacrament" comes from the word "sacramentum", which means "mystery". We don't know how Jesus revealed himself to them in the breaking bread. Just like we don't know how Jesus is present when we receive the bread during Holy Communion. 

We say, "This is my body given for you." We trust in faith he is there just like he told us. And we do it because he commanded us to by saying, "Do this in remembrance of me." It wasn't a suggestion. 

Then, they returned to the Eleven, and others with them and shared their story about how Jesus was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread. They recounted that Peter was there as well. 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Jesus knew he would have to appear to the disciples more than once. So while they were talking, he stood among them again. We don't know again exactly what he looked like, but the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost and were frightened. Jesus' first words were, "Peace be with you!"

In my Lutheran tradition part of our service is called the "Greeting", where we greet each other by saying, "Peace be with you". The other person responds by saying, "And also with you." Sometimes I don't think we explain enough why we do certain rituals in the church. Some people think it is an empty ritual, but when you realize it is part of the gospel story, it becomes meaningful every time you do it. It is just like saying "I love you". It can become trite or sincere depending on how and why you say it. 

Jesus could have rebuked them for not recognizing them, but in his grace he allows them to touch his hands and body. He reminds them that ghosts don't have bodies. He meets them where they are at. This is great principle of evangelism. The disciples had a mixture of joy but also wondering, "Could this really be true or are we just imagining this?"

Jesus, of course, knew all this, so he took a piece of broiled fish and ate it in front of them. He reminded them as well that everything that had happened was in according and a fulfillment of the prophecies given through the Torah, the prophets, and the psalms. 

Then, he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. He helped them to make the connection between the Old Testament and how he truly was the Messiah they had been waiting for. Note Jesus "opened their eyes". He revealed the mystery to them. You can see a common theme that when people came to faith, God is the one through the Holy Spirit and His Word revealing it to them. 

Martin Luther says in his explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles Creed regarding the Holy Spirit, "I cannot by my own understanding or effort come to know Jesus Christ, as Lord. But the Holy Spirit has called me, enlightened me, and sanctified me in the one true Christian faith." 

Simply put, Jesus called us we did not call him. Though we might have responded in faith, we can't take credit for our faith. Faith is a gift from God. What we do with it, is our response of faith and living a life worthy of our calling in Him.  

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Finally, after telling them all of this, Jesus blessed them. Then, he was taken directly up to heaven. And they went back to Jerusalem to worship and praise Him. 

The gospel of Luke is now over. Though the next book in the bible is John, the fourth gospel, technically the book of Acts should come next. Luke wrote his gospel and the book of Acts together, They were a two volume companion. In ten days, Pentecost would happened, which Luke picks up in Acts 2. We also learn there that Jesus' Ascension was 40 days after his death. 

On to my favorite gospel, the gospel of John!