Luke 24 - Jesus Revealed Himself in the Breaking of the Bread!

Luke 24

Luke 24 - Enduring Word Commentary

Jesus Has Risen

24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.

The first day of the week was Sunday, which is why we hold worship on Sundays. It is the day of the resurrection. The stone was huge and could not be rolled away by any human being. It was cut out so it locked into the tomb to prevent grave stealers from getting into the tomb, as grave clothers were often expensive. The size of the tomb and the fact it was sealed virtually destroys the arguments the disciples stole the body. That is the lame argument anyways as why would the disciples steal Jesus' body if he didn't really rise from the dead. There is no motive there. 

The actual event of Jesus’ resurrection is nowhere described, but the discovery of it is recorded in some detail. Here, the women who intended to give Jesus’ body a more proper burial discover that the stone was rolled away from the tomb, and that the body of Jesus was not inside the tomb.

“This lack of spectacular detail itself speaks for the historicity of the New Testament documents. There is no attempt on the part of the writers to embellish the event of the Resurrection.” (Pate)

Matthew 27:65-66 reminds us that there was a guard set round the tomb. The stone could not have been rolled away by the women (they were not strong enough) or by the disciples (even if they were brave enough, they could not overcome the armed guards). No one else would have wanted to roll away the stone, and Matthew 28:2 tells us that it was an angel who rolled it away. - Guzik

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

It is interesting that women are the first evangelists. They go tell the apostles, who had all denied knowing Jesus and were downcast and distraught. It is not surprising they didn't believe them, but it is also not surprising that Peter ran to check it out. Perhaps there would be a chance for redemption after denying Jesus 3 times. 

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

This story is told only in Luke. Two men were walking to a village called Emmaus, and Jesus started walking with them unrecognizable to them. Jesus wanted to know what they were talking about, as he looked into their sad faces. Jesus naively asked them to tell them why their faces were so downcast. They couldn't believe Jesus did not know what had happened in Jerusalem that day. 

They described Jesus, and what he had done among them, and how they hoped he would be the one who deliver Israel. This was in alignment with all those expected Jesus to be a political Messiah. They had heard the story about the women going to the tomb and finding it empty. And they heard that an angel had told them women that Jesus was alive, and even some of their companions went and found the empty tomb but not see Jesus. 

But at the end of the day this was not enough proof for them that Jesus had risen from the dead. Apparently that didn't have enough faith to check out the empty tomb either. 

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Jesus rebuked them for how foolish they were, but in his mercy he went through the Law and prophets and explained how they were all about him. The Law of Moses showed how no one could measure up to God's holiness and justice, and how they needed someone to reconcile them to a holy God. The prophets had also warned them of how far they had strayed from God's covenant and commands and warned thme of God's judgment. There were the prophecies, many of which were fulfilled during Holy Week. I.e Riding on Donkey, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me", "He would be betrayed by 30 pieces of silver", "He would be pierced for our iniquities", and "On the third he would rise from the dead." 

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

The two men invited Jesus to dinner. They said their hearts were burning when Jesus was talking to them, and he opened up the scriptures to teach them how he had fulfilled them. The Holy Spirit was at work leading them to believe in Jesus. When Jesus shared the Lord's Supper with them (note these are the exact words he used at the Last Supper with his disciples), they recognized him in the breaking of the bread. 

This is why we call Holy Communion a sacrament. As we say the same words Jesus used and people hear and believe the words, "This is my body given for you", Jesus is truly present for the forgivness of sins. After they came to faith in Jesus, he disappeared from their sight. Most likely in a supernatural way. 

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

The disciples returned to Jerusalem at once showing that they had become believers. They couldn't wait to share it with the other disciples. 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

We see the grace of Jesus. Even though he had spent three years teaching the disciples everything about himself, they still did not believe when he died and rose three days later. They denied knowing him as well. 

The first thing Jesus said to the disciples was "Peace be with you". He knew they would be frightened. Another demonstration of grace. Even with all of this, they still were doubting. Think of how much evidence they had at this point. They had the empty tomb and the women's testimony. They had the two men who came back from Emmaus who met Jesus. And now they had Jesus himself. He even showed them his wounds. How much more evidence did they need?

Finally, he opened the scriptures (Old Testament/Hebrew Bible) and once explained everything starting in the law and prophets until his crucifixion and resurrection. He us gave them a glimpse of the church which would preach forgiveness in his name which would lead people repentance. This gospel would then be preached to all nations starting in Jerusalem. They had now become witnesses of all of this, and furthermore the Father would send the Holy Spirit as promised to them in this same city. 

And we wonder why despite so much evidence people don't believe in Jesus. I think the three biggest causes of unbelief are stubborn and hardened hearts, lack of knowledge of the scriptures, and also the evil one who blinds people to the truth about Jesus. This is why prayer is so important for our unbelieving family and friends, and our own witness to what Jesus has done in our lives. 

The Ascension of Jesus

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Jesus took these same disciples and let them to Bethany, a familiar place to them. It was near the Mount of Olives where Jesus frequently prayed. This is also the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus had just raised from the dead. 

40 days after Jesus resurrection he was taken back up into heaven. In 10 days the disciples would be clothed with power on high (the Holy Spirit)! The church was born! 

What evidence do you need to become a disciple of Jesus? 

How does your own journey of faith help you to lead people to faith in Jesus despite their objections? 

How does relying on the Holy Spirit take the pressure off of us and our ability to persuade people to believe in Jesus?