LUKE: 24 The Glorious Resurrection of Jesus

The final chapter of Luke focuses on the lack of understanding concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus. As is common in eyewitness accounts, we see the events from a different perspective. The women who had prepared the spices for the body went to the tomb; this is recorded in every account. Luke adds this:

While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered His words, and returning from the tomb, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (Luke 24:4-9 ESV)

The men had forgotten what Jesus had said about His rising on the third day. God used women to bring correction and wisdom to the men. Most of the disciples dismissed the account of seeing angels who said Jesus had risen as “idle tales.” This is proof that women can be used to bring wisdom to men. How many churches would be like these disciples. Luke goes on to record what many of the other accounts confirm:

But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. (Luke 24:12 ESV)

From the other gospels, we know two of the disciples ran toward the tombs: John and Peter. John beat him to the tomb, but Peter, precious Peter, was the one who dared to go inside! Seeing the missing body, He believed what the women had said, then he went home. He didn’t remain with the other disciples since he had disowned Jesus three times.

That same day, after hearing from the women, some of the disciples, who were not part of the eleven, were going to a neighboring town. They were discussing the recent events when Jesus appeared to them.

And He said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people… (Luke 24:17-19 ESV)

Jesus doesn’t lie to them, because that would be a sin. He never says who He is. He asks questions. They have no idea that they are speaking to their Lord, the Man they followed for three years. This is the power of God. He can keep people from recognizing someone they have been hanging with for years!

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if He were going farther, but they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:27-31 ESV)

Since the eleven had dismissed the wisdom brought by the women, Jesus appeared to those outside His inner circle. He gave this group the detailed information about why He had come, how He had fulfilled the scripture, and why He had to die. Once that was done, God revealed who He was, then removed Jesus from them. Talk about miraculous happenings!

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”(Luke 24:32-34 ESV)

These men had walked seven miles with Jesus, then immediately headed back to Jerusalem. It is very unclear if this is Simon Peter or a different Simon, as there were three mentioned in the New Testament. What is very clear is that the Lord kept after the disciples, who were still debating about whether or not to believe all these accounts.

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:36-38 AKJV)

Three different witnesses had come forth: the women, Simon, and the two walking on the road, and still the eleven didn’t understand when Jesus appeared! They thought He was a spirit. The Lord showed them His hands and feet and even ate with them to prove that He had risen in the flesh and was not a mere spirit. The statement Luke records from Jesus should be read word for word as it is the core of our faith, the faith of the Gentiles:

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.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.” (Luke 24:44-49 ESV)

Everyone who is not Jewish has come to God through the actions of the disciples who received these instructions and acted upon them. The theme of this chapter is the faithfulness of God, even when we don’t realize what He is doing, even if we have dismissed the testimonies of others in the past, God doesn’t give up. He has a plan, and He will keep after us! Luke completes this account with great news:

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into Heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. (Luke 24:50-53 ESV)

The disciples finally got it! Jesus stayed with them for 40 days, then prayed for them as all witnessed His ascension into Heaven. The fact that 400 people saw Jesus for 40 days means this couldn’t be a shared delusion: the fact that they held to it, despite the harsh persecution, including crucifixion, proves it. Because of this, Israel’s leaders had to spread rumors that Jesus hadn’t died. He merely survived the crucifixion. This is also impossible. Medical experts say the muscle damage to His back would have kept him from breathing easily while hanging on the cross. The fact that water came out when He was pierced with a spear proves His lungs were filled with water.

There are no two ways about it: Jesus died and rose from the dead three days later. This is proof that He conquered the grave. When we accept Him as Lord, we get to be where He rules in Heaven when we die. That is the good news, which is what the word Gospel means.

We will see the full results of this as we continue reading the Book of Acts, showing the events of the disciples after this, which is also written by Luke.