Golden Text: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34).

Transcription

1 Sunday, April 1, 2018 Lesson: Luke 24:1-12, 30-35; Time of Action: 30 A.D.; Place of Action: Jerusalem Golden Text: The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34). I. INTRODUCTION. It s very clear to every believer that taking Jesus resurrection out of the gospel would cut the heart out of Christianity. The Apostle Paul stated that without the resurrection, our faith would be vain (see I Corinthians 15:14) or foolish. The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus Messiahship (see Acts 2:36), and the Father s acceptance of His atoning work (see Hebrew 1:3). It also guarantees our own resurrection (see I Corinthians 15:20-23). In addition, our risen Lord as our Advocate pleads our case before the Father (see I John 2:1). This week s lesson records circumstances surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2 II. THE BACKGROUND OF THE LESSON. After Jesus was crucified, a soldier pierced Him in His side confirming that Jesus was dead (see John 19:34). At that point, Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus and also a member of the Sanhedrin council, obtained Jesus body with Pilate s consent, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in his own tomb (see Matthew 27:57-60; Luke 23:50-53). Joseph received help from Nicodemus, who brought spices to preserve Jesus body (see John 19:39-40). A large stone was also rolled in front of the tomb (see Matthew 27:60). All of this had to be done quickly because that day was the preparation and the Sabbath drew on (see Luke 23:54). Once the Sabbath began at sundown, no more preparation of the body or the tomb was allowed. This was not the regular weekly Saturday Sabbath, but a special Sabbath that John referred to as a high day (see John 19:31) since it was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It had special rules including complete rest; no work could be done, and no leaven could be used in the food or found in their homes (see Exodus 12:15-20). A number of Galilean women who had benefited from Jesus ministry and had ministered to Him watched from a distance when Jesus was crucified (see Luke 23:40). After seeing where Jesus body was laid, the women returned to their homes to prepare spices and ointments and then rested the next day which as noted above, was the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called a Sabbath Day (see Luke 23:55-56). The spices and ointments were used to preserve the body temporarily and to offset the odor of decomposition. The Jews had no embalming process like those of the Egyptians. This is where our lesson begins.

3 III. THE WOMEN: THEY VISIT THE TOMB (Luke 24:1-11) A. A morning errand (Luke 24:1). Our first verse says Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. Since the women couldn t anoint Jesus body the day after He died because it was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread which was also recognized as a Sabbath Day, they waited for the earliest light on the first day of the week, or Sunday since the regular Saturday Sabbath also prevented them from going to Jesus tomb. (For a more detailed explanation surrounding Jesus burial, anointing with spices and His resurrection, please search for the article entitled The Last Week Of Jesus Life on this website.) The term sepulcher refers to Jesus tomb. The women who had watched at a distance where Jesus was buried came to the tomb and certain others with them. We are not told how many women headed out to Jesus tomb, but three of them are named later (see Luke 24:10). Some of them had witnessed the stone being rolled in front of the tomb and as they walked they discussed how it could be removed (see Mark 16:3).

4 B. A disappointing discovery (Luke 24:2-3). 1. (vs. 2). This verse says And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. As already mentioned, as the women walked to the tomb they discussed how to remove it. When they reached the tomb they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. They didn t know that an angel had earlier rolled the stone away causing the guards to be afraid and fall into a trance-like condition (see Matthew 28:2-4). Note: Jewish tombs often had large circular stones placed at the entrances. Since the edge of the stone was set in a track, it could be rolled away. In addition, sometimes these tombs were sealed with clay or wax to indicate if the stone had been moved and the tomb disturbed. At the request of the Jewish officials, Pilate had Jesus tomb sealed and he also assigned soldiers to guard it (see Matthew 27:62-66). By the time the women arrived, the soldiers had come out of their trance-like condition and left, with some of them reporting to the chief priests what had happened (see Matthew 28:11). 2. (vs. 3). In this verse, Luke continues to write And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. Finding the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, they entered in intending to finish the work of anointing Jesus body that Joseph and Nicodemus had begun. But another surprise awaited them in the tomb. They found not the body of the Lord Jesus. They looked for Jesus body but it was not there. However, John 20:4-7 tells us that the linen cloths that Jesus was wrapped in

5 were still lying there, and the face cloth was by itself as if Jesus just slipped out of it all (and He did!). The women knew exactly where Jesus was buried (see Luke 23:55) so they didn t go to the wrong tomb. But they never expected to find an empty tomb. So, Mary Magdalene concluded that someone had taken Jesus body away (see John 20:1-2). Having come to that conclusion, before Mary Magdalene had a chance to hear the angels explanation, she ran to tell Peter and John. She persisted in believing someone had taken the body until Jesus Himself spoke to her (see John 20:10-16). C. An encouraging message (Luke 24:4-7). 1. (vs. 4). This verse says And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Seeing the tomb empty, the remaining women were much perplexed thereabout meaning that they were confused by what they saw, or better yet, what they didn t see. But while they pondered the meaning of it all behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. The word behold means Look! It s often used in Scripture to introduce an extraordinary sight that causes awe or surprise. In this case two men suddenly stood by them dressed in shining garments. Their gleaming clothing identified them as heavenly messengers, angels (see Luke 24:23). Although Matthew and Mark mention only one angel (see Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:5), John verifies Luke s version that there were two (see John 20:12). Note: All the gospel accounts refer

6 to someone at the tomb explaining the absence of Jesus body. In Matthew it is an angel (see Matthew 28:5), in Mark, a young man (see Mark 16:5), and in John, two angels (see John 20:12). It seems clear that angels of God appeared in human form to give the message of the resurrection. Undoubtedly, two angels were present with one of them acting as the spokesman. In addition, the presence of two witnesses (the angels) was important in establishing the reality of the resurrection (see Deuteronomy 19:15). 2. (vs. 5). In this verse, Luke goes on to say And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? The sudden extraordinary appearance of the angels frightened the women and they bowed down their faces to the earth. This was a normal reaction humans had to heavenly beings (see Luke 1:12; Acts 10:3-4). According to both Matthew and Mark, one of the angels told them not to be afraid (see Matthew 28:5; Mark 16:6). The angels then gently rebuked the women for their lack of faith in Jesus resurrection by asking them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? The women were convinced of Jesus death and were only at the tomb hoping to delay the inevitable decay of His body by anointing it. It should be noted that the angels referred to Jesus as living for He was life (see John 11:25; 14:6), and death has no control over Him (see Acts 2:22-24). Therefore, it was completely illogical that He would have been found in the grave at all. 3. (vs. 6). The angel continued to say in this verse,

7 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee. The angel did two things. First, he told the women that the reason Jesus was not there was because He is risen. Second, he reminded them that Jesus had spoken to them and foretold His resurrection when he was yet in Galilee. These women should ve known that Jesus had risen from the dead because He had told them during His Galilean ministry (see Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45). They were from Galilee (see Luke 23:49) and they began to follow Jesus during His Galilean ministry (see Luke 8:1-3). It s interesting that Jesus enemies remembered His words concerning His resurrection, and even took precautions against it by keeping His disciples from stealing His body (see Matthew 27:63-64). His enemies remembered, but His followers didn t. How ironic! Note: According to other gospel accounts, the angels invited the women to look and see where Jesus had lain (see Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6). As they looked, they saw what Peter and John would later see, namely the linen cloths in which Jesus was wrapped lying undisturbed, and the napkin for His head lying separately (see John 20:5-7). This evidence would have been convincing for the women. No grave robbers would have unwrapped the body and left the grave clothes behind. Neither would Joseph of Arimathaea, if he had decided to move the body. The truth is that Jesus, in His glorified body passed through the wrappings leaving them undisturbed. It s also fitting that in a social system where women were looked upon as inferior, Jesus saved the first knowledge of His resurrection for these women. It showed that He valued their faithful labors behind the scenes as much

8 as He did the more public services of His male disciples. This also symbolized the spiritual equality between men and women that would exist in the church (see Galatians 3:28). 4. (vs. 7). In this verse, the angel reminds the women that Jesus had spoken to them Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. We have no record of Jesus making this statement personally to these women, but there are several accounts in the Gospels where Jesus shared these facts with the Twelve Disciples in some form or another. Jesus had spoken of His crucifixion and resurrection on more than one occasion beginning after Peter confessed Him as the Christ (see Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22), and then at other times (see Matthew 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 9:31; Luke 18:32-33). No doubt they probably told the women what Jesus had said to them that after He was delivered into the hands of the Romans, He would be crucified, and the third day rise again. It s sad to see that these words did not have an impact on Jesus followers, not even His apostles. They focused so much on His unthinkable death that they didn t even hear His words about His resurrection. But even if they did listen, they couldn t understand what He meant (see Mark 9:10; Luke 18:34). Note: The first time that Jesus spoke of His coming death and resurrection was right after Peter confessed Him as the Christ (see Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:20-22). The second time was just after Jesus healed a demonpossessed boy (see Mark 9:17-32). The third time that Jesus gave this prophecy was when He and His disciples

9 were on their way to Jerusalem for the last time (see Mark 10:32-34; Luke 18:31-33). Although Jesus foretold His crucifixion, death and resurrection to His disciples on multiple occasions, for some reason His words never made a lasting impression on them. On one occasion they discussed among themselves what the rising from the dead meant (see Mark 9:9-10). On another occasion they didn t understand His prediction, and were afraid to ask Him what He meant (see Mark 9:31-32). D. A prompt report (Luke 24:8-10). 1. (vs. 8). This verse simply says And they remembered his words. After the angels reminded the women that Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection, they remembered his words. The women remembered both the words He had spoken as well as the ways those words were fulfilled. Jesus had been delivered into the hands of sinful men and crucified, and they were eyewitnesses to that fact. Now, after three days later (see Matthew 27:63), they had seen and heard the evidence that Jesus had risen from the dead. Note: We can profit from the experience of these early believers. The predicted truth of the death and resurrection of Christ came to them by revelation through the angels, not by reason because they didn t consider it reasonable. Therefore, they didn t take it seriously. Now, by revelation once again, God reminded them of the truth of Jesus resurrection

10 and their faith was strengthened. God s truth always comes to us by revelation biblical revelation. Since parts of the Bible don t seem reasonable to our human minds, we tend to ignore some of it or interpret it figuratively. As a result, we miss the blessing that God s Word brings because of unbelief. Only when we take all of God s Word seriously can He strengthen us. 2. (vs. 9). After remembering Jesus words, this verse says of the women And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. With their own faith strengthened, the women returned from the sepulcher meaning that they left the tomb. They returned to Jerusalem and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. The words the eleven refers to the remaining eleven disciples, because Judas had committed suicide (see Matthew 27:1-5). Note: Apparently while on their way back from the tomb, Jesus Himself met the women and received their worship, and then instructed them to tell the others (see Matthew 28:8-10). Now, when they reached the disciples, not only could they tell of the angels message and the empty tomb, but they could also tell them that they had actually seen the Lord Jesus Himself. They were firsthand witnesses that Jesus prediction of His death and resurrection was true. And they were women, not men! 3. (vs. 10). Now we are introduced to the prominent members of this group of women. This verse says It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the

11 mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. One of them was Mary Magdalene identified by her home city of Magdala near the Sea of Galilee. After Jesus cast seven demons out of her, she became a consistent, devoted follower thereafter (see Luke 8:2). She was the first person to have an encounter with Jesus after His resurrection (see John 20:1-18). She has often been portrayed as a prostitute, but there is no evidence of this in any of the Gospels. A second woman in this group was Joanna. She was socially prominent since she was the wife of Chuza, the steward or servant of Herod Antipas (see Luke 8:3). A third woman was Mary the mother of James. In Mark 15:40, she is identified as the mother of James the less and Joses and the wife of Cleophas (see John 19:25). This Mary appears in Scripture only in connection with Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, so we know nothing more about her. This verse does not give the names of the other women that were with them, but Mark s account includes Salome (see Mark 15:40; 16:1) who was probably the wife of Zebedee and the mother of James and John (see Matthew 27:56). All these women were witnesses to the resurrection including Mary Magdalene who returned to the tomb after reporting the missing body to Peter and John (see John 20:11-16). Their combined testimony of what they had seen and heard was so impressive that the apostles could not ignore it, or could they? The next passage of Scripture answers that question. E. An unbelieving response (see Luke 24:11).

12 When the women returned to the apostles to give them the good news, this verse says And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. The news of the resurrection should ve generated great excitement, but due to a probable combination of male pride and outright unbelief, their words seemed to them as idle tales. In other words, the eleven apostles considered the women s report to be sheer nonsense. As mentioned previously, in both Hebrew and the Greco-Roman society of that day, women were thought to be inferior to men, thus making their witness untrustworthy so they (the disciples) believed them not. It may have been that in a maledominated society even the apostles wouldn t believe women. Normally, two or three witnesses was enough to establish the truth of a statement (see Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17), but no amount of testimony would satisfy these men. Only personal experience could convince them. The truth of the matter is their faith was no stronger than that of doubting Thomas (see John 20:24-25). Note: Of all those who followed Jesus, the Eleven should have had the strongest faith. They walked with Him for three years and heard Him speak of His resurrection several times, yet they refused to believe. After His resurrection, when Jesus appeared before the Eleven, He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart (see Mark 16:14). It s interesting that their failure to believe is really proof of Jesus resurrection. Since they were not expecting Him to rise, they surely wouldn t have imagined to have seen Him. Neither would they have stolen His body to make others believe that Jesus had risen. This group of men were dejected and defeated, hiding out because they feared what

13 might happen to them (see John 20:19). Therefore, we can be sure that when they began to preach a risen Christ, they did it on the basis of undeniable proof. Our faith rests on fact, not imagination. IV. PETER: INVESTIGATING THE TOMB (Luke 24:12). This verse says Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. John s Gospel tells us that Mary Magdalene told Peter and John that someone had stolen Jesus body (see John 20:2). Remember, she left the tomb before the angels explained that Jesus had risen. After hearing Mary s words, both Peter and John ran to the tomb and John outran Peter getting to the tomb first, but he only stooped and looked in (see John 20:3-5). When Peter arrived, He went into the tomb. Here in this verse, Luke only mentions Peter s arrival at the tomb and not John s. However, they both beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves because after Peter went into the tomb, John went in also (see John 20:6-8). The fact that the linen clothes laid by themselves is evidence that Jesus body had slipped through them. It appears that this sight didn t convince Peter because the last part of this verse says that he departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. In other words, he left the tomb wondering what really happened. Note: At some point that day,

14 Jesus personally appeared to Peter (see Luke 24:34: I Corinthians 15:5). Eventually, all the skeptical and unbelieving apostles saw the risen Christ (see John 20:19-20, 24-29; 21:1-2; Acts 1:1-8; I Corinthians 15:3-8), and their lives changed forever. V. THE TRAVELLING DISCIPLES: THEY MEET THE RISEN SAVIOUR (Luke 24:30-35). Verses are not part of our printed text, but those verses bring us to the remainder of our lesson. That same day of Jesus resurrection, two of His followers were headed to Emmaus which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. While they were talking about everything that had happened in Jerusalem, Jesus came near and walked with them. But they didn t recognize Him. Jesus asked them what they were discussing, looking sad as they walked. The two men stopped, and the one named Cleopas said, You must be the only person in Jerusalem who doesn t know what has just happened there. Jesus said, What are you talking about? They said, about Jesus of Nazareth. He was a great prophet to God and all the people and He said and did many powerful things. But our leaders and the leading priests handed him over to be judged and killed, so they nailed him to a cross. We were hoping that he would be the one to free Israel. But then all this happened. And it has been three days since He was killed. But today, some of our women told us an amazing

15 thing. They said early this morning they went to the tomb where they laid Jesus body, but his body wasn t there. They also said that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that Jesus was alive! So, some of our group went to the tomb too and found it just as the women said, but they didn t see Jesus. Then Jesus said to the two men, You are foolish and slow to realize what is true. You should believe everything the prophets said. Wasn t the Messiah supposed to suffer those things before he began his time of glory? Then Jesus began to explain everything that had been written about Him in the Scriptures, starting with the books of Moses and all the prophets. When they came near Emmaus, Jesus acted as if he didn t plan to stop there, but they begged Him to stay with them because it was almost dark. So Jesus accepted their invitation. This is where the second part of our text begins. A. The disciples eat with Jesus (Luke 24:30-31). 1. (vs. 30). At this point Luke writes And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. At the table Jesus assumed the role of host and He took bread, blessed it, broke it and then gave it to the two disciples. Note: This was not a miraculous meal like that of the five loaves, nor was it a sacramental meal like that of the Lord s Supper. It was a common or regular meal. Yet Jesus did the same here as he had done in those

16 other meals, to teach us to keep up our communion with God through Christ in common fellowships as well as in special ordinances. In addition, Jesus actions here were meant to encourage believers to seek God s blessing, and give thanks at every meal since He provides our daily bread. 2. (vs. 31). Now Luke says And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Just as Christ blessed and broke the bread, the eyes of the two disciples were opened and they knew him or recognized Him. Although these two were not in the upper room when Jesus broke bread at the Passover, they may have seen Him do this on other occasions (see Matthew 14:17-19). At any rate, this one act triggered both their physical and spiritual sight. Once their eyes were opened, they saw who it was because they knew Him well enough. Whatever it was that concealed His identity from them was now taken out of the way. There was no question that it was their Master. But just as soon as they recognized Jesus, Luke said he vanished out of their sight. The Lord disappeared! Jesus withdrew himself from them, and all of a sudden went out of sight. Note: We can t be positive, but it appears that Christ s body, after his resurrection was the very same body in which he suffered and died, with the marks in it. Yet His body was changed so much that it could become either visible or invisible as Jesus saw fit to make it. This was most likely a step towards the Lord s body being made a glorious body (see Philippians 3:21).

17 B. Burning hearts (Luke 24:32-33). 1. (vs. 32). Now convinced that they had been in the presence of the living Christ, these men said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? These two disciples thought about their experience with the risen Lord. When Jesus had taught the Scriptures to them (see vss ), their hearts burned within. They found Jesus preaching powerful, even when they didn t recognize the Preacher. He made things very plain and clear to them, and even more He brought both a divine heat and a divine light into their souls. These two disciples agreed that no one but Jesus, and no word but His could make our hearts burn within us. This man was no longer a stranger to them anymore. He was Jesus, who was now alive. Preaching is likely to do good when it is presented as Jesus did. It was plain preaching so that the two disciples could understand, and it was also scriptural preaching for they declared that Jesus opened to us the scriptures, the scriptures relating to Himself. The preaching or expounding of those scriptures which speak of Christ has a direct tendency to warm the hearts of His disciples, both to quicken and to comfort them. Note: When God opens up the Word to us in a special way, it will burn into our hearts (minds) until we reconcile with His truth. God s Word speaks to our spirits until we respond. 2. (vs. 33). At this point the two disciples felt the

18 urge to share their experience with the other disciples so they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. Wasting no time, the two disciples got up from the table and went back to Jerusalem to report what they had experienced to the eleven gathered together, a reference to the Eleven Apostles. Even though it was getting toward evening, now that they had seen Christ they could not rest until they had brought the good news to the disciples, which would confirm their trembling faith and comfort their sorrowful spirits. It s the duty of those to whom Christ has manifested Himself to let others know what He has done for their souls. The phrase and them that were with them indicates that there were other followers of Jesus present with the apostles. Acts 1:15 tells us that by this time there were about 120 believers in Jerusalem. C. Declaring the risen Saviour (Luke 24:34-35). 1. (vs. 34). When the two disciples returned to Jerusalem they found the apostles and those who were with them already rejoicing about the risen Lord Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. The reference to Simon is Simon Peter. Paul also mentioned that Jesus appeared to Peter when he was alone (see I Corinthians 15:5), but nothing more is said about that appearance in Scripture. According to John s gospel, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after He rose from the dead (see John 20: 1-16). Note: The accounts in this

19 lesson give credible and irrefutable evidence that Jesus Christ indeed rose from the dead and appeared in a real, glorified body. We all know what our lives are like because Jesus rose from the dead. But what would our lives be like if He hadn t been resurrected? The Apostle Paul, one of the eyewitnesses of the risen Lord describes things that would be true if Jesus had not been resurrected. First, our preaching and teaching would be useless: If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain (see I Corinthians 15:14). Second, our faith would be useless: If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain (see I Corinthians 15:17). Third, we would still be under the penalty of our sin: If Christ be not raised ye are yet in your sins (see I Corinthians 15:17). Fourth, we would be hopeless and miserable: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable (see I Corinthians 15:19). Finally, believers who have died are lost forever: And if Christ be not raised then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished (see I Corinthians 15:17-18). That would be true because our resurrection is based on Christ s resurrection (see I Corinthians 15:20-23; I Thessalonians 4:14). If He doesn t get up, neither will we! Paul concluded by saying that now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept (see I Corinthians 15:20). Therefore, our preaching has purpose, our faith is solid, our sins are forgiven, we experience true joy, and we have the confidence that we shall see our loved ones again. All this is true because Jesus Christ has risen! 2. (vs. 35). Our final verse says And they told

20 what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. The two disciples from Emmaus then told the other disciples who were present, about their own experiences with the risen Christ. First, what things were done in the way refers to how Jesus opened up the Scriptures to them as they walked to Emmaus. Second, they told how he was known of them in breaking of bread. Here they were saying that at first they didn t recognize Jesus, but after He broke bread with them, they knew it was the risen Lord. The fact that Jesus was recognized by the breaking of bread should remind us of the spiritual significance of the Lord s Supper, also called the breaking of bread in Scripture (see Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 10:16). VI. Conclusion. Jesus told His disciples many times that He would be crucified and rise again. They seem to have been oblivious to the message, even doubtful that it was true. But when they saw Him in His resurrected state, they remembered the words that He had spoken to them. Jesus has also said that He will come again to meet us in the air (see I Thessalonians 4:13-17). Let us be watchful and believing, remembering His words to us.

21 ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***