JESUS IS LOVE PEACE BE WITH YOU LUKE 24:36-49 MARCH 27, 2016
LUKE 24:36-49 MARCH 27, 2016 TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying Luke 24:36-49. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > Pray for our pastors, the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the study. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: The resurrected Christ appeared to His disciples. TEACHING AIM: Because of Christ s resurrection we can experience peace with God, and thus peace in every circumstance. 2 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. 1 How does the world define peace? Notes: 2 Do you think peace is easy or difficult to attain? Explain your answer. 3 What are common culprits that steal our peace? Stress and anxiety are common in American culture. In fact, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illnesses in the United States and affect 40 million adults, or about 18 percent of the population. Common stressors include job pressure, money, relationships, health, media overload, sleep deprivation, and poor nutrition. Some statistics suggests that as many as 77 percent of people experience physical symptoms that are stress induced on a regular basis. People in our culture are desperate for peace. Biblical peace doesn t mean a lack of conflict, but rather a tranquility that comes from faith regardless of the circumstance. True peace can only be found in the finished work of Jesus Christ. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. > Have a volunteer read Luke 24:36-37. When Jesus arrived the disciples were having a conversation. Glance back to verses 34-35. What were the disciples talking about when Jesus arrived? 3 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 What is the first thing Jesus said to the disciples? What was their response? Why do you think they responded this way? When Jesus appeared in their midst, He startled the disciples and they feared they were seeing a ghost. Ironically, when Jesus appeared, the men were discussing the fact that Jesus had indeed been resurrected. However, their fear was understandable, considering Jesus suddenly appeared among them from behind a locked door. Realizing their fear, Jesus greeted them and said, Peace to you! Although this phrase was a traditional Jewish greeting that communicated a wish for communal well-being, in this case it takes on a greater meeting. In the Gospel of Luke, peace is used interchangeably with salvation. Jesus spoke of this peace just prior to going to the cross. Peace The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, is derived from the verb to complete or to make sound. It includes a sense of well-being and harmony. It denotes more than the absence of conflict and is more than a psychological state. The New Testament uses the Greek word eirene to denote peace. It refers to a personal state of being and also refers to an attribute of being in right relationship with God. > Have a volunteer read John 14:27. Whose peace does Christ give? How does Jesus differentiate Himself and the peace He offers from the world s peace? What does Jesus tell us about our hearts? Why is peace so desirable? Why do you think so many people lack peace in the midst of difficult circumstances? It is important to recognize that the type of peace Jesus is promising doesn t mean we will avoid conflict. The peace we can experience through Christ first relates to peace with God. Isaiah 9:7 refers to 4 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 Jesus as the Prince of Peace. In the New Testament, Paul makes it clear in Romans 5:1 that those who have been justified by faith in Christ enjoy peace with God. In addition, as Christ followers we can enjoy personal peace not because we will avoid troubles, but because we have faith that transcends trouble. However, this peace can only be found by faith in the finished work of Christ. Just as the first disciples struggled to understand, we too must come to terms with what we believe. Notes: > Have a volunteer read Luke 24:38-43. How did Jesus reassure the disciples of His identity? Did the disciples believe Jesus at first? What did Jesus ask of them in verse 41? Jesus calmed their fears and assured them of His identity by showing the disciples His scars. He even invited them to touch Him to verify that He was not a ghost. Then Jesus asked them for something to eat and ate in their presence. Clearly, Jesus showed He had a human body and was not a ghost. The disciples would later be called upon as eyewitnesses and could provide authentic accounts to His resurrection. Why do you think it was challenging for the disciples to comprehend what had taken place? How do you think you might have responded? 5 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 What are common obstacles that prevent us from experiencing the reality of the risen Christ? > Have a volunteer read Luke 24:44-49. What was Jesus referring to when He said, Everything about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled? What does verse 45 say He did next? What title does Jesus assign to His disciples in verse 48? The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms refer to the three major sections of the Hebrew Bible. Jesus was now explaining to the entire group what He had shared with the two men on the Road to Emmaus. Indeed, Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. He then told His disciples that they were His witnesses to what had taken place. When we have a true encounter with Jesus, we will experience peace. We live in a world filled with change and uncertainty, but only Jesus has the ability to drive out fear and doubt. We all desperately need the peace that only comes through the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Additional Scriptures on Peace But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:13-14 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. 1 How would you explain to a friend the peace that is available through a relationship with Jesus Christ? 6 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 2 In what areas of life do you need to rely on Christ to experience His peace? Notes: 3 Jesus described His disciples as His witnesses. Although we weren t eyewitnesses to His resurrection, the same title applies to us. How can you share Christ with those who need His peace? P R A Y Give thanks for Christ for His saving work on the cross. Ask God that each group member will experience an ever-increasing measure of His peace. Pray that God will provide group members with opportunities to share the gospel in Middle Tennessee and around the world. 7 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
TEACHING PLAN MARCH 27, 2016 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: How have you experienced Christ s peace this week? With whom have you shared the good news of the gospel? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. > The challenge to memorize Luke 24:36. 8 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY MARCH 27, 2016 LUKE 24:36-49 24:36. Unexpectedly, Jesus appeared. Again, he showed the nature of his resurrection existence. He could appear and disappear in surprising ways. The unexpected appearance brought the expected Hebrew or Aramaic greeting of Shalom peace, well-being, wholeness to all of you. Notes 24:37. Telling one another about the resurrected Christ s reality, the disciples did not expect to see him. His was a surprise visit. They did not know how to react. Terror reigned in their hearts. Could this be a ghost? You just do not expect to see dead people walking. Intellectual belief had taken hold, but the sudden physical presence was too much for their emotions. The truth had not sunk in to become a part of their emotions. Intellectual acceptance did not drive out their emotional surprise. 24:38. Jesus knew their thoughts and feelings and read their faces. Body language spoke louder than words. Calmly, he asked, Why do you react this way? No reason for fear and trembling. No reason to doubt the resurrection. It is really me. You can believe. You are seeing me. Calm your emotions. Clear your minds. Enjoy resurrection reality. 24:39. Come here! I will give you proof, he continued. Touch me. I still have flesh and blood like you do. I am not a ghost, some spirit without a body. Touch me and believe. 24:40 41. They looked at his hands and feet in particular. Apparently, they could still see the nail scars. Even this physical reality was not enough to overcome their emotional shock. It was too good to be true. They were so happy they could not believe it was really happening. They were so amazed they could not believe their eyes. Jesus had another approach. He showed he still had human needs. He was hungry. Could he have something to eat? 24:42 43. They found fish for him to eat. The resurrected Christ could do things humans cannot normally do, like appear and disappear. Still, the resurrected Christ shared certain realities with other people. He still retained the scars and wounds of life before death. All this took a while to sink in for the 9 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY MARCH 27, 2016 disciples. Resurrection faith was not easy, natural, and automatic. Resurrection faith took some time. It took getting used to. It required a calming of minds, a stirring of emotions, and a final unifying of mental and emotional faculties to believe that Jesus was risen. Notes: 24:44. Jesus referred back to the words He spoke, while I was still with you. In those pre-crucifixion times, Jesus told them what lay ahead for Him. Betrayal, death, burial, and resurrection happened just as He predicted. Jesus explained these events as a fulfillment of the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. All three divisions of the Old Testament (Law, Prophets, and Writings) witnessed to the place of a suffering yet victorious Messiah. Jesus claimed His place as the Messiah by virtue of having fulfilled what the Scriptures promised. 24:45. After stating the fact of this fulfillment of God s plan as announced in the Old Testament, Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. His earlier teachings about His work fell on confounded ears (see Luke 18:34). Possibly they did not want to believe the harsh truth that Jesus taught. Now, however, they grasped it. 24:46. Jesus reminded the disciples that the Old Testament proclaimed the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day. This statement summarized the essence of Old Testament teaching in light of Jesus mission as Savior. He knew that service to God required suffering and sacrifice. God, however, rewarded that service with spiritual victory. Jesus helped the disciples buy into God s perfect will. 24:47. Jesus specified the disciples part in carrying out the purpose of God. On the basis of their experience with Him, repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed. Repentance involves a change of mind and attitude toward God. It leads to forgiveness of sins and a new life. Telling this truth became the mission of Jesus disciples. A proclamation indicated a special message to be trumpeted in His name. Jesus name represented all that He accomplished, 10 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY MARCH 27, 2016 especially the cross and resurrection. The preaching of this lifechanging work to all the nations stated a radical truth: Jesus came to save even Gentiles. Many Jews considered Gentiles unable to receive God s forgiveness. This mission was to spread from Jerusalem, where the disciples were at the time. Notes: 24:48. As a result of what they learned from personal experience, the disciples became witnesses of the things they were to proclaim. Life with Jesus qualified the disciples to tell what they experienced in relating to Him. 24:49. Jesus left the disciples with the thought, I am sending you what My Father promised. This promise represented the power of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4,8). The church would still have the presence, power, and guidance of God. Jesus ordered His followers to stay in the city of Jerusalem until empowered from on high. They received a commission but also needed to be equipped with the main tool necessary to accomplish it. The Holy Spirit was essential to the success of the mission. The directive to proclaim repentance through forgiveness remains relevant for Christians today. Your experience with a resurrected Christ and empowerment through the Holy Spirit propels you to be on mission for God. What Luke summarized in these verses involved 40 days of interaction between Jesus and His followers (see Acts 1:3). Jesus spent these weeks after the resurrection preparing His followers to proclaim the gospel. JOHN 14:27 14:25-27. The Holy Spirit reminds us of truth that Jesus taught. In the case of the disciples, it was an immediate application to their spiritual memories. In our case, it is assistance in understanding and applying the Word of God. In their lives and ours, constant awareness of the Spirit s presence is a daily practicality. But Jesus also promised peace. Verse 27 reminds us of the early verses of this chapter: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Let us remember that these were troubled, frightened disciples. They needed assurance of peace. But they were not peculiar in that 11 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY MARCH 27, 2016 need. Peace of spirit and mind is an essential part of a healthy home, a healthy workplace, and a healthy life. But only those who have peace with God can have the peace of God. Notes: 12 Peace Be With You Brentwood Baptist Church