Day 115

Luke 24:36–53 (NIV)

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 Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance and 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.” 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.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

How do Jesus’ words about “peace” relate back to His birth and what the angels said about Him?

Why is it Important to see that Jesus really is flesh and blood?

What role does Jesus give the disciples? What does that say for our role?

Notes

vs 36-37 The disciples and others followers (perhaps the women, and definitely the two who Jesus talked to) are discussing the vision of the angels (vs 23) and the appearances of Jesus.

Jesus appears making them think He is a ghost. He first words to them Peace be with you. Remember what the angels said to the shepherds at the birth (2:14) It now is complete!

vs 37-43- Those in the room cannot picture Jesus actually being flesh and blood. They are scared. Jesus calms their fears and proves He is more than a ghost or vision by two things. First they can touch His wounds of the cross and see He is flesh and bone. Second He eats. It takes a while for the amazement to settle into the reality of what has happened.

44-45 Much the same conversation happens now that happened with the two on the road to Emmaus. What is key is that the Old Testament is not a separate part of God's revelation. Rather it points to God's ultimate revealing in the Christ. God's plan has been working from the beginning to reach this moment. Jesus not only talks but also opens their minds to hear and understand how it all fits together.

46-49

vs 46 ties what has happened to what will now happen. The story does not end with Jesus' role. It now changes to the role of the "witnesses" and their telling the story of repentance and forgiveness. And not just to Israel but to the entire world (2:32, Isa 49:6, Gen 12:3) . Jerusalem is the beginning but by no means the end. It is like a pebble being thrown into a pond. The waves continue circling outward far beyond where it starts.

The witnesses are to proclaim Jesus story, His suffering, rising, and His purpose in doing what He has done. While the disciples will be the messengers God will empower them to carry the message (12:11)

50-52 Jesus now leaves though He returns here and there for 40 days(Acts 1:3-ff, 1 Cor 15:6) The scene started with the disciples scared (vs 37) it now ends with them blessed. It starts with them doubting the story of resurrection, it ends with them worshiping and praising God for what He has done through Jesus the Christ! The peace Jesus brings also gives great joy! The next phase of their mission, the preaching, is outlined in Acts which Luke writes next. (Acts 1:1)