Daily Bible Readings
Devotion by Tom Siderius
Proving Jesus is Alive!
Yesterday we read and studied the record of the discussion of the two men and Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The two men are so startled and excited by what has happened to them that immediately in the night they go back to Jerusalem to find the apostles and tell them that they have seen Jesus.
Luke 24:33-(ESV) And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Then low and behold Jesus himself appears to them in their very midst! Think about their state of mind there. Simon Peter and others have seen Jesus in his resurrected body and are for sure telling the story over and over again. They are in an upper room or house and have the doors locked for fear of the authorities. Now this man appears right there with them. I’m outta here! How does a man appear here that Cleopas and companion are just telling us that they saw on the road and at their stop in Emmaus.
Why do you think Jesus shows himself first to the disciples on the road instead of going there to the apostles first?
Luke 24:36-42(ESV) Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them.
We’ve seen a ghost that just walked through the closed door into the room, flesh and blood doesn’t do that! What is the proof that Jesus shows them that he is not a ghost or spirit, and that he is truly the resurrected Christ? He shows them his hands and feet with the nail holes in them, the proof that he is their teacher and leader. Then he does something else to prove to them he is not a spirit but a resurrected man. He asks them for something to eat and then eats in front of them, and it doesn’t fall out of his stomach on the floor. He reminds them that he has told them he would be resurrected and that they should not be so surprised. Jesus knows just the right things to persuade them and then goes right to the gist of the matter which is teaching them what is going to come.
Why do you think that they were so incredulous about him appearing to them?
Opening Minds to Understand Scripture
Luke 24:45-46(ESV) Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead…”
Why is the third day so important?
Jesus tells us several times of the importance of this third day event. One reason for this is that in their culture at that time, a man or woman was not considered truly dead until they had been in the grave for three days. It also is the sign that God gave with the miracle of Jonah coming back from dead from inside the fish.
Luke 24:44-46(ESV) 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.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
Matthew 16:1-4(ESV) And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”
Witnesses With Power
The message of resurrection becomes the central theme of all the preaching that will come in the future, but Jesus needs to prime them up with confidence that they are the men to do the job. The next section gives us insight into the “how” of what happens to them.
Luke 24:47-49(ESV) and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 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.”
Jesus tells them to stay in Jerusalem until the power of the holy spirit is come to them. I’m pretty sure that they don’t have a clue about what this is going to mean, but I’m also pretty sure that they listened intently to his words. This is the record of the “great commission” here in Luke and parallels the other gospels. They are to be the witnesses (Greek “martys” which we get our word martyr from) of the resurrected Christ and all that has happened. They will preach and teach the sign of Jonah and the three days and three nights truth of what happened to all the world even till today.
Reflection Questions
- What is our responsibility in these events?
- In what ways and times have you felt your mind was opened to understand Scripture? Have you prayed for your mind to be opened?
- In what ways and times can you share your knowledge of and experiences with Jesus, the Son of God, and His Father?
Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven, we praise Your holy name for what You are and what You have done. Give us this day the boldness to speak Your Word about the truth of Your Son. May we be faithful witnesses of the resurrection of Christ to all we meet. Thank you for giving us this responsibility and the help to accomplish it. Thank you for Your spirit which you have empowered us with. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ
