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THE RISEN CHRIST

Question

THE RISEN CHRIST

Luke 24:1-53

Key Verse: 24:6

   "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was

    still with you in Galilee..."

1.  Describe the visit of the women to the tomb (1-12). Why did they

    go? What did they find? What was the message of good news they

    received? What did they remember?(9:22,44;18:31-33) What did they

    do? How did the apostles respond?

2.  Read verses 13-35. Why were these two disciples leaving Jerusalem?

    Why did they go back? Describe their encounter with Jesus. What

    facts did they know (19-24) about Jesus? Why were they so

    sorrowful? What did Jesus teach them?

3.  Read verses 36-49. How did Jesus reveal himself to his disciples?

    What did he teach them from the Bible and what command did he give

    them? What did he promise them?

4.  Read verses 50-51. Describe his ascension. What hope does this

    event plant in their hearts? What did the disciples do after this?

    Why were they so joyful?

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THE RISEN CHRIST

Luke 24:1-53

Key Verse: 24:6

   "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was

    still with you in Galilee..."

 

Luke the evangelist and historian does not develop theological

arguments on the resurrection of Christ; rather, he gives the evidence

of the resurrection of Christ from the dead to the women and to the

disciples on the basis of God's promise of his death and resurrection

in the Bible. He also tells us what happened in the hearts of those who

saw the Risen Christ. Therefore, in this passage, we don't want to

study the theory of the resurrection, but the evidence of the

resurrection. It is also amazing to know what the Risen Christ did.

When his disciples were in deep despair, the Risen Christ taught the

Bible until they opened their spiritual eyes to see the Risen Christ.

 

First, he is not here; he has risen (1-12)

 

   Look at verse 1. "On the first day of the week, very early in the

morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the

tomb." Who were they? They were the women who had followed Jesus from

Galilee all the way to Golgotha and saw his crucifixion. At the time of

Jesus' crucifixion and burial their hearts were broken. Still they

found out where the tomb of Jesus was and returned to their own places.

They must have stayed up all night in consuming sorrow. They must have

thought of Jesus who had been so good, but was crucified by evil men.

What they could do was to prepare spices to ornament the dead body of

Jesus. Very early in the morning, they went to the tomb to embalm his

dead body with their spices, so as to express their love for the dead

Jesus.

 

   They were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the

others with them who went to anoint Jesus' body. Mary Magdalene had

been very sinsick. But she was healed by Jesus. Since then she

dedicated her life to Jesus' ministry. They were happy to follow Jesus.

Luke 8:2a says, "and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits

and diseases...." They were happy to serve Jesus and his company with

their own means. Jesus was the meaning and joy of their lives. But when

they saw Jesus' unbearable suffering and crucifixion, they felt as if

they were in the place of Jesus. Their hearts were broken and their

souls lamented.

 

   Jesus was buried in a new tomb of Joseph. The tomb was closed by a

big stone.  But when the women came they found the stone rolled away.

When they entered they did not find the dead body of the Lord. Their

last hope of ornamenting the dead body of Jesus was frustrated. See!

Something unusual happened. Look at verse 4. "While they were wondering

about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning

stood beside them." Despite discrepancies regarding the men (Mt 28:2;

Mk 16:5; Jn 20:12), the men by the tomb were the Risen Christ who

appeared in the form of the angels. And their appearance was not

gloomy; it was indeed glorious. It reminds us of the glorious preview

of the Risen Christ on the Transfiguration mount. Mark 9:3 says, "His

clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could

bleach them." This also reminds us of the Risen Christ in Revelation

1:13, "...and among the lampstands was someone 'like a son of man,'

dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash

around his chest." To the women Jesus' death on the cross looked so

tragic. But it was not so. Jesus' death on the cross was the prelude of

his resurrection.  The Risen Christ gives eternal life to those who

believe in him. The Risen Christ gives the glorious kingdom of God to

those who believe in him. May God bless us to have eternal life and the

kingdom of God when we believe his promises.

 

   What did the Risen Christ say to them?  Look at verse 5. "In their

fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men

said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?'" These

women were looking for the dead body of Jesus, not knowing that Jesus

had risen. The angels kept on speaking to them. Look at verses 6 and 7.

"He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was

still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the

hands of sin- ful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised

again.'" During the time of his earthly ministry, Jesus had predicted

his death and resurrection to his disciples again and again (9:22,44;

18:31-33). These women, who until now had only overheard over the

shoulders of the disciples about his suffering, death and resurrection,

immediately remembered what Jesus said before his crucifixion. They

remembered Mark 14:28. It says, "But after I have risen, I will go

ahead of you into Galilee." When they remem- bered what Jesus had said,

their spiritual eyes were opened and they could recognize the Risen

Christ. They saw with their eyes the glorious Risen Christ. When they

heard the voice of the Risen Christ, sorrows melted from their hearts.

They felt their dead minds come back to life. In a moment, they were

overwhelmed by eternal joy overflowing in their souls. They had not

eaten for several days because of their sorrows. But out of nowhere,

they felt great strength in their bodies and souls. And they came

running and told what had happened to the apostles.

 

   How did the apostles respond to the women's words? They did not

believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

(11) They did not believe because they had no promise of God in their

hearts. Furthermore, they did not believe because of their habit of not

believing women's words. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb.

Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he

went away, wondering to himself what had happened. We can see here a

sharp contrast between the women and Peter. The women went to the tomb

with sorrowful minds. But they met the Risen Jesus and came back with

great joy, because the women could remember the promise of God that he

would come back. On the other hand, Peter, when he did not remember

Jesus' words concerning his death and resurrection, went to the same

tomb and saw only a few pieces of grave clothes. Here we learn that we

must remember the words of promise. When we are going to see the

glorious Risen Christ we must remember Jesus' words concerning his

suffering, death and resurrection. May the Risen Christ appear to you

when you have his words.

 

Second, on the road to Emmaus (13-35)

 

   This part is a story about two men on the road to Emmaus. Look at

verses 13-14.  "Now that same day two of them were going to a village

called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem." As a matter of fact,

they were running for their lives. "They were talking with each other

about everything that had happened."  Even though they were running for

their lives, the Risen Jesus came up and walked along with them; but

they were kept from recognizing him (15,16). Look at verse 17. "He

asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They

stood still, their faces downcast." "One of them, named Cleopas, asked

him, 'Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things

that have happened there in these days?'" (18) "'What things?' he

asked.  'About Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'He was a prophet,

powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief

priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and

they crucified him...'" (19,20) They had hoped in the earthly messianic

kingdom, and at the time of the crucifixion, they despaired. In

addition, they were even more startled and confused by some of the

women, who went to the tomb early in the morning, and reported that his

dead body was gone and that they had seen a vision of angels, who said

he was alive (22,23). Some of their companions also went to the tomb

and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see. They

were bewildered even more to know that his dead body was stolen. They

despaired when they saw good Jesus was condemned and crucified by evil

men. The story of Jesus' death and that his dead body was stolen made

them greatly startled. They despaired, not because of the factual

reality, but because of their unbelief.

 

   During the time of his earthly messianic ministry, Jesus taught his

disciples about his sufferings, death and resurrection repeatedly. But

his teachings concerning his suf- ferings, death and resurrection were

blocked by their own human desires that Jesus would rise to power as

the earthly messianic king and rule the whole world. When the events of

his death and resurrection actually happened, his disciples became

blank and remembered no words of Jesus. When Jesus was crucified on the

cross, they despaired and were on the way to Emmaus to live a hermit

life.

 

   But the Risen Christ followed them and rebuked them for their

unbelief. The Risen Jesus also began to teach them the Bible all over

again. And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to

them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning his death and

resurrection. Look at verses 25,26. "He said to them, 'How foolish you

are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have

spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter

his glory?'" "As they approached the village to which they were going,

Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But  they urged him  strongly,

'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he

went in to stay with them" (28,29). They invited Jesus to come in. Then

he went in to stay with them (Rev 3:20). When he was at the table with

them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to

them. Then, amazing things happened in their hearts. Their spiritual

eyes were opened and they recognized the Risen Christ. They wanted to

be with the Risen Christ forever. But the Risen Christ disappeared from

their sight, since he had completed helping them to open their

spiritual eyes to see God (31).  Here we learn that even after his

crucifixion the Risen Christ taught the Bible and was waiting for them

to open their spiritual eyes.

 

   What happened when they saw the Risen Christ? Look at verse 32.

"They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he

talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?'" Yes! A

miracle happened. Their dead minds became alive again. They got up and

returned at once to Jerusalem to proclaim the gospel of salvation where

Jesus had been crucified, and where secret police were scattered all

around to arrest Jesus' people. After meeting the Risen Christ they

became the witnesses of the Risen Christ. When they arrived in

Jerusalem, there they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled

together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared

to Simon." (34) Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how

Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. Their human

expectations were gone. On the other hand, they met the Risen Christ.

Without meeting the Risen Christ all mankind cannot but despair and end

up with the thought of death. But whoever meets the Risen Christ can

inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Third, after this, Jesus appeared to the disciples (36-49)

 

   The Risen Christ came into the upper room where the Eleven were

gathered.  Jesus said to them, "Peace be with you." (36) They were

frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. (37) They had been convinced of

his resurrection through many witnesses. Still, they were paralyzed by

fear. How did Jesus help them? Look at verses 38,39. "He said to them,

'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 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.'" Jesus died. But he has

risen. Jesus took and ate in their presence the piece of fish they had

given him. Let's read verse 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.'"

When Jesus taught them the Bible again and again, even after his

resurrection, their spiritual eyes were opened and they could

understand the spiritual reality. At the same time, the fear of the

devil left and the peace of God began to dwell in their souls.

 

   When they could see the Risen Christ, he gave them the world mission

command in the hope of saving all men from their sins. Let's read

verses 46-49. "He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will

suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and

forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations,

beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. 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.'"

 

Fourth, the ascension (50-53)

 

   Look at verses 50,51. "When he had led them out to the vicinity of

Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing

them, he left them and was taken up into heaven." The ascension of

Christ is the promise that he will come again (Acts 1:10,11). The

ascension of Jesus gives us the hope of the Second Coming of Jesus.

Jesus came to the world first as a Shepherd and Savior. But when he

comes again he comes as our King and Judge. He judges all men according

to the purpose of their lives (Ro 2:6-9). He gives the crown of life to

those who were faithful to him and he condemns those who did not accept

the love of God through Jesus.

 

   What happened when they saw the ascension of Jesus? Look at verses

52,53.  "Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great

joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God." The

ascension of the Risen Christ planted great hope and faith in the

hearts of his disciples.

 

   The tragic crucifixion was for our sins. The glorious resurrection

gives us eternal life and his kingdom. Moreover, the resurrection of

Jesus gives the peace of God to those who come to him while on earth.

May the Risen Christ dwell in your heart and give you peace.

 

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