November 15: Luke 24, John 20-21

November 15, Luke 24, John 20-21

Luke & John continued…

Luke 24 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Luke records for us that the women went to the tomb where Jesus Christ had been laid to embalm Him. They saw no Jesus in the tomb and were perplexed! But they did see 2 men standing there in dazzling apparel. The angels said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” God will confirm what He promises!  The 3 Mary’s that just witnessed this went to the disciples and told them all that happened. Most considered the women to be telling tales. But not Peter. He got up and ran to the tomb and marveled that Jesus was not there, just His linens that He was wrapped in. What must have been going through his mind? 

On the Road to Emmaus. We learn here about 2 guys walking to a village named Emmaus (E-may-us), which is about 7 miles from Jerusalem (not a short distance to walk…). They were talking about all the events in the last couple of days and up walks Jesus. They didn't know it was Him, as He kept their eyes from recognizing Him. He asked them what they were discussing and what was the events that just happened. They looked sad. Cleopas said to Jesus, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Obviously this was a big deal in their area and they were saddened by it. Jesus often used questions as part of His ministry - not because He didn't know the answer, but to get people thinking and searching their hearts. He asked them what things they were talking about. They were specific. “And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” They said it well. Prophet. Mighty. Religious leaders killed Him. He is not in the tomb. Well summarized in my opinion! Jesus continued on the walk and He responded to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” They still didn't know it was Jesus… They kept walking the 7 mile journey together, the 3 of them, and they insisted that He come and eat with them and stay with them. “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” You know what this is like. You know when the Spirit of God is burning in you… They left and went and told The Eleven (term for the 11 disciples, not necessarily meaning that they were all there. It would be like saying The Senate had a meeting - doesn't necessarily mean that they were all there…). They exclaimed to the 11, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” They validated what the women had said and most likely had an incredible evening telling them about what Jesus had taught them. 

Jesus Appears to His Disciples. Picture this scene. They just heard the testimonies and were probably trying to grasp what was going on. “As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 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.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.” Do not doubt. Jesus is real. The real deal. 

Then Jesus explained to them that before He was crucified, He spoke to them everything that was said about Him so that Scripture would be fulfilled. Just then, He opened their eyes so that they could see what He was teaching them. He then explained to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.You are witnesses of these things. 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 was supposed to go through suffering and death, to be resurrected. They are now to go to all and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name - they saw Jesus and now they are to be eye witnesses to all of the things He said and did. 

The Ascension. This is also epic. “Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.” They watched Jesus before their eyes go up to heaven. We will learn a lot more about this in the book of Acts. 

John 20 The Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. John gives us yet more detail from another perspective. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early in the morning and the stone was already moved. She ran to tell Peter and John. John was often referred to as the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ and we can only imagine the relationship that they must have had. Peter & john ran to the tomb when Mary told them. John outran Peter and got there first, but did not go in yet. Peter went in and saw that there was only the linen cloths lying there, and no Jesus. John went in and they both didn't fully understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead, but they were soon to understand it… Peter & John went home.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene. Mary did not go home but stayed at the tomb weeping. She then saw 2 angels in dazzling clothes. The angel asked her why she was weeping. Mary explained that somebody had taken Jesus’ body and she couldn't find him. Get this! Picture this scene… Mary’s heart is so awesome! “Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” She thought Jesus was there to mow the lawn and maybe this guy had seen something. The scene continues, “Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.” Epic - Jesus revealed Himself to her and she worshipped. 

Jesus Appears to the Disciples. Mary had just seen Jesus. It was now evening time and the disciples were hanging out. “The doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews…” For good reason they were afraid. The religious leaders just killed Jesus and they were directly affiliated with Him. “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Jesus revealed Himself. Showed them his wounds and taught them on forgiveness. He also breathed the Holy Spirit on them - He promised that when He left, they would receive the power of the Spirit… this is only the beginning!

Jesus and Thomas. Thomas as been coined the name, Doubting Thomas, because of this section of Scripture. Thomas, one of the 11, wasn't with them when Jesus appeared to the rest of them. We are not told why nor is there any reason to speculate. Thomas would not believe the other disciples testimony that Jesus had risen from death - because He did not witness it. He flat out states, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” At least we know where he stands! “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas now believed and confessed that Jesus is His Savior. Jesus response was epic - “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We are blessed because we believe and have never ‘seen’ Jesus like Thomas did. 

The Purpose of This Book. What is the purpose? That we may believe that Jesus is the Christ and have eternal life with and because of Him! “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

John 21 Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples. After these events, Jesus appeared again to 7 of the 11… Peter, being the leader, decided to go back to fishing. The other disciples went with him. The caught nothing all night fishing. Skunked! Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore where they were fishing. “Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They listened to this man on the beach and “now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved (John) therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.” Peter was overwhelmed and jumped in to get to the Lord. Atta kid Peter! When they got to Jesus, He already had a fire going. They ate some breakfast together, that they just caught, and they all knew it was Jesus. Cool side note, even with them catching 153 fish, their nets did not rip - Jesus takes care of His kids. 

Jesus and Peter. Breakfast is done. Jesus turns to Peter and asks him some questions. Basically, Jesus asked him 3 times the same questions.The first question is just a bit different - “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Do you love me more than fishing, nets and the like. Peter responded, yes Jesus, you know I do. Jesus instructs him to feed His lambs (be a leader and take care of my people - lead them to Jesus). Jesus asked Peter 2 more times with more emphasis, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter’s response was very similar, yes. Jesus instructed him to feed His sheep. Peter was grieved that Jesus had to ask him 3 times (yet remember he denied Jesus 3 times…). What does it mean to feed Jesus’ sheep? Again, I turn to Bakers Commentary for some insight… “Just what does Jesus mean by this threefold charge which he gives to Peter? It is hardly probable that in speaking of lambs (verse 15), sheep (verse 16), and dear sheep (or dear little sheep; note the diminutive, but this may not have reference to age or physical size, but may be due to Christ’s tender affection for his own) he had in mind three different groups within the Church; for example, little children, adults, and young people. The notion that Jesus refers to age-groups is no more reasonable than the belief that in the allegory of the Good Shepherd (chapter 10) three different groups of people are indicated by the thieves, the strangers, and the hirelings.

Rather, while all three terms refer to the same flock of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, this flock is viewed from three different aspects. Believers and their children are looked upon, first of all, as lambs, for they are weak and immature; hence, in need of the strengthening food of the Word; secondly, as sheep, prone to wander and dependent in everything; hence, in need of being shepherded (see on chapter 10); and finally, as dear sheep, immature and in need of the tender and loving nourishment of the Word.

It is as if the Master says to Peter: “Simon, you were weak like a lamb, wandering like a sheep, yet, throughout it all, you, like a dear (“little”) sheep, were the object of my tender and loving solicitude. Now, having profited by your experiences (because of your sincere sorrow), consider the members of my Church to be your lambs, and feed them; your sheep, and shepherd them; yes, your dear sheep, and in feeding them love them! Do not neglect the work among the flock, Simon. That is your real assignment! Go back to it!”

Thus was Peter fully and publicly restored. With reference to shepherding the sheep and all that this implies, see on chapter 10. The metaphorical meaning of feeding—especially, as far as the character of the food is concerned—is explained in the following passages: Deut. 8:3; Job 23:12; Ps. 119:103; Is. 55:1, 2; Jer. 3:15; 15:16; John 6:33–35, 51, 58; 1 Cor. 3:2; 10:3, 4; 1 Peter 2:2; and Rev. 2:7, 17.”

Jesus and the Beloved Apostle - John. “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) following them… When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” We each have our own callings and futures. 

2 more things!

John, who wrote this book, says, “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.” John witnessed it and wrote about its truth. 

The finish and so explanatory!!!! “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.” I love reading this - Jesus did so many miracles and told so many stories and changed so many lives - there isn't a library big enough to contain it! I cant wait for heaven:)

To sum it all up: 

• What has God promised you and you are waiting for it to come true? Do not lose hope or faith.
• When God is burning inside of you - cherish it and worship Him. There is nothing better than being with Jesus!
• Jesus reveals Himself to us - and our response is to be like Mary’s - Worship Him
• Doubting is normal and it is one way that Satan tries to distract us from coming to God. Do not believe it - but cling to the Words of God for affirmation that you are believing in the only thing that is Truth - Jesus Christ. 
• What distances will you go to - to get closer to Jesus? You willing to drop it all and jump in to go after Him? Regardless of what people say or circumstances?