Luke 24:36-53
Q.1. How did Jesus allay the fears of His disciples? What was the same, and what was different about His new body? – (Lk.24:36-43)
In his Gospel, John recorded that – the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst (Jn.20:19). The sudden arrival of Jesus would have startled anyone. Luke told us that they thought they were seeing a ‘ghost’ (Lk.24:37). Jesus greeted them with a ‘shalom to you’. Without being told what was troubling the disciples, He anticipated their fears and doubts. He invited them to touch His wounds. He then asked them for some fish to eat – which He ate before them (Lk.24:38-43). Jesus’ resurrected body could still reason, speak, hear, eat, and move, just like our bodies. However, His new body was able to pass through walls and materialize from place to place in a way He previously had not done. This explains part way why Jesus said it was to our advantage that He depart (Jn.16:7). Something far better than ageing and frailty is coming.
Q.2. What guide did Jesus give His disciples to help them interpret the Old Testament? Why is this important? – (Lk.24:44-46)
Though we believe that the redemption history is progressing as more truth unfolds, the Bible is enhanced as we look for Jesus in all the Scriptures. He told His disciples – … These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled (Lk.24:44). Much of the Old Testament is obscure until you find Christ within its pages. The minds of Israel were – … hardened for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains because it is removed in Christ (2 Cor.3:14). The reason was given by Paul – in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God (2 Cor.4:4). Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Christ. He most clearly revealed the heart of God for a lost world. He opens our hearts so that we can understand the Gospel, with the help of the Holy Spirit (Jn.14:26; 15:26).
Q.3. What task has Jesus given His followers? How extensive is this call? What makes such a massive mission do-able? – (Lk.24:47-49)
We are called to be witnesses, and to proclaim to the nations the Gospel of the forgiveness of sins for those who repent (Lk.24:47-48). It is a task made possible because of the One Who indwells and empowers us for this mission (Lk.24:49). The disciples were to await the visit of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, for this power from on high (Jn.7:37-39).
Q.4. How did Jesus leave His disciples? Would the disciples have changed without the resurrection and ascension of Christ? – (Lk.24:50-53)
There is every indication that the Christian faith would have died had Jesus not been raised in triumph. Jesus had died as the Passover Lamb during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. He had been raised on the day of the Feast of Firstfruits (1 Cor.15:20). He had appeared on and off for some forty days until the Day of Pentecost, in order to remind them that He would be with them always, even to the end of the age (Mt.28:20). His ascension just outside Bethany on the Mount of Olives – while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven (Lk.24:51c.f. Acts 1:9-11) must have seemed unreal. They would never be the same again.