Luke Part 3 Week 29

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:8-10 

⁸ Then they remembered that he had said this. ⁹ So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. ¹⁰ It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened.  

The women were reminded of what Jesus had told them in Galilee about Him being betrayed, crucified and rising again on the third day. Then they remembered what He had said. Luke, the gospel writer, lists the women who were present and went to tell the apostles.  

REFLECT 

Some point out this as an indication of the inspiration of the Bible by God. Had men been writing it, apart from God’s inspiration, they would have had men be the key witnesses, not women. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about how excited you would have been had you been the first to announce that Jesus had risen from the dead. Even today, people can be reminded that of all the religious leaders, only the tomb of the Lord Jesus Christ is empty.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:11-12 

¹¹ But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. ¹² However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. 

The men were not impressed when the women told them the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter, who seemed always to be the first to speak and act, “jumped up and ran to the tomb to look.” Even he was mystified, however, when he looked in and saw the empty linen wrappings. He went home thinking about what he had just seen.  

REFLECT 

Some think the linen wrapping with all the spices on it made the form appear like the plaster of paris. The shell was there but there was no body in it.  

RESPOND 

In examining other gospel accounts, Matthew and Mark do not record anything about Peter’s experience. The apostle John was an eyewitness and it is significant what he wrote in John 20:1-10. Read this passage and discuss it with a friend. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:13-16 

¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him. 

This story is a favorite of many Christians. Two of His followers were walking to the village of Emmaus and had no idea their companion was the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Although Jesus resurrected body was similar to His body before His death, God “kept them from recognizing him.”  

REFLECT 

What would you think if you were unaware that Jesus was walking with you? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend how the believer’s privilege today is even greater than what His two followers had. They had Jesus walking with them, but now He lives in every believer. In this regard, read Colossians 1:27 and Hebrews 13:5-6. 

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:17-18 

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. ¹⁸Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 

As the Master Teacher, Jesus asked questions that He already knew the answers. One of the two Christ-followers is named in this passage but the other one is not named. Both are described as having “sadness written across their faces.” Cleopas explained that Jesus must be ignorant of all that had just occurred in Jerusalem during the last few days. 

REFLECT 

Let it be a reminder that no matter how you are feeling, Jesus knows all about your circumstances. 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Hebrews 4:12-13 and 1 John 3:19-20. Let it be of comfort to you that God knows every detail about you and yet loves you more than anyone else could. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:19-21 

¹⁹ “What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. ²⁰ But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. ²¹ We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.” 

Jesus continued to question the two travelers. He wanted them to express what they were thinking. It is apparent the two of them were knowledgeable about who Jesus was and what they hoped He had come to do. They knew He was a prophet, worker of miracles, and a mighty teacher. They also knew it was the priests and religious leaders who handed Him over to be condemned to death. 

REFLECT 

When you hear of people who say they don’t like “religion,” remind them that you do not either because it was religious leaders who wanted Jesus crucified.  

RESPOND 

Warn others not to be misled by some who are religious but are lost spiritually. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-9 to see what it will be like in the last days of the Church age. Notice what the apostle Paul said of these religious leaders in verse 5 of this passage: “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” Remember Paul’s instruction to stay away from false teachers. Are you doing that?