Luke Part 3 Week 30

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:22-24 

²² “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. ²³ They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! ²⁴ Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 

The two followers of Jesus walking on the road to Emmaus did not realize it was Jesus walking with them. They continued to tell Him what had occurred in Jerusalem. One wonders if Jesus was smiling when they told Him about the empty tomb. Earlier the two in the tomb were referred to as “men” (Luke 24:4), but these followers referred to them as “angels.” The angels said, “Jesus is alive!” 

REFLECT 

Does this remind you that sometimes in our prayers we tell the Lord things He already knows? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about the fact that unbelievers can come up with theories about the empty tomb but no one denies the tomb is really empty. The resurrection of Jesus is a key belief of Christianity. His resurrection proved that He was and is God and that all He had claimed was also true.  

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:25-27 

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. ²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” ²⁷ Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 

Jesus was through asking questions and declared, “You foolish people!” They were slow to believe what the prophets said about the need for Jesus to suffer before entering glory. As they were walking “Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets.” This was a reference to the entire Old Testament that made reference to the coming Messiah. 

REFLECT 

How would you have liked to have been in that Bible study led by the Lord Jesus Himself? 

RESPOND 

Emphasize to people that today’s privilege of having a copy of the Scriptures is more important than the followers who walked with Jesus. After hearing an audible message people usually discuss what was said and what was meant, but the Bible is available to be read and reread; plus, the Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth (see John 14:16-17; 16:12-14).   

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:28-31 

²⁸ By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, ²⁹ but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. ³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! 

The Bible does not say who the person was with Cleopas as they walked to Emmaus. Some think it was his wife; others think it might even have been Luke. Inviting Jesus to stay overnight with them might argue more for a married couple. Notice they recognized Jesus when He broke the bread; likely exposing His nail-pierced hands. He disappeared the moment they recognized Him. 

REFLECT 

The Bible does not actually say how the two people recognized Jesus. “How” is not as important as the fact they did. This is also true of many other details the Bible does not give us.  

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about how to answer questions people will ask about details the Bible does not state. Although opinions can be given it is important you not insist on a particular view when the Bible does not actually say.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:32-34 

³² They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” ³³ And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, ³⁴ who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 

After Jesus disappeared, these two shared with each other how their hearts seemed to be on fire when Jesus talked to them about the Scriptures. Before the hour was up they were on their way back the seven miles to Jerusalem. On arriving they found the eleven disciples and others who exclaimed to the two followers, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” 

REFLECT 

What if you had been among the crowd with the eleven disciples, what would you have thought about the certainty of their announcement to the two followers of Jesus? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in Christian fellowship. Tell of your experiences when reading the Bible and some passage has spoken directly to you. Did it warm your heart in an unusual way? 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 24:35-37 

³⁵ Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. ³⁶ And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ³⁷ But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 

Jesus had disappeared when the two from Emmaus recognized Him. Now as they were telling their story to the disciples in Jerusalem, He suddenly stood among them. This had to be a surprised shock to them, but His first words were, “Peace be with you.” The group did not expect Jesus so they thought they must be seeing a ghost. 

REFLECT 

Have you had the occasion to see a friend after a long time apart from each other and did not recognize the friend at first? 

RESPOND 

It is one thing not to quickly recognize a friend who had been away for a long time. It was quite another for many in the group who thought Jesus was still in the tomb, but there He stood among them. As one reads the New Testament it is apparent that the resurrection of Jesus was a key truth presented in gospel presentations. Had He not risen from the dead, Christianity would be without any hope (see 1 Corinthians 15:12-19).