Luke 24 (5)

Pray Psalm 34.19, 20.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.

Sing Psalm 34.19, 20, 3.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
See the Righteous as He suffers: God will save Him from His pains.
All His bones He keeps through suff’ring, every one, intact remains.
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!

Read Luke 24.1-43; meditate on verses 36-43.

Preparation
1. How did the disciples respond to Jesus coming into their midst?

2. What did Jesus do to make Himself known to them?

Meditation
The disciples’ response to Jesus’ sudden presence among them is entirely understandable. His message, though, was one of peace (v. 36). That didn’t immediately console them, for they “supposed they had seen a spirit” (v. 37). Jesus rebuked them mildly for their “doubts”, but then He offered the proof to demonstrate that He was no mere spirit, but a Man of flesh and bones (vv. 38, 39).

No matter how much Jesus had done to prepare them for His resurrection, it was still very difficult for them to believe. Even after showing the marks of His suffering, “they still did not believe”—but because the very idea of Jesus being alive from the dead was too wonderful, too joyous, too marvelous to entertain (v. 41).

Well, they’d just have to stew in that for a bit longer. Jesus was hungry, and he asked if there was any food around (v. 41). He didn’t actually need the food, but it was His way of showing that He was truly alive, He was flesh and blood, and He had—somehow—been victorious over death. We can see the disciples tentatively pushing a bit of fish and honeycomb His way. They simply could not believe their eyes “for joy” (v. 41). What wonder and amazement must have struck them as “He took it and ate in their presence” (v. 43).

Jesus was alive—is alive, and He wants us to know it. He has brought us peace with God (v. 36). And because He is alive, our lives—and the lives of all who believe in Him—must take on a whole new purpose.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
One of the lame “go-to” excuses for not believing the truth of the resurrection is that the disciples came and stole the body. But if they had stolen the body, they would not have been as incredulous that this body was alive and standing in their midst. Their disbelief is great proof that He did, in fact, rise from the dead.

On the other hand, we would have liked to have seen a little more belief on their part. Jesus had told them repeatedly what was going to happen. And yet they were still comprehending-challenged. So, what about us?

Where do we stand? Those of us who have:
Once walked in darkness but have now seen a great Light; and
Once dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, but now upon us this Light has shined (Is. 9.2).

We have recorded for us in the Bible, all the proofs of His life and resurrection.
But would He ever have need to say to us:
“Why are you troubled?” or
“Why do doubts arise in your heart?” (Lk. 24.38)

“Peace to you” Jesus says to our hearts (Lk. 24.36).

We may indeed experience troubles and doubts, but they must never concern the resurrection. To doubt that, is to doubt Jesus; and to doubt God’s means of salvation for humanity.

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…” (Heb. 3.12-14).

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a king.
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
(Charles Wesley, 1744)

Long expected to be born, to live, to die, to rise, to live.
And because these promises were fulfilled, we, without a doubt, rest assured.

For reflection
1. Why do people today have such difficulty believing in the resurrection of Jesus?

2. How should we expect believing in the resurrection to affect how we live?

3. Is the resurrection of Jesus a source of peace for you? Explain.

We must also see that when the Savior appeared to his disciples, he immediately imposed on them the joys of peace. He repeated that same thing that is a part of the celebrated glory of immortality that he gave as a special pledge of salvation and life when he was about to go to his passion and death. “Peace I leave to you. My peace I give you.” The Venerable Bede (672-735), Homilies on the Gospels 2.9

Pray Psalm 34.8-17.
In prayer, review how you came to know the Lord. Thank Him for all the details by which He made it possible for you to see Jesus, believe, and be saved.

Sing Psalm 34.8-17, 3.
(Alleluia [Lowe]: Mighty God, While Angels Bless You)
Taste and see how good is Jesus; blessed are all who in Him hide.
None shall lack for any blessing who in Christ will e’er confide.
Refrain v. 3
Magnify the Name of Jesus!
Let us lift His Name in praise!

Though the beasts succumb to hunger, all who seek Him all things have.
Listen, children, I will teach you how to fear Him who can save.
Refrain

Who loves life?  Who longs for goodness? Keep your tongue from evil ways.
Turn to good, from wicked wand’ring; peace pursue through all your days.
Refrain

For the eyes of Jesus ever look to meet His people’s need.
Though He stands against the wicked, He will hear us when we plead.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.