Luke 24

OGC

**Butler’s Comments

Chapter Twenty-four

THE SON OF MAN RISEN FROM THE DEAD

IDEAS TO INVESTIGATE:

Is there an alternative explanation for the empty tomb of Jesus besides the actual, bodily resurrection of Jesus from death?

Why did the angels have to remind the women of His prediction of resurrection?

Why did the apostles look upon the women’s report as an idle tale?

Why didn-’t the two disciples on the road to Emmaus recognize Jesus?

Since the women and others had already reported an empty tomb, why were these two disciples so despondent?

Where do the Old Testament prophets write about the Messiah’s death and resurrection? Why didn-’t the Jews believe what the prophets wrote?

How were the eyes of the two disciples opened?

When did the Lord appear to Simon?

Why were the disciples startled when Jesus appeared among them?

How is it possible to disbelieve for joy?

What was the promise of the Father yet to come upon the apostles?

ADDENDUM ON THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the fundamental fact of Christianity. Without it there can be no Biblical Christianity. Without it there is no hope for mankind. Paul makes it the one absolute essential to faith, morals, brotherhood and proclamation (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). Without the bodily resurrection, in time, in space, in history, established on empirical evidence, the death of Christ is vain, the faith of the Christian is vain, the preaching of the church is vain, and Christians are, of all men, most to be pitied. So we here offer this study in the hope that believers will have their faith founded on this fact of history and that unbelievers will, in honesty and openness, be persuaded to believe in the living Christ.

BASIC ATTACKS ON THE RESURRECTION

Denial of the authenticity of the gospel accounts, or a denial of their credibility.

Explaining the gospel miracles as myths.

Making faith in God a matter of subjective experiences or feelings and, therefore, declaring the factuality of miracles and the bodily resurrection irrelevant to being a Christian.

II.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THE LAWS OF EVIDENCE APPLIED TO THE QUESTION OF THE FACTUAL TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY (excerpts from an article by John Warwick Montgomery, entitled, Legal Reasoning and Christian Apologetics, Christianity Today, 2-14-75).

The ancient documents rule:

Ancient documents will be received as competent evidence if they are fair-on-their-face (i.e. if they offer no internal evidence of tampering) and have been maintained in reasonable custody (i.e. if their preservation has been consistent with their content).

Applied to the gospel records, and reinforced by responsible lower (textual) criticism, this rule would establish their competency in any court of law.

The parol (i.e., oral, word of mouth) evidence rule:

External, oral testimony will not be received in evidence to add to, subtract from, vary, contradict an executed written instrument such as a will.

Applied to the Biblical documents which expressly claim to be executed and complete (Hebrews 9:15-17; Revelation 22:18-19), this rule insists that Scripture be allowed to interpret itself and not be twisted or contradicted by external, extra-biblical data (such as comparative New Eastern religious texts and practices, new hermeneutics, Form Criticism methods, etc., etc.).

The hearsay rule:

A witness must testify of his own knowledge, not on the basis of what has come to him indirectly from others.

This demand for primarysource evidence is fully vindicated in the New Testament documents by the constant claim of its authors to be setting forth that which they have seen and heard and handled (touched) concerning the Word of Life… (1 John 1:1-4).

In the document of Luke, he nowhere claims for himself eyewitness primacy, but he does so for his sources, (Luke 1:1-4).

The related cross-examination principle:

All trials proceed upon the idea that some confidence is due to human testimony, and this confidence grows and becomes more stedfast in proportion as the witness has been subjected to a close and searching cross-examination.

Applied to the New Testament message of the first century, this rule underscores the reliability of testimony to Christ’s resurrection which was presented in the very teeth of opposition (in Jewish synagogues and among Greek and Roman philosophers and rulers) among hostile cross-examiners who would certainly have destroyed the case for Christianity had the facts been otherwise.

Just such rules of evidence sufficiently settle issues of life and death in human societyand always haveeven in the most primitive societies. They are sufficient for believing in historically documented facts upon which to establish faith and action in religion (as they are for scientific and legal matters).

III.

TREATISE ON THE LAW OF EVIDENCE (excerpts from the writings of Simon Greenleaf, 1783-1853, U.S. legal educator, head of Harvard Law School in 1846; drafted original constitution of Independent Republic of Liberia; classed with the world’s greatest legal minds such as Kent and Blackstone; president of Massachusetts Bible Society for many years; wrote, the Testimony of The Evangelists).

A. Principles

To establish the historicity of the facts of Christianity, nothing more is demanded than is readily conceded to every branch of human science!

Christianity does not profess to convince the perverse and headstrong, to bring irresistible evidence to vanquish every question. All it professes is to propose such evidence as may satisfy the disciplined, teachable, honest, serious searcher for truth.

The foundation of Christianity is based on facts. These facts are testified to as having occurred within the personal knowledge of the Gospel writers. Christianity, then, rests upon the credibility of these witnesses. Are they worthy of implicit belief? This is the question in all human tribunals in regard to persons testifying before them.

Precepts

Every document apparently ancient, coming from the proper custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise. We are entitled to assume the texts of the Gospels are genuine until the contrary is shown conclusively with empirical evidence.

If it be objected that the originals are lost, and that we have only copies, the principles of municipal law apply here also. For if any ancient document concerning our public rights (our Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc.) were lost, copies which had been as universally received and acted upon as the four Gospels have been, would have been received in evidence in any court of law without the slightest hesitation.

In trials of fact, by oral testimony, the proper inquiry is not whether it is possible that the testimony may be false (as critics approach it) but whether there is sufficient probability that it is true!

In weighing the evidence of any proposition of fact, the question to be determined is, when may it be said to be proved. A proposition of fact is proved, when its truth is established by competent and satisfactory evidence beyond reasonable doubt.

Competent: Such as the nature of the thing to be proved requires. (seeing, hearing, touching, etc.).

Satisfactory: Amount of proof which ordinarily satisfied an unprejudiced mind beyond any reasonable doubt.

Sufficiency: Enough to satisfy the mind and conscience of an honest man and cause him to act upon that conviction.

When one has this degree of certainty, it is unreasonable to require more.

In the absence of circumstances which generate suspicion, every witness is to be presumed to be credible, until the contrary is shown. The burden of impeaching his credibility lies upon the objector.

Honesty: All witnesses are entitled to the benefit of the axiom that men ordinarily speak the truth, when they have no prevailing motive or inducement to the contrary. If the testimony of the gospel writers is false why would they have lied to bring upon themselves all the misery and persecution of Christianity’s enemies?

Ability: The ability of a witness to speak the truth depends on the opportunities he has had for observing the fact, the accuracy of his powers of observing and discerning, and the faithfulness of his memory in recalling the facts. We can at least grant to the gospel writers the abilities of most human beings until the contrary is shown. This is the procedure of legal justice. Matthew was a tax-collector; Luke was a physician; both were trained in such abilities to remember and record facts.

Number and consistency of witnesses: Enough disparity is needed in the witnesses (as to time separations, geographical separations, etc.) to show there was no collusion. Enough agreement in the documents of the witnesses is needed to show they were independent recorders of the same great events.

Conformity of testimony with experience: What the gospel writers witnessed and testified to was experienced or seen and heard by others (cf. Acts 2:22, etc.).

Coincidence of testimony with collateral and contemporaneous facts and circumstances:

Had the evangelists been false historians, they would not have committed themselves on so many particulars.

Had the evangelists been false historians, they would not have furnished their enemies with such documents for bringing them into discredit with their audiences.

It is not possible for the wit of man to invent a story, which if closely compared to the actual occurrences of the same time and place, may not be shown to be false.

Comparing the gospels to the histories of that era proves their authenticity.

False witnesses will not willingly or consciously detail any circumstances in which their testimony may be open to contradiction. Nor will they multiply circumstances where there is danger of comparisons that could be made and exposure made.

False witnesses deal in general statements and broad assertions. When forced to use names and particular circumstances they will try to invent such as will be out of reach of all investigation and opposing proof. THIS IS NOT SO WITH THE GOSPELS!

It should be clearly settled in the mind of honest investigators that the Biblical documents known as the Gospels meet all the principles and rules of legal and scientific evidence herein proposed. IV.

THE GOSPELS ARE NOT MYTHS

Rudolph Bultmann, celebrated theologian, says, the message of Christ provides religious truth, but not historical facts.

Jesus of Nazareth, according to Bultmann, was merely a man about whom we know very little.

Whatever the Gospels say about Jesus cannot be taken as historically true except for a few facts such as his life in first century Palestine, his trial under Pontius Pilate, and his death by crucifixion. The rest must be myth and fable created and compiled by the early Christian believers.

These early believers used the religious myths of the virgin birth and the resurrection to ascribe divinity to Jesus. The myth concept is popularized in books like The Passover Plot.

Myths compared to the Gospels

In Homer’s Odyssey there is the myth of Circe, an evil enchantress who lured men into her garden and then changed them into pigs. In the same Greek mythology is the myth of Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops who killed and ate some of Odysseus-’ men who hid in his cave. Aesop’s Fables are a form of myth.

But the gospel accounts are factual documents describing a man named Jesus who lived and died and was resurrected completely and bodily within the realm of history.

Mythological gods lived in the imaginary realm of the unseen on Mount Olympus or some other unknown and unseen place, and never performed their alleged deaths or resurrections in real life as real-bodied beings. They could never be verified historically.

Christ’s resurrection happened only once! Mythological gods were resurrected constantly, according to the annual changes in seasons.

J. Gresham Machen in The Origin of Paul’s Religion, says, most of these mystery religions did not exist in the form which the critics say is like Christianity.

Only some forty days after the death of the historical person Jesus, His disciples were proclaiming to their contemporaries the detailed facts of His return to life in the same body buried in the tomb. Mythological characters took many generations and often, centuries, to develop and gain followers.

Even if the disciples of Jesus had borrowed (which no evidence shows they did) from the myths prevalent in their day it would have taken longer than forty days to establish the Jesus-myth. Extant portions of copies of manuscripts of the Gospel accounts date back to within 50 years of the eyewitnesses of Christ’s life!

The history of the Jews (and Jesus-’ apostles were Jews) during the first century A.D. and before shows they were violently opposed to Greek and Roman religious mythology. So Jesus-’ apostles would have been seriously anti-mythology.

If the resurrection of Christ was a myth, why encumber it with the details of a common human existence which made it open to investigation by its enemies! Placing the hero of this alleged Christ-myth in their own time, instead of saying it happened centuries before their time, these apostles would have robbed their story of the enormous prestige of antiquity. Surely, they would have been as intelligent as other myth-makers.

If the resurrection of Christ had been nothing more than a myth, the witness to it would have been just as palatable as the hundred other myths were to the pagan civilization of their day. Myths required no sacrifice to believe, hardly ever did they involve persecution, and they usually permitted gross indulgences of the flesh. History shows that the message of Christ’s atonement and resurrection was not palatable to those devotees of contemporary mystery religions and the same is still true today! CHRIST’S RESURRECTION IS NO MYTH!

SUBJECTIVE OR FEELING RESURRECTION IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED

We cannot prove the resurrection as an historical fact and we do not need to. what the church needs. is the testimony of persons who. say that Christ has appeared to them. and that they have experienced his presence in some of the crises of meaningful experiences of their lives. by Dr. J. Daniel Joyce, dean of the Graduate Seminary, Phillips University, in The Christian, 3-30-1969.

Christians need not affirm that Christ rose from the dead at all. so far as its having literal historical significance, it has become excess baggage for most of us. Dr. D. W. Ferm, Presbyterian minister in Newsweek, 3-3-1972.

Rev. John Burke, P.O., executive director of the Word of God Institute, a Catholic organization, quoted in the Los Angeles Times, 9-5-1977: said he did not know of -any credible biblical scholar who would hold for a bodily Resurrection.-’ Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Supplementary Volume, article by F. W. Saunders says the earliest form of Resurrection accounts among the first Christians may have been the experience of Peter and his brethren in coming to faith, -seeing-’ that Jesus was not a martyred prophet but in very fact Lord and Christ enthroned in glory. The mystery of that conviction is the mystery of faith. ALL SUBJECTIVE! NOW CONTRAST THÈSE STATEMENTS. WHICH DO YOU THINK REPRESENTS WHAT, USING THE NORMAL RULES OF UNDERSTANDING HUMAN LANGUAGE, THE GOSPEL WRITERS INTENDED THEIR READERS TO UNDERSTAND?

B*.*

The greatest derangement of the human mind is to believe because one wishes it to be so. Louis Pasteur

The heart cannot delight in what the mind rejects as false.. The beauty of the gospel in the avalanche of competing religious claims is precisely the possibility we have of checking it out historically and factually. Clark Pinnock, in, Set Forth Your Case. The gospel is good news of God, not news of man. it has as its first concern not what man must do, but what God has done. It asks, Since God has so acted, what ought we men do? The Christian message demands attention not because it may be helpful, but because it is true.. Sidney Cave, in, The Christian Way.

Facts → Testimony → Faith → Feeling, in that order and none other! Because the power of faith (like prayer) rests not in the faith (or in prayer) itself but in the object (God and Christ) of the faith.

It is not choosing nor refusing; it is not loving, hating, fearing, desiring or hoping; it is not the nature of any power or faculty or capacity of our being, nor the exercise of them but the objects or things upon which they are exercised which give us pleasure or pain; which induce us to action, or influence our behavior.

The nature of God, demonstrated by the deeds of God, transmitted to us and imprinted upon our nature through the testimony of language transforms us into His image. Alexander Campbell, in, The Christian System.

The validity of Jesus rests not on how he makes us feel but on the historical facts of the first century. Getting high on Jesus is a dangerous step toward emotional insecurity. Christianity is not limited to our subjective feelings. else whenever we are depressed or frustrated, our faith is almost worthless. Christianity is sure no matter how many times we fail because it is factual. Christianity is not invalidated by our lack of success. Dr. James North in San Jose Bible College Broadcaster, March 1974.

Our hope in the resurrection is not based on subjective feelings.

Christianity based on subjectivism or existentialism is like impressionistic artits beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Such Christianity is validated by feelings, not by facts.

Any outlook which over emphasizes the subjective in religion and disregards rational objectivity can neither invalidate a false revelation nor validate a true one. If you are sincere in your search for the Real, you must not repudiate the Rational.

Man trusts, has assurance, loves, acts morally, and hopes on the basis of what God has done, historically, in the past. God has given man a trustworthy record of His redemptive action.

Validating one’s religion primarily by one’s subjective feelings makes one his own god and that is no better than any other form of idolatry.

The Gospels (and the whole New Testament) are authentic, trustworthy historical records by eyewitnesses that God entered history in the Person of Jesus Christ, died to atone for sin, arose from the dead bodily, and ascended into heaven. The Bible does not ask us how we feel about that, but rather, do we believe it and are we willing to obey it! Redemption does not depend on what one feels about these things, but on what one believes and does about them. This is objective faith.

The difficulty many people face is that subjective faith is almost like objective faith in what it professes. But subjective faith shifts faith to feeling and says we really don-’t have to concern ourselves with the historical details of the gospel so long as we feel all right inside. It shifts faith from what God has done, as its focus, to what God is doing now inwardly. Salvation has changed focus, here, from the cross and the resurrection to the emotional experience of the person. This is the existential leap in the dark whether preached by Barth or Graham!

VI.

REFUTATIONS OF ATTACKS ON THE HISTORICITY OF THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD

The Empty Tomb

Attack: The earliest attempt to explain away the empty tomb was that of the Jewish leaders giving money to the guards to say the apostles had come and stolen His body while they slept (Matthew 28:11-15).

Refutation: To imagine that the disciples could have done that without waking the guards is incredible. To imagine the guards could verify the disciples had stolen the body while they slept is unacceptable. To imagine the disciples did steal the body and then laid their necks on the block for what they knew was a hoax is preposterous!

Attack: Another attempt to explain the empty tomb is that Jesus-’ enemies (the Jewish rulers) or Roman officials removed His body.

Refutation: Seven short weeks after His death Jerusalem was seething with the preaching of the resurrection. If the Jews or Romans had known where His body was it was rather stupid of them to keep it hidden and allow credence to this uproar. And the Jews were upset about this preaching! Why didn-’t they produce His body and squelch that preaching once for all? Quite clearly, they could not because His body was not in the tomb and they did not know where it was!

Attack: Another theory is that the women, strangers in Jerusalem, half awake, half scared, blinded by tears, went to the wrong tomb. A young man was hanging around there, and guessing what they wanted, said, You seek Jesus. He is not here (pointing to the tomb they were looking at). Behold the place where they laid Him (pointing to another tomb). The women became frightened and ran away. Subsequently they decided that the young man was an angel proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus.

Refutation: First, this attack is a dishonest statement of what the gospel record saysit leaves out the statement of the angel, He is risen! As we see from the gospel records the women were at the tomb more than once and knew precisely where it was. They witnessed the burial. Joseph knew where his own tomb was. Why did he not come forth and correct the women if the resurrection story was built on a simple mistake about the place of burial?!

Attack: Finally, there is the theory that Jesus did not die, but fainted. They thought He was dead so they allowed Him to be taken down, placed in a cool tomb where He revived and was able to come out of the tomb and appear to His disciples. They, being the ignorant men they were, could not believe that He had just fainted and gotten over it so they went out preaching that He was raised from the dead.

Refutation: If Jesus had not died on the cross He would have to have died eventually of some cause, so the enemies of Christianity merely had to take note and point out the dead body to stop the story of a bodily resurrection. Furthermore, a man already physically exhausted, hanged on a cross for 6 hours, run through with a spear, allegedly gets up after three days and nights in a tomb and rolls back a huge stone that several women could not handleagain it is incredible! The crucifying soldiers declared Jesus dead. How could men whose business was execution make such a mistakewhen their own reputation, and perhaps their lives were at stake with their superiors. Pilate checked their report and was satisfied Jesus was dead. The Jews were satisfied He was dead and not merely swooned when the soldiers reported all that had happened.

The record says there was an empty tomb. Either it was or the documents are false. The record says the reason the tomb was empty was that its occupant arose from the dead and was seen alive after dying. This is the record of eyewitnesses. Some have theorized explanations for an empty tomb other than a resurrected occupant. The gospel writers claim to be writing eyewitnessed accountswhich are most believable to you? In the public preaching to non-believers in the book of Acts there is enormous emphasis on the resurrection but not one reference to the empty tomb. Why? Because there was no point in proving the empty tomb since everyone, friend and foe alike of the first century, knew it was empty.

The Appearances of Jesus After His Resurrection.

Attack: Unbelieving critics explain the gospel accounts of Christ’s appearances as hallucinations or some form of psychological or pathological experience. Refutation:

Hallucinatory experiences commonly conform to certain rules which do not apply in the case of Jesus-’ appearances:

(1)

Only certain types of persons have experiences called hallucinatory (the type we call high-strung-highly emotional, nervous). Do all the hundreds of eyewitnesses to the appearances of Jesus (over 500 at once) fit into this category?

(2)

Hallucinatory experiences are highly individualistic (that is, private) because they are linked to the subconscious and the peculiar past of individuals. Two different people, with different pasts, will not have the same hallucination. Yet over 500 plus the eleven, plus the ten (Thomas absent), plus the seven, plus three or four women, plus Peter, had the same hallucination, all within forty days, and over 500 all at the same time! More difficult to believe than the actual bodily resurrection!

(3)

Hallucinations commonly concern some expected or eagerly anticipated experience. Yet the gospel’s are emphatic in declaring the witnesses did not expect a resurrection.

(4)

Hallucinations usually occur in suitable surroundings and circumstances. But look at the resurrection appearances: one at the empty tomb, very early in the morning; one during an afternoon walk in the countryside; one or two in the full light of day.

(5)

Hallucinations usually keep appearing to individuals over and over until some crisis occurs. At the end of forty days not one of these men or women claims to have had such an experience again, until we come to the one-time appearance of the risen Christ to Saul of Tarsus.

Attack: Unbelieving critics try to explain the gospel accounts of Christ’s appearances as the practice of spiritism, seances, etc.

Refutation: There is not one medium mentioned or anything resembling a seance. Jews were strictly forbidden to practice necromancy. When Jesus appeared, according to the record, He was not some ghost-like apparatus like smoke or a sheet, but a real-life person in a body who ate with them and showed them the scars in His hands and side and feet. Such an attempt to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus as it is recorded in the gospels is desperate grasping at straws.

Attack: The Telegram Theory which says The ascended Lord (ascended in His spirit, not in his body) telegraphed back pictures of Himself to the minds of the apostles in such a vivid way they were led to believe they had seen the risen Lord in their midst.

Refutation: This is almost more miraculous than the actual resurrection. It makes Christ a deceiver of the apostles and the apostles deceivers of the whole world. Then the apostles and millions more of Jesus-’ followers gave up their lives gladly for such a deception.

Through the twenty centuries since Jesus arose, attacks upon the gospel records have come and gone. They keep repeating themselves. There is really nothing new under the sun from the unbelieving attacks upon the gospels. If an unbeliever says Jesus was not raised from the dead, bodily, I say, prove it! The burden of proof is with the doubterhe must produce evidence, historical, empirical, scientific evidence which, beyond any reasonable doubt, contradicts the eyewitnessed testimony of people who were there, who saw and heard. Theories, assumptions, speculations and philosophies will not be satisfactory. It is not a question of whether a resurrection could or could not occur. The question is, did it or didn-’t it. The question is not to be resolved theoretically or philosophically, but scientifically, empirically and legallyon the basis of evidence and testimony. The answer is, Yes, beyond any reasonable doubt, the resurrection, bodily, of Jesus Christ, did occur.

VII. RELEVANCY OF THE RESURRECTION

If Christ arose from the dead, then the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself and His redemptive system for man and creation.

The Bible is the only direct revelation of God to man, and it is the final one.

Both Old and New Testaments are confirmed, verified and fulfilled in Christ and His redemptive work.

All of this is established on the basis of Christ’s historical, bodily resurrection.

If Christ arose from the dead, then the Church of the New Testament is God’s divinely appointed institution on earth in which His redemption is to be appropriated.

Without the resurrection of Christ as its basis, the church becomes simply another social institution founded by unredeemed and dying men.

There is only one church sanctioned in the New Testamentthat is the one obeying the precepts and principles of the New Testament.

Any man or woman in the world may become a member of that church by believing that Christ is who He claims to be and by being immersed in water in obedience to Christ’s command.

There is no promise of redemption to anyone not a member of Christ’s church.

All that men do as members of the church is relevant only because Jesus arose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:58).

There is no psychological benefit to anyone in baptism, or the Lord’s supper, or stewardship or prayer, if Christ is not alive and if His resurrection is not an historically provable event.

His death on a cross in Palestine in the days of Pontius Pilate is not only tragic, but irrelevant to me or anyone else if He is still dead, and not bodily resurrected from the dead.

There is no reason for me to be immersed in water, attend worship services, live a morally clean life, pray or read the Bible if He is not risen from the dead.

In fact, there is no such thing as any moral absolute if He is not risen from the dead.

Jesus is coming again, bodily, as the apostles saw Him go into heaven.

The only verification that He is coming again is His resurrectionnot signs of the times (cf. Matthew 24:36; Matthew 24:42; Matthew 24:44; Matthew 25:13, etc., with Acts 17:30-31).

Heaven is real, hell is real, justice will be done, men and women are lost, the world is doomed to destruction supernaturally.

Evangelism is imperative.

If Jesus had not risen bodily from the dead, none of the above would be worth believing or doing.

The resurrection of Christ is the message, redemption is the result.

Man has one alternative to the imperatives of the resurrection.

That alternative is not stoicismthe grin and bear it way. There is too much trouble and injustice for that way.

It is not Pharisaismthe playing like I-’m holy way. That does not get rid of guilt, hopelessness or frustrationit only intensifies it.

It is not humanism or altruismbelieving in the prevailing goodness of man. Man is not prevailingly good. That is demonstrated every day of man’s existence. He is not creating any utopias for himselfonly problems.

SO WHAT IS THE ONE ALTERNATIVE?

The one alternative to believing and living in accordance with the way of the resurrected Jesus is:

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die (1 Corinthians 15:32).

If Christ is not raised, let’s not play church or play good or play anything but self-indulgence.

Barbaric, animalistic hedonism is the only alternative to faith in Christ.

But in Christ, living by faith in the testimony of His bodily resurrection, and living in the hope of your own resurrection to eternal life, my friend, there is fulfillment, satisfaction, joy and accomplishment.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

May God make this the blessing of your life for having studied and believed the gospel, according to Luke.

STUDY STIMULATORS:

Name the four possibilities the women might have considered as an answer for the empty tomb. Are there any other possibilities? Which do you think you would have thought about had you been one of the women?

Why did the apostles and other disciples of Jesus not remember His predictions of His resurrection? Why do people not believe it today?

Why were the two disciples on the way to Emmaus so despondent?

Would you walk seven miles to tell someone you had evidence that Jesus was arisen from the dead? Why?

What do you think about the idea that Jesus materialized and/or became invisible instantaneously as He wished to after His resurrection?

What did Jesus spend His time doing during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension? Does this give us any clue how important such activity is?

What were the powers the Father promised the apostles? Are they promised to any other Christians?

When Jesus parted from the apostles, where did He go? Do you think of Jesus as alive nowas much alive as He was when He companied with the apostles in a fleshly body?

If someone said to you that religion’s faith is different than matters of proving something scientifically or legally, what would you answer?

What if your brother or sister, or your child, returned from college and told you he/she had been taught by a religion professor that Christianity is based on ancient mythwhat would be your answer?

Has one of your neighbors ever told you that religion is all feeling and the facts do not really matter? How did you answer? What do you think nowis it important to answer that allegation?

If you were challenged with the proposition that the tomb where Jesus had been buried was never empty, but that the women went to the wrong tomb, how would you answer?

What would you say if someone said that what the disciples saw when they reported having seen Jesus, were hallucinations?

What about all these theologians, churches and christians who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus but continue to go to church and consider themselves followers of Jesus? If you did not believe Christ actually arose from the dead, bodily, would you be a Christian? What would you live like if you didn-’t believe it?

FIRE IN MY BONES

(Jeremiah 20:7-8; Jeremiah 20:14-18)

A Biographical Sermon on Jeremiah for OBC Chapel, Dec. 4, 1979 by Paul T. Butler

I preached this sermon 16 years ago in Chapel, September 24, 1963. There is some revision now, but since only about 6 or 7 of you could possibly have heard it then, its repetition-should not offend too many of you.

INTRODUCTION

DISCOURAGEMENT AND DESPONDENCY

About 2600 years ago a discouraged, despondent, despairing preacher (the son of a clergymanpriest) sat struggling with the innermost conflicts of his soul.

He was ready to quit the ministry! In fact he was cursing the fact that he had ever been born. He felt like he was at the breaking-pointthat he could go on no longer. He would prefer to give up and be done with the overwhelming feeling of failure.

There are a lot of people who ask, How can a preacher ever get discouraged? There is a lot of pseudo-Christianity being hawked by the hucksters today which gives the impression that being a Christian is one continual highif ever you have a low you cannot be a man of God.

Francis Schaeffer has this to say: Anybody who asks that has never been in the midst of the battle; he understands nothing about a real struggle for God.

And. It is possible to be faithful to God and yet to be overwhelmed with discouragement as we face the world. In fact, if we are never overwhelmed, I wonder if we are fighting the battle with compassion and reality, or whether we are jousting with paper swords against paper windmills.

Death In The City, p. 68.

II.

DARKNESS

From a human perspective, Jeremiah had every reasonable, justifiable, emotional excuse possible for doing just thatGIVE UP, QUIT THE MINISTRY!

Political darkness: He probably was born and reared in the reign of Manassehthe most ungodly king Judah ever had; lived through the so-called reforms of Josiah’s reign; prophesied during the reign of the weak, worldly-minded, compromising Zedekiah.

The powerful, pagan empire of Babylon was poised to destroy Jeremiah’s homeland and carry his family, friends and countrymen far away into exile. Jeremiah knew it was inevitable and plead with all his soul but no one would believe him.

Social darkness: Widespread exploitation of the poor; sexual promiscuity (each neighing for his neighbor’s wife); civil justice totally corrupt; materialism rampant; murder, robbery, cruelty, indifference everywhere. Do not trust your family or your neighbors Jeremiah was told.

Religious darkness: idolatry; Canaanite naturism; Phoenician Baalism; Babylonian astrology; and an utterly meaningless Jewish formalism; SACRIFICE OF HUMAN BEINGS (CHILDREN).

Priesthood dedicated to making money by urging people to sin. False prophets crying peace, peace when there was no peace.

III.

DIABOLICAL DANGER

Jeremiah takes 18 Chapter s (2-20) to characterize the ungodly people to whom he was sent to preach.

He characterizes them as: idolatrous, stupid, adulterous, liars, obstinate, deluded, untrustworthy, malicious, good for nothing, backsliders, stubborn. Ezekiel says of the very same people: stubborn, rebellious, impudent, hardheaded, stiff-necked, flint-faced. THAT WAS HIS CONGREGATION. NOT ONLY IS IT DIFFICULT TO PREACH TO SUCH A CONGREGATION. IT IS DANGEROUS!

Consider these personal tribulations of the man himself: Read also Lamentations 3:1-66.

His message was almost totally unpopulareven hated; ridiculed (Jeremiah 20:7-12).

His own family sought his death (Jeremiah 12:6).

He was forbidden the possible support of marriage (Jeremiah 16:1-4); and social life (Jeremiah 16:8).

His countrymen continually clamored for his death (Jeremiah 18:18 f.Jeremiah 26:7 f.)

His book of warnings from God was cut to pieces and burned (Jeremiah 36:21 f.).

He was arrested as a common criminal (Jeremiah 26:7-12).

He was locked in the stocks and beaten (Jeremiah 20:1-2).

He was pronounced a traitor and hunted by all the authorities (Jeremiah 32:2-3; Jeremiah 33:1).

He was thrown into a pit to starve to death (Jeremiah 37:11-16).

He was later thrown into a cistern up to his chin in mire and muck and left to die (Jeremiah 38:4-6).

Later, in his old age, he would be kidnapped and forced to flee as a hostage with his wicked countrymen to Egypt (Jeremiah 43:1 f.).

So far as we know, he had only one person in the whole nation he could call friend and trustBaruch, his secretary. Perhaps one other prophet or two (Uriah Jeremiah 26:20) and Ezekiel.

One biographer says of this man: A more crushing burden was never laid upon mortal man. In the whole history of the Jewish race there has been no such example of intense sincerity, unrelieved suffering; fearless proclamation of God’s message, and unwearying intercession of a prophet for his people. But the tragedy of his life is this, that he preached to deaf ears and reaped only hate in return for his love to his fellow-countrymen. He was lightly esteemed in life, and sank into the grave a broken-hearted old man. From being of no account as a prophet, he came to be regarded the greatest of them all. EVERY STUDENT-MINISTER OUGHT TO BE REQUIRED TO SERVE A SUMMER-INTERNSHIP WITH JEREMIAH. EVERY NORTH AMERICAN CHRISTIAN CONVENTION OUGHT TO HAVE A JEREMIAH PREACH TO IT. EVERY BIBLE COLLEGE STAFF MEMBER OUGHT TO HAVE AN ANNUAL VISIT FROM JEREMIAH.

IV.

DETERMINATION

This is not the end of the story. Hear Jeremiah again:

If I say, I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name, there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot (Jeremiah 20:9).

O Lord of Hosts, who triest the righteous, who seest the heart and the mind,. to thee have I committed my cause (Jeremiah 20:12).

Not since the days of Noah (when every thought of man was evil continuously) had morality and the fear of God ebbed so low on the entire face of the earth.

Yet this preacher, in the face of monstrous adversity, was compelled by a fire in his bones to preachhe could not quithe must go on!

The fire in his bones was the Word of God!

Thy words were found, and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy, and the delight of my heart. (Jeremiah 15:16).

Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks rocks in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29).

… behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire. (Jeremiah 5:14).

NO SLICK PSEUDO-ENTHUSIASM HERE. NO FACADE OF SUCCESS-ORIENTATION OR POSSIBILITY THINKING HERE. JUST PLAIN OLD, GUT-LEVELLAST RESORT DEPENDENCE ON THE REVELATION OF GOD. HAD JEREMIAH DEPENDED ON HIS EMOTIONS, HE WOULD HAVE QUIT. HAD JEREMIAH DEPENDED ON THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS, HE WOULD HAVE QUIT. (THERE WAS NO TESTIMONY OF ANOTHER’S GODLY LIFE TO PUT A FIRE IN HIS BONES.) IT WAS THE WORD OF GOD.. IT WAS THE WORD OF GOD.. IT WAS THE WORD OF GOD! In a world of idolatry, unbelief, moral depravity, violence and inhumanity today, Ozark Bible College dedicates itself to igniting a fire in your bones by the Word of God so that you, each in your own place and time, will become a Jeremiah, and when you say, I will not mention him or speak anymore in his name. you cannot hold it in.

DISCUSSION

I. FIRE OF CONVICTION

There was a fire in Jeremiah’s bones because he knew the word of God was true.

The veracity of God’s word burned away all doubt. He did not conquer doubt by the power of positive thinking, but by conviction that God’s Word was actually, literally, historically true and accurate.

Jeremiah based his message upon the historical deeds of God recorded as God’s revelation (cf. Jeremiah 2:4-8; Jeremiah 7:21-26; Jeremiah 11:1-8, etc.).

Jeremiah appealed to the evidence from creation for argument against false religion and in support of God and his message (cf. Jeremiah 10:12-16; Jeremiah 32:17 ff; Jeremiah 33:19 ff.).

The conviction that the Word of God was true was the fire in the bones of all the prophets.

When Isaiah wanted to save a remnant for the Messiah, he said to those who would listen, To the teaching and to the testimony (Isaiah 8:20).

When Daniel wanted to encourage the people of the Babylonian captivity he went to the scroll of Jeremiah (Daniel 9:2).

The fire in Jesus-’ bones was the conviction that the Word of God was absolutely and unalterably true, The Scripture cannot be broken. (John 10:35).

The fire in the bones of the apostles was their conviction of the historical certainties of the resurrection of Christ and fulfilled prophecy.

Evangelism, Acts 17:30-31 … he was given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Edification, 1 Corinthians 15:1 ff. (the historical certainties of the cross, the resurrection and fulfilled prophecy)

Jeremiah’s fire was not based on feelings.

It was his feelings that kept trying to put out the fire!

Had Jeremiah allowed his moods and feelings to become his motivation he would have quit the ministry.

If Jesus had let His feelings rule Him He would have refused to go to the cross.. O Father, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done (Luke 22:42).

Jeremiah’s fire was not based on the pragmatic workability of religious activity.

The Word of God is not relevant because it works, but because it is true.

Jeremiah said, Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16).

THINGS DIDN-‘T ALWAYS WORK FOR JEREMIAH! AND ONLY BECAUSE THE FIRE IN HIS BONES CAME FROM CONVICTION THAT THE WORD OF GOD WAS TRUE WHETHER THERE WAS ALWAYS VISIBLE SUCCESS OR NOT WAS HE ABLE TO STAY WITH HIS MINISTRY!

There are two fundamentals necessary to bring man to Godneither of them have to do with emotions of pragmatics.

He that cometh to God must believe that He is (exists).

And that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The fire in men’s bones is not a result of religious activity or the practice of a systematic religion. The Jews of Jeremiah’s day were busier in religion than any people have ever been! BUT THEY WERE TOTALLY DEVOID OF THE FIRE IN THEIR BONES WHICH JEREMIAH HAD.

The God who is There is the God of the Bible. He cannot be reduced to our moods and feelings nor to our systems and traditions.

If you want Jeremiah’s fire in your bones you will not find it by conjuring up a god of your own moods and whims or a god reduced to religious activitybut in saturating your mind and life with Scripture for that is where He reveals Himself. It is in believing and obeying His Word that we come face-to-face, mind-to-mind, and heart-to-heart, Spirit-to-spirit with God. About 120 years ago (January, 1856), a young lad was born to a wealthy manufacturer and his wife of Hoboken, New Jersey. This lad grew up in a home where both mother and father believed the Bible. In fact the Bible (and other religious books) was read every Sunday afternoon after the family had come home from worship services. This lad grew up and went off to Yale University to study for law. He was in school for a good time and the prestige he might gain, as he himself admits. I can hardly believe what I know to be true about my own affections and about my likes and dislikes.. He wrote later in life, … In those days I hated the Bible. I read it every day, but it was to me about the most stupid book I read. I would rather have read last year’s almanac any day than to have read the Bible.. In those former days. I loved the card table, the theater, the dance, the horse-race, the champagne supper, and I hated the prayer-meeting and Sunday services.. In his Junior year, disillusioned with his frivolous life, and captivated by the lecturing of James D. Dana proving that geology verified the Genesis record and not evolution, this young man found a fire in his bones and dedicated himself to the ministry. He went on to become the first president and really the builder of Moody Bible Institute. While doing that he also became the minister of the Chicago Ave. church and in six months had its membership from 2000 to 3000. In four years of revivals in India, New Zealand, Australia and the British Isles 70,000 people became believers. He wrote books and articles on the fundamentals of Christianity which were so influential he started the movement known as Fundamentalism. He became convinced through a searching study of the Scriptures that immersion was the mode of baptism practiced by Christ and the apostles and he and his wife were immersed. He was the first president and builder of Biola (Bible Institute of Los Angeles) and when it appeared the trustees of the college wanted to emphasize liberal arts and cut out some Bible courses, he resigned. He made it a never faltering practice throughout his ministry to devote every morning from 5 till 11 a.m., 5 days per week, to Bible study. He began every revival with the sermon Ten Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is The Word of God. All of these accomplishments without the aid of the Imperials back-up, radio, T.V., overhead projectors, microphones or speakers, testimonies of celebrities. Lest you think this man was your regular, run of the mill sensationalist and crowd manipulator type preacher. his biographer, Roger Martin, says he appeared to many people to be stern, withdrawing, demanding, and cold. He spoke primarily to the conscience and reason rather than to the emotions, and rarely raised his voice beyond a conversational tone. He was more concerned with retention of converts than he was in counting numbers. His son wrote of him, In the ensuing years I have met persons from England and Scotland who were converted in my father’s meetings and frequently I have been told that the results of his meetings have stood and made a more permanent effect on the religious life of these countries than other such meetings. This they have ascribed to his logic, avoidance of emotionalism insistence on membership in the church and studying the Bible. He was Reuben A. Torrey; he was a man with a fire in his bones.. BECAUSE HE WAS A MAN OF THE BOOK!

II.

FIRE OF HOLINESS

Jeremiah was a man, a human being, not a robot.

He had feelings, moods, physical drives, urges, temptations, trials, tribulations, ups and downs, just like any one else.

He complained, doubted, cried, became angry, afraid, lonely one time and tired of having others always around on the other hand.

He had to go through life without the strength and comfort of a wife, Jeremiah 16:1-2, so he had to control his sexual self.

He had to go through life suffering persecution and defamation unjustly, so he had to control his urge to retaliate. Jeremiah 11:20. to thee have I committed my cause.

He had to go through life without merrymaking or fun, Jeremiah 15:17 … I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice. He sublimated the urge for fun for the higher goal of being found pleasing to his Lord.

He had to go through life being very unpopular. He could not know the admiration or acceptance of his peers. They all shunned him. He had to forget about the human ego which demands to be recognized, appreciated and applauded!

What was this fire in his bones that purged him of human weakness and gave him power to overcome temptation? IT WAS THE WORD OF GOD.

Who has commanded and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and evil come? (Lamentations 3:37-38)

… my affliction and my bitterness. my soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me. but this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness (Lamentations 3:19-23).

Jeremiah knew a man could not trust in his own heart or feelings or reasoning:

Cursed is the man who trusts in man.. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:5-10)

My friend, this is your only hope of overcoming; my only hope of overcomingPUTTING THE WORD OF GOD IN YOUR MIND AND HEART THAT YOU MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST HIM.

It comes down to a gut-level faith. We refuse to fall into any temptation simply because the word of God says it is wrong!

We may philosophize, analyze and rationalize adultery and fornication all we want, but the ultimate choice will be made against it by you or by me because God’s Word forbids it; or for it because we do not care what God’s Word says.

We may hold seminars, write books and pay psychiatrists to counsel people on marriage and divorce, but when it comes right down to it people will stay married because God’s word commands it; or people will get divorced because they do not think God means what He says!

We either obey our feelings or the Word of God!

James Oppenheim, an American writer of the 1920s characterized the attitude of the man who refuses to let the Word of God be a fire in his bones.

Let nothing bind you; if it is duty, away with it. If it is law, destroy it. If it is opinion, go against it. There is only one Divinity, Yourself; only one God, You.

HUMANISM HAS TRIED TO DEAL WITH THE SIN-HOLINESS PROBLEM BY PSYCHOLOGY, GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS, HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR MATERIAL WELFARE, ENTERTAINMENT, COMMUNISM.. EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN EXCEPT THE WORD OF GOD.AND NONE OF HUMANISM’S PANACEAS HAVE WORKED.. IN FACT, THEY HAVE ONLY INTENSIFIED THE PROBLEM OF SIN A THOUSAND-FOLD.

Jesus demonstrated that it is possible for human beings to resist sin and be holy by the fire of the Word of God in us.

Jesus was tempted to distrust God to feed Him after 40 days fasting and work a miracle, but He said, It is written.

Over and over Jesus said, It is written..

Although He was a son, he experienced obedience through what he suffered, and was heard for his godly fear.

Jesus did not feel like going to the cross.. O, Father, I don-’t feel like going to the cross, nevertheless, not how I feel, but thy will be done.

I believe that we can live on earth according to the teachings of Jesus, and that the greatest happiness will come to the world when man obeys His commandment, -Love ye one another.-’ I believe that every question between man and man is a religious question, and that every social wrong is a moral wrong. I believe that we can live on earth according to the fulfillment of God’s will, and that when the will of God is done on earth as it is in heaven, every man will love his fellow men and act towards them as he desires they should act towards him..

I have four things to learn in life:

To think clearly without hurry or confusion; To love everybody sincerely; To act in everything with the highest motives; To trust in God unhesitatingly.

If ever there was anyone with justifiable reason to be bitter, to hate, to be selfish and demand pity, it was the woman who said thatHelen Keller. DO YOU FEEL LIKE LYING? GOD’S WORD SAYS NO! DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED NOT GIVE YOUR MONEY FOR GOD’S WORK. GOD’S WORD SAYS YES! DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEED NOT TEACH HIS GOOD NEWS TO OTHERS. GOD’S WORD SAYS YES! DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR EXAMPLE TO OTHERS? GOD’S WORD SAYS YES! DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP NATIONAL LAWS, SCHOOL RULES, PARENTAL DISCIPLINE.. GOD’S WORD SAYS, YES, YOU DO! AND IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, YOU WILL CHOOSE AGAINST YOUR FEELINGS ONLY WHEN YOU TRUST GOD’S WORD UNHESITATINGLY. God’s word is the truth.. He will tell you the truth.. He even gives you the motivation in the Good News to want the truth. but He will not choose for you. YOU MUST CHOOSE THE TRUTH. The OBC diploma has this statement first in priority.. Be it known unto all that ____________ having shown possession of Christian character and refinement.. etc. Christian character and refinement come by self-control or control of self. But self does not control self. There is absolutely no way the human self can be controlled apart from the Word of God. It has been so ever since the human being was created in Eden! EVERY BIBLE COURSE OR BIBLE RELATED COURSE. EVERY RULE, EVERY COUNSELING SESSION, EVERY CHAPEL, EVERY DEVOTION WHERE THE WORD OF GOD IS EXERCISED IS TO FULFILL THAT NEED FOR CONTROL OF SELF AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. YOU COULD LEARN EVERY HOW-TO-DO-IT COURSE BY MEMORY AND BUILD UP A HUGE CONGREGATION, WITH A MASSIVE BUILDING COMPLEX AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET, AND FAIL MISERABLY AS A MINISTER OF GOD IF YOU DO NOT HAVE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER! A great man once wrote: Moral facts develop moral character. all the works and words of God are moral facts and truths. you find the works and words of God in the Bible. when these moral facts are brought into immediate contact with the mind of man, they delineate the image of God upon the human soul.. The man who said that remembered in his childhood that It was the rule that every family member should memorize, during each day, some portion of the Bible, to be recited at evening worship. and he said later in life, They (the scriptures) have not only been written on the tablet of my memory, but incorporated with my modes of thinking and speaking.

IF THAT MOTHER AND FATHER HAD NOT PUT THAT FIRE OF HOLINESS, HONESTY, INTEGRITY, GOODNESS AND LOVE IN THE BONES OF THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD, YOU AND I MIGHT NOT BE HERE TODAY! THAT MAN WAS ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

III.

FIRE OF EVANGELISM

Jeremiah preached 23 years in Jerusalem before he was taken hostage down into Egypt and even from there he preached on, apparently until his death. He never retired. The fire of the word of God never went out or died down in his heart.

He ran through the streets of Jerusalem preaching, trying to locate one righteous man (Jeremiah 5:1 ff.; Jeremiah 11:6).

He preached in the Temple courts (Jeremiah 20:1 ff.; Jeremiah 26:1 ff.).

He preached in the gates of the city (Jeremiah 17:19).

He went to the Euphrates river in God’s service (Jeremiah 13:4).

He went to the shops of the craftsmen (potter) to preach (Jeremiah 18:1).

He went to the city dump (Hinnom) to preach (Jeremiah 19:1 ff.).

He preached in the king’s palace (Jeremiah 22:1 ff.).

He preached while imprisoned (Jeremiah 32:1 ff.).

He preached in war (while Jerusalem was under attack) (Jeremiah 34:1 ff.).

He preached in Egypt (Jeremiah 43:8 ff.).

He wrote sermons in letter form to the exiles in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1; Jeremiah 30:1).

In every place conceivable, in every circumstance, in every method possible, Jeremiah preached. Nothing could stop him; not discouragement, not kings, not pagan rulers, not prison, not false religious teachers. When he had no audience, he went looking for one; when he could find none, he wrote letters.

Jeremiah’s fire was kindled by his hope in the promises of God. He preached because he believed in God’s absolute faithfulness.

Without the absolute faithfulness of God’s Word there is no hope.

The fire in our bones for evangelism must be based on the absolute faithfulness of God’s wordnot in our religiosity, not in our ancestry, not in our human skills.

We are responsible only for sowing the seed; God is responsible for the success and the growth; God has put the growth factor in the seed (The Word) not in human skilfulness.

The world thinks there is hope only in the elimination of absolutes. The Christian must rest his only hope in the absolute God! and His absolute word.

Without the absolute faithfulness of the Word of God in our heart there would be no motive strong enough to keep anyone faithful in evangelism.

Christianity is not a modern success story, says Francis Schaeffer, in Death in The City, It is to be preached with love and tears into the teeth of men, preached without compromise, without regard to the world’s concept of success. If there seem to be no results, remember that Jeremiah did not see the results in his day. They came later. If there seem to be no results, it does not change God’s imperative. It is simply up to you and to me to go on, go on, go on, whether we see the results or whether we don-’t. Go on.

Jeremiah saw by faith the fulfillment of God’s promises to bring to his people a new David (the Messiah), a new covenant, a new nature. So he preached. And, as Hebrews 11:4 says of Abel, he died, but through his faith he is still speaking. it is true of Jeremiah.

And it may be true of You. Jenkin Lloyd Jones in an editorial in the Joplin Globe of Sept. 16, 1979, writing of the present trends all over the world of growing persecution of Christianity, wrote, The missionary of tomorrow will be met, not by cringing awe, not by smiles and outstretched hands, not even by spears and leather shields, but by automatic weapons. Martyrdom is coming back, and it will be a testing time for Christianity.

No sooner had Martin Luther begun his great reformation of the church when he received word about the first Protestant martyrs. Some monks had read Luther’s work, turned to this way of thinking, and were burned alive in the Grand Place in Brussels. When Luther heard that, he began to walk the floor and he said, I can-’t go on. I can-’t do it any more. Because of me other men are being killed. I can-’t go on! Then as he wrestled with it, he understood that because it was truth, no matter what the cost to himself or anybody else, he must go on. And so he did, and we follow in his train.

CONCLUSION

Dwight L. Moody tells of an aged missionary of the Free Church of Scotland named Duff who had been in India most of his life preaching the gospel and establishing schools. He came back to Scotland a broken man physically. He was permitted to address the Edinburgh General Assembly to make an appeal for men to go to the mission field. He spoke with such passion that suddenly he fainted and dropped to the floor. They carried him into another room where doctors worked over him for some time until he began to recover. When he realized where he was, he sat up and said: I did not finish; carry me back and let me finish, They told him he could only do at the very peril of his life, He replied: I WILL DO IT IF I DIE. So they took him back to the hall. As the aged, white-haired man appeared at the door, every person sprang to his feet; the tears flowed freely as that great assemblage looked upon the grand old veteran. With a trembling voice he said: Fathers and mothers of Scotland, is it true that you have no more sons to send to India to work for the Lord Jesus Christ? The call for help is growing louder and louder, but there are few coming forward to answer it. You have the money put away in the bank, but where are the laborers who shall go into the field? When Queen Victoria wants men to volunteer for her army in India, you freely give your sons. You do not talk about their losing their health; and about the trying climate. But when the Lord Jesus is calling for laborers, Scotland is saying, -We have no more sons to give.-’ Turning to the President of the Assembly, he said, Mr. Moderator, if it is true that Scotland has no more sons to give to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ in India, although I have lost my health in that land and came home to die, if there are none who will go and tell those heathen of Christ, then I will be off tomorrow, to let them know that there is one Scotsman who is ready to die for them. I will go back to the shores of the Ganges, and there lay down my life as a witness for the Son of God. GOD GRANT, THAT IN EVERYONE OF US HERE GATHERED THIS MORNING (AND THOUSANDS MORE). … THERE IS IN MY HEART AS IT WERE A BURNING FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES, AND I AM WEARY WITH HOLDING IT IN, AND I CANNOT..

**Applebury’s Comments

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Outline**

Luke told about the empty tomb where the body of Jesus had lain (Luke 24:1-12).

The women found it empty (Luke 24:1-7).

Time: First day of the week at early dawn as they brought spices which they had prepared.

Evidence:

(1)

The stone was rolled away, but the body of Jesus was not there.

(2)

Angels asked, Why do you seek the living among the dead?

(3)

The angels declared that He had risen as He said.

The women reported it to the apostles (Luke 24:8-11).

Their reason: They remembered His words about the resurrection.

Their names: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others.

The reaction of the apostles: Idle talk; they didn-’t believe it.

The apostle Peter inspected the empty tomb (Luke 24:12) .

Luke told how Jesus appeared to the two on the way to Emmaus

(Luke 24:13-35).

The circumstances (Luke 24:13-24).

The two were talking about the crucifixion (Luke 24:13-14).

Jesus joined them, but they didn-’t recognize Him (Luke 24:15-16).

He asked what they were talking about; they were astonished that He didn-’t know (Luke 24:17-18).

They reviewed the report of the resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:19-24).

(1)

The fact of the crucifixion of Jesus the Nazarene, a mighty prophet.

(2)

The hope that He would redeem Israel.

(3)

The evidence presented by the women: empty tomb; angels said He had risen.

(4)

The investigation which confirmed the fact that the tomb was empty, but Jesus was not seen.

The explanation of the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27). Jesus explained to the two what was written about His death and resurrection.

The Risen Lord revealed (Luke 24:28-32).

Jesus accepted the hospitality of the two at Emmaus; He blessed the bread and gave it to them.

As He did so, they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight.

Their hearts burned as they recalled His explanation of the Scriptures.

The report to the eleven in Jerusalem (Luke 24:33-35).

They went to Jerusalem and found the eleven.

The apostles said to them, The Lord is risen indeed; He has appeared to Simon.

They told how He was revealed to them in the breaking of the bread.

Luke told of His appearing to the eleven (Luke 24:36-49).

The evidence that proved it was He (Luke 24:36-43).

The circumstances (Luke 24:36-38).

(1)

He stood in their midst and said, Peace unto you.

(2)

They were frightened, thinking it was a spirit.

(3)

He asked, Why do questions arise in your hearts?

The evidence (Luke 24:39-43).

(1)

He told them to both see and handle the evidence of His hands and feet; this couldn-’t be a spirit.

(2)

He actually ate the broiled fish they gave Him.

The Scriptures that had foretold His death and resurrection (Luke 24:44-47).

He reminded them that He had told them that all that was written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms about Him would be fulfilled.

He summed up what the Scriptures said about Him.

(1)

The Christ must suffer and rise the third day.

(2)

Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem.

The Great Commission according to Luke (Luke 24:48-49).

You are witnesses of these things.

I send forth the promise of my Father upon you.

c) Wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

Luke gave a brief account of the ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50-53).

Place: Over against Bethany.

Blessing: He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

Ascension: He was carried up into heaven.

Worship: The disciples worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with joy and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Summary

Wicked men crucified Jesus at Calvary. There is abundant evidence that He actually died. There is equally positive proof that He arose from the dead. The women found the tomb empty; the body of Jesus was not there. Angels announced that He was alive. With the startling news, the women hurried away to tell the apostles who thought it was idle talk. Peter. investigated and found the tomb empty just as the women had said. During the period of forty days between the resurrection and ascension, Jesus appeared to the disciples by many certain proofs. They saw Him, they heard Him explain the Scriptures, they touched Him, and they saw Him eat a piece of broiled fish in their presence. Not only were the Emmaus disciples convinced that He was alive, but also all of the eleven. At one time, more than five-hundred had seen Him alive. The Risen Lord summed up the Scriptures about the Christ by saying, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Having fully demonstrated the fact of His resurrection, and having instructed the apostles as to their duties, He led them out until they were near Bethany. Then He lifted up His hands and blessed them and was carried up into heaven. Heavenly messengers had announced the birth of the Christ; now angels told the apostles that He was coming again.

Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Questions

On what day did the resurrection occur?

What precautions had the Jews taken to prevent anything happening to the body until after the third day? Why?

What did the women find when they came to the tomb?

What did angels tell them?

Who were some of the women at the tomb?

What did the apostles think of their report?

Why did Peter investigate it?

What evidential value is there in the fact that the enemies remembered Jesus-’ predictions of His resurrection while the disciples did not?

What evidence did Peter discover at the tomb?

Where was Emmaus?

What were the two disciples talking about?

Why didn-’t they recognize Jesus when He joined them?

What had they hoped for in Jesus?

What did Jesus say to them?

Why did they ask Him to abide with them?

How was He made known to them?

What did they mean by saying that their heart burned as He had spoken to them?

What did they do immediately after He was revealed to them?

What are some of the other appearances not recorded by Luke?

How did Luke summarize his report of the proofs of the resurrection?

Under what circumstances did He appear to the eleven?

What was their reaction? Why?

How did they become convinced that Jesus had actually been raised from the dead?

How did He help them to understand the Scriptures?

Why did He order them to begin their ministry in Jerusalem?

What is meant by the promise of the Father?

Where did the ascension take place?

What did the heavenly messengers say to the wondering disciples?

What did the disciples do at the time of the ascension?

Where did they await the fulfillment of the promise of the Father?

Luke 24:1-12

**Butler’s Comments

SECTION 1

The Empty Crypt (Luke 24:1-12)**

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the 24tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. 2And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; 5and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise. 8And they remembered his words, 9and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; 11but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.

Luke 24:1-7 Dramatic Decree: More authentic detail is available on the death and burial of Jesus than of any other great man of the ancient world. There was no doubt in the minds of both His associates and His enemies that He had died and was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. And the women who had watched where He had been buried came, very early, on the first day of the week (Sunday), after the Sabbath was over, to anoint His body in the tomb. We now summarize a chronological order of the preliminary watching of the tomb by the women:

Friday afternoon, the sabbath Mary was beginning Luke 23:54

Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

Friday evening Luke 23:56 a

They returned and prepared spices for embalming His body

Friday after sunset and up to sunrise Saturday, Luke 23:56 b

They rested according to the commandment

Saturday before noon Matthew 27:62-66

Jewish rulers and soldiers secured the tombsealed it and set a guard.

Saturday night, before sunset, Matthew 28:1

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb (Wieand says the Greek word opse, (translated after in RSV), may be translated late, (Arndt and Gingrich say the same).

Saturday, after sunset Mark 16:1

They purchased additional spices (after sunset on Saturday, sabbath restrictions are lifted since it is no longer the Sabbath). They went home for the night (not definitely stated but necessarily implied).

Sunday, before sunup Luke 24:1; Mark 16:2; John 20:1 The women started for the tomb

Before sunup the women started for the tomb. Luke 24:1 reads literally, And on the one of the week, deeply early (very early) in the morning. Mark 16:2 reads, and extremely early. John 20:1 reads, early darkness.

Sunday morning, sunrise Matthew 28:2-4

Nisan (April) 17, A.D. 30

At sunrise a great earthquake; Jesus raised from the dead; an angel rolled back the stone; the soldiers fell down as if dead, then they ran off to report to their superiors.

Sunday morning, just after sunrise, Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1 a

John 20:1 says, while. still dark but the Greek verb erchomai may be translated either came or went.

The women arrived at the tomb.

Wieand suggests switching John’s usage to went (while still dark) and Mark’s usage to came (when the sun had risen). The original authors, for all we know, may very well have intended such usage. And, after all, it is a matter of English translation as to which word should be usedand that should be determined according to parallels and harmonization.

Sunday morning. Mark 16:3-4, Luke 24:2; John 20:1 b

The women saw the tomb already opened.

Sunday morning, still early, John 20:2

Mary Magdalene is shocked; believing someone has taken Jesus-’ body from the tomb, she runs to tell Peter and John. John 20:1 a mentions only Mary Magdalene as going to the tomb. This is not a contradiction since John does not say she was the only woman who went. John mentions her specifically because she is the one who ran to him and Peter with the report of the empty tomb. The Synoptic gospels were already in existence when John wrote (95 A.D.) so he simply supplies material the Synoptics omitted.

Sunday morning, Matthew 28:5-8

An angel appears to the other women; calms their fear; announces Jesus-’ resurrection from the dead; invites them into the tomb to see for themselves; tells them, after they have seen, to go tell His disciples they will see Him in Galilee.

Sunday morning, Mark 16:5-8 Luke 24:3-8

They entered the tomb and another angel was there. They looked at the empty burial clothes, were exceedingly frightened, and hurried away with fear, and yet with great expectancy of joy. There appears to be some lapse of time before they told the disciples. They were afraid to tell anyone at first (cf. Luke 24:8 as it qualifies Matthew 28:8), This lapse of time would explain how Mary Magdalene could run away to tell Peter and John, run back to the tomb with them, have Jesus appear to her there, and still be found with the group of women later when Jesus appeared to the group. (This will be discussed further in the chronology of appearances).

Sunday morning, Luke 24:9-12 John 20:3-10

Peter and John, having been told by Mary that Jesus-’ body was missing from the tomb, ran to the tomb. Peter entered, found the facial cloth rolled up neatly apart from the rest of the burial wrappings. John then entered, saw, and confirmed for himself that the body was gone. As yet they are not convinced Jesus is raised from the dead.

Luke reports the women found the stone rolled away upon their arrival at the tomb. It is probable that Christ arose from the dead at the moment the earthquake occurred (Matthew 28:2). Often in Scripture the earthquake signifies a divine visitation (Matthew 27:51; Matthew 27:54). But we cannot be dogmatic about the exact time of His resurrection. No one saw it or recorded it. The angel came to roll away the stone, not to allow Jesus to leave the tomb, but to let men and women see with their own eyes the empty tomb. Jesus did not need the stone rolled away or doors opened for Him to leave or enter any place (John 20:19) after His resurrection. There was no need for anyone to be present at the exact moment of His resurrection, either, since He appeared afterward in His glorified body to many eyewitnesses. That is the proof of His resurrection.

The women entered the tomb and found the body of Jesus gone. They had seen, themselves, His body placed in that very tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. They were perplexed; Luke uses the Greek word diaporeisthai, which means literally, they were searching for a way through their confusion. They could think of no explanation at this moment for the body being gone. There are really only four possible explanations: (a) Jesus did not die and was not buried; that has already been disavowed by enemies and associates alike, if the records are authentic; (b) the women went to the wrong tomb; but the gospel accounts document the meticulous efforts of the women to determine exactly where He was interred, even to going to the tomb at the moment of burial and returning once again; (c) either friends or enemies stole His body and placed it elsewhere; we will deal with the allegation that His friends stole His body, later, but most assuredly the enemies of Jesus were not interested in seeing His body stolen from that tomb and letting anyone get the idea that He had risen from the deadthey took every human precaution they could to preclude that possibility; (d) He actually arose from the dead, in His crucified and buried body, and came forth from the tomb by His glorified, supernatural power, as the gospel accounts declare. If the gospel accounts are authentic and credible (and they certainly are that), the last possibility is the only one acceptable.

While the women were in a state of confusion, two men (Gr. andres) stood beside them. These men were angels (Matthew 28:2; Matthew 28:5). Luke describes them as clothed in dazzling apparel (Gr. astraptousais, the same word used to describe the appearance of Jesus at His transfiguration, Luke 9:30). These were heavenly beings who looked like men. Matthew and Mark mention only onethey do not say there is just one. The women were terrified. This is the normal human reaction when confronted by angels (cf. Daniel 10:7-9; Revelation 22:8-9). But these men said to the women, Why do you seek the living among the dead? More literally, the angels said, Why are you seeking the living one among the dead ones? The phrase he is not here, but has risen should, we think, be a part of the text. Most of the earliest and most significant ancient manuscripts contain the phrase. Only a few manuscripts omit it. The women still did not understand. Finally, the angels said, 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.Jesus made this prediction a number of times in Galilee (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:23) and in Judea (Matthew 20:19). When Jesus had said it before, those who heard it, because of prejudice and because of its non-experiential nature, did not let it register. They could not conceive of such a thing so they did not believe it. But now, the drama of the angelic presence and the empty tomb and the message of the angels force them to remember and accept the predictions of Jesus as the possible answer to the empty tomb.

**Luke 24:8-12 Doubting Disciples: **Jesus never referred to His cross without declaring also that He would rise again. The angels remembered; men and women did not! Human beings heard, but they did not comprehendbecause they did not believe. It was not until Jesus appeared, bodilyin the same body laid in the tomb with nail prints and allthat His own followers believed:

Sunday morning (John 20:11-17): First appearance: All the women, except Mary Magdalene (who had gone to tell Peter and John), left the tomb and started back to Jerusalem. Peter and John, and probably Mary Magdalene following them, must have gone to the tomb by another way. Mary Magdalene stood near the tomb weeping, after Peter and John had returned to the city. Jesus appeared, there in the garden, some distance from Mary. In the early morning she could not distinguish who the person was. Jesus spoke her name and she recognized Him and grabbed Him. Jesus informs her that she cannot keep Him on earth any moreshe must prepare herself for His return to Heaven.

b. Sunday (Matthew 28:9-10; Luke 24:9-11; Mark 16:10-11; John 20:18): Second appearance: Mary Magdalene apparently caught up with the group of women as they were returning to the city. Jesus then appeared to the whole group of women, Mary Magdalene included (Luke 24:10), as they were on their way to tell the disciples gathered in a secret place in Jerusalem. The women finally arrived (Mary Magdalene appears to be the spokeswoman) and told the apostles they had seen the risen Lord. Mark tells us the apostles were mourning and weeping (Mark 16:10). When the women (led by Mary Magdalene, John 20:18) told the apostles their story, the apostles would not believe (Mark 16:11) and thought that the women were making up some fairy story! (Gr. leros, a medical term describing giddiness, delirium or hysteria). These apostles were hard-headed, logically-thinking men who insisted on a world of reality. That is the way they had lived their whole lives as fisherman and tax-collectors. They knew Jesus had died; they knew He had been buried; they would not believe He was alive again unless they could see Him up, walking and talking and eating in that same body (as they had seen Lazarus, earlier).

Sometime that same Sunday the guards who fled from the tomb reported to the officials of the Sanhedrin all that had taken place (cf. Matthew 28:11-15). What the all includes we may only speculate. We wonder if the guards knew more about the resurrection than that an earthquake had taken place. We wonder what they thought about the stone being rolled awayperhaps they, too, saw the angel. They knew enough that they had to be bribed. Not only so, but a story was fabricated for them in order to explain away the truth. The stolen body theory is as ludicrous now as it was then!

Sunday (1 Corinthians 15:5): Third appearance: Jesus appeared to Peter alone somewhere in Jerusalem. The two disciples on the way to Emmaus mention it (Luke 24:34) as having already happened when Jesus walks with them. Peter was the acknowledged leader of the apostolic band. Jesus had already exhorted Peter to strengthen his brethren when he should repent of his denial. Peter would welcome special indication from Jesus that he had been forgiven and was still trusted to be an apostle. Peter would be one of the first to proclaim the resurrection (Acts 2:1-47) and one of the first to defend it before Jewish enemieshe must be certain of it!

Applebury’s Comments

The Empty Tomb Scripture

Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel: 5 and as they were affrighted and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James: and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles. 11 And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they disbelieved them. 12 But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves; and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to pass.

*Comments

They came to the tomb.*All four Gospel writers present conclusive evidence that Jesus actually died on the cross. They also present conclusive evidence that He was actually raised from the dead.

The first point is that the tomb where His body had lain was found empty on the first day of the week by the women who came to complete the burial arrangements. It is evident that they had not anticipated this, for they were wondering who would roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb. Roman soldiers had been guarding it to prevent anything happening to it until after the third day. The chief priests and Pharisees had said to Pilate, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, -After three days I will rise again.-’ Command, therefore, that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day lest haply his disciples come and steal him away and tell the people that he is risen from the dead and the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate gave them a guard and told them to make it as sure as they could (Matthew 27:63-65).

Seeing the stone rolled away, the women entered the tomb but did not find the body of Jesus. In their perplexity, they were startled by two angels who said, Why seek ye the living among the dead? These heavenly messengers were the first to announce that He was alive, At long last, His disciples were beginning to see what He meant when He told them that He would be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise again. The women hurried away to tell the good news to the eleven and the others. Mary Magdalene was one of those women. She had been faithful throughout Jesus-’ ministry. She was present as He died on the cross. She was among the first to hear the heavenly announcement, He is risen from the dead.

*as idle talk.*The apostles couldn-’t believe it; it was just idle talk, for they knew that He had died on the cross. But their attitude constitutes one of the strong points in the proof of the resurrection of Jesus. They had failed to understand His prediction, partly, no doubt, because of their concept of His kingdom. The idea of a spiritual kingdoma kingdom that was not of this worldhad never crossed their minds. There was no place for a cross in their concept of the kingdom.

They didn-’t believe that Jesus had risen until forced to do so by indisputable evidence. After they had investigated the evidence and had become convinced beyond a doubt that He was alive again, they did not hesitate to risk their lives to proclaim the Risen Lord. When commanded by the Jews not to do so, they said, Whether it is right in the sight of God to harken unto you rather than unto God judge ye for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard (Acts 4:19-20).

We may think it strange that the enemies of Jesus remembered the prediction of His death while His disciples did not. His enemies were interested in one thing only: His destruction. They rejoiced over the fact that He died on their cross. They did everything possible to make sure that no one remove the body from the tomb. But when the tomb was found empty, they felt compelled to explain it somehow. So they bribed the soldiers and told them to say that while they were asleep His disciples came and stole away the body. They promised that if this should come to the ears of the governor they would clear the soldiers. Unbelievers have made many attempts to explain that empty tomb. But none of them have improved the fabricated tale told by the Pharisees. No court at any time or any place would accept testimony from a witness who openly admitted that he had been asleep when the incident being investigated had occurred.

*but Peter arose and ran to the tomb.*Even though the story of the women seemed as idle talk, there was something in that made Peter hasten to investigate for himself. When he did, he found every item of the account to be correct. The tomb was empty; the body of Jesus was not there. He returned home wondering what had come to pass.

Luke 24:13-32

**Butler’s Comments

SECTION 2

The Emmaus Conversation (Luke 24:13-32)**

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk? And they stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? 19And he said to them, What things? And they said to him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24Some 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. 25And he said to them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory? 27And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29but they constrained him, saying, Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent. So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32They 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?

**Luke 24:13-24 Dark Despondency: **Luke gives a very condensed account of the first day (Sunday) of the resurrection. He mentions the empty tomb, two appearances of Jesus, and then, omitting all the intervening thirty-nine days, describes the ascension (Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:6-11). But Luke’s account is of great significance. He was a physician. All his scientific training would have prejudiced him against a bodily resurrection. The two appearances he records are uniquely suited to supply evidence to this physician (and any other scientist) of the reality of a phenomenon outside his human experience! Luke traced all things accurately. He has the facts. Here they are:

d. Sunday afternoon (that very day.) (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-35): Fourth appearance: Two disciples of Jesus had left Jerusalem and were headed for the little village of Emmaus. Emmaus may be derived from an Aramaic name meaning, bath or wells; it was about seven miles northwest of Jerusalem. One of the disciples was named Cleopas. Lightfoot believes Cleopas to be Alpheus, the father of the apostle James (cf. Matthew 10:3). It is not the same person as Clopas, the husband of Mary (John 19:25), in Greek the two names are spelled differentlyKleopas and Klopa, respectively. Some think the other disciple might have been Luke, but that is highly improbable; other commentators think it may have been the wife of Cleopas. We do not know.

These two disciples were walking along the dusty road sermonizing to one another. Luke uses the Greek word homilein to describe their conversationit is the word from which we get the English, homiletics, or sermonizing. They were analyzing all the things that had happened in Jerusalem concerning Jesus the last few days. The Greek word suzetein is translated discussing in Luke 24:15, and means debate, argue, reason, dispute. This was not a casual conversation! They were so engrossed in their discussion they did not even notice when Jesus joined them in their journey, nor did they notice who He was. There was nothing miraculous about their eyes being kept from recognizing Him. Jesus certainly had no purpose in keeping them from knowing who He wasin fact, His purpose was to get them to recognize Him. They were depressed. They had no more anticipation of a bodily resurrection than the apostles back in Jerusalem. Jesus asked about their discussion. The Greek literally reads, What are these words (logoi) which you are throwing back and forth (antiballete) toward one another? It was an animated conversation! They stopped and looked out of their eyes sadly (Gr. *skuthropos)*probably looking toward the ground. Perhaps without even looking up, Clepoas answered, Are you the only stranger (Gr. paroikeis, lit. one who dwells parallel to; or, alien) to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days? They thought it incredible that anyone, even an outsider or a visitor, should not have heard something of what had transpired recently. So they related to this fellow traveler all the information they had, adding their interpretation. Their information was:

Jesus of Nazareth was a prophet; mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

The chief priests and rulers delivered Jesus up to death by crucifixion.

Three days had gone by since that had taken place.

Some women disciples of Jesus, gone to the tomb, found the body of Jesus gone, reported back that angels told them He was alive.

Other disciples they knew personally had gone to the tomb and found it just as the women had saidempty.

But no one had seen Jesus.

Luke’s Greek is interesting as he reports their statement: But (Gr. de) we were hoping that He is the one going to redeem Israel. Yes, and (Gr. alla ge) besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover (Gr. alla kai) some women amazed us.. These hesitating, vacillating words imply emotional confusion. We wanted to believe. but then He has been dead three days. but on the other hand we have this incredible story by the women.. They had seen His mighty deeds and heard Him prophesy; they knew what the Old Testament prophets had written about the Messiah; they had heard the accounts of the empty tomb and the angelic announcements; still they did not believe! One of the greatest proofs of the resurrection of Jesus is that none of His followers expected it to happen!

**Luke 24:25-32 Delirious Delight: **Jesus rebuked them for their absence of understanding (Gr. anoetoi, without comprehension). He told them they were too hesitant (Gr. bradeis)they should believe the facts testified to by the women as the fulfillment of what their prophets predicted and not let their human rationalizations hinder them from faith. Jesus asked the rhetorical question, Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory? He expected them to answer, Yes! But they did not answer. So He began with Moses (the Pentateuch) and went through all the prophets, interpreting to them in all the scriptures (including the books of poetry too) the things concerning Himself. This would involve instruction in all the types and prophecies and symbols in the Old Testament which point directly or indirectly to the Messiah’s redemptive suffering (Gr. pathein, pathos). The limitation of space does not permit us here to list all the types and symbolisms of the Messiah’s suffering and glorification. We trust the following references to prophecies will suffice to explain Jesus-’ exhortation:

Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12

The tenth verse of Psa 96:1-13, according to some ancient Christian scholars, has been corrupted. Jerome, Augustine, Tertullian and others make this charge. Justin Martyr, 100-167 A.D., stated his belief that the Jews, out of hatred for Christ, tampered with the text because it prophesied the establishment of the Messiah’s kingdom by means of His suffering and death upon the cross. Our modern versions read: Say unto the peoples: the Lord reigneth. In the version called Italica Antiqua, which was in use during the first centuries of the Church, and also in the Psalterio Romano, the verse is rendered: Say unto the peoples: the Lord reigneth from the tree or a ligno, as it is in the Latin. For the Psalmist to say that the Lord God Himselfthe Almightywas to establish His government in the hearts of men on the basis of a cursed cross was something so horrifying, so unthinkable and so repulsive to the human rationalizations of the Jews they simply refused to accept the idea. The cross of Christ became a stumbling block to the majority of them (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:23).

Jesus did not merely recount all the Old Testament predictions of the Messiah, He interpreted (Gr. diermeneuen, the word from which we get hermeneutics) to them the things concerning Himself. What a lesson that must have been! Beginning with the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) He would proceed through the types and shadows of the Mosaic covenant, into the monarchy and David’s throne, and concluding with all the prophets, Still mastered by their despondency more than His teaching, they do not yet recognize Him. He has done nothing yet to give them evidence He is Jesus, risen bodily from the dead.

When they drew near to Emmaus Jesus gave some indication that He was going to travel on. Perhaps they were intrigued and deeply interested in what He was saying, perhaps they were simply exercising the importance placed on hospitality to strangers, so they constrained Him to stay with them. So He went in to abide (Gr. meinai) with them. When it came time for the evening meal, they all reclined (Gr. kataklithenai) on their couches about the table and Jesus took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. Here, as a guest, Jesus takes the part of the host or the Master of the meal. The Greek phrase would read literally, And it was, in the reclining of Him with them, taking the loaf He blessed, and having broken He gave to them. This was just the way He had acted with them so many times before. As He broke the bread, they may have seen the nail prints in His hands; as He prayed, they may have recognized familiar phrases or urgency of voice. Whatever the evidence they now had, it was enough to make them recognize Him (Gr. epegnosan, fully perceive, discern, recognizefrom the Greek verb, to know). No sooner did they discover it was Jesus, risen bodily from the dead, eating supper with them, than He vanished out of their sight. The Greek phrase is, autos aphantos egeneto, He, non-visible, became. Barnes thinks there was nothing miraculous in this, but He simply withdrew from their presence while they were still stunned by the surprise. On the other hand, it is possible that it was a miraculous disappearance to give them evidence of His glorified state, All the disciples must understand that He is not risen bodily for the purpose of remaining on earth. He told Mary she must not hold onto Him as if to keep Him on earth (cf. our comments, Gospel of John, pg. 426, College Press). Later, He will appear suddenly to the apostles in the room where they had closed all the doors for fear of the Jews (cf. Mark 16:13-14; Luke 24:36-42; John 20:19-20). In His glorified body He was able to appear and disappear, to materialize and dematerialize, to go through closed doors or wallsand why shouldn-’t He if He was earlier able to walk on water, read minds, predict the future, raise the dead, cast out demons and be transfigured to talk with Moses and Elijah!

Whatever happened, it so excited these two disciples, they exclaimed, Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures? The Greek word for burned is kaiomene and is often used metaphorically of spiritual light (cf. Luke 12:35; John 5:35). Jesus had turned on the light of truth about the Messiah’s death and resurrection in their hearts that day. Their gloom was gone. They were no longer despondent and without hope. Now they were filled with faith and joy. They could not contain themselves.

Luke 24:13-35

Applebury’s Comments

The Appearance on the Way to Emmaus Scripture

Luke 24:13-35 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. 14 And they communed with each other of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, while they communed and questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking sad. 18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him, Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel, Yea and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came to pass. 22 Moreover certain women of our company amazed us, having been early at the tomb; 23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them that were with us went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 And he said unto them, O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself, 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they were going: and he made as though he would go further. 29 And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in to abide with them. 30 And it came to pass, when he had sat down with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it he gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they rehearsed the things that happened in the way, and how he was known of them in the breaking of the bread.

*Comments

a village named Emmaus.*The village was in the vicinity of Jerusalem. It will be forever remembered because of what happened to two of Jesus-’ disciples as they journeyed toward it on that resurrection day. As they talked about the death of Jesus and the report of the women that He was alive, Jesus drew near and went with them. They didn-’t recognize Him, for their eyes were holden that they should no know him. Were they blind to His presence because of their knowledge of His death? The Stranger wanted to know about the things they were talking about. The disciples, their grief showing on their faces, said, Are you the only one in Jerusalem who does not know what has come to pass in these days?

Then they told the story of Jesus the Nazarene who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. They told about His crucifixion and said, We had hoped that He would be the one to redeem Israel. Everyone was longing for the restoration of Israel to a place of dignity among the nations of the world. They thought this Son of David would surely be the one to make their dream come true, but that hope died at the cross.

*and besides all this.*Three days had gone by since the death of the Prophet. The report was out that He had been seen alive. Was the light of hope beginning to show on the faces of these Emmaus disciples? They told the Stranger about those who had investigated and confirmed the report.

*foolish men and slow of heart to believe.*Jesus chided them for being slow to believe all that the prophets had spoken. He said it was necessary for Christ to suffer and enter into His glory. That was the message of the Scriptures, was it not? Then He explained all that was written in the Scriptures about Himself. What a privilege those disciples had to listen to that message! The book of Matthew covers this very same material showing how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about Messiah.

*abide with us.*The disciples couldn-’t let the Stranger go on; they invited Him to stay with them for the night. As they sat at the table, the Stranger took bread and broke it and gave it to them. Their Guest did this; but they had seen Him do it before. Their eyes were opened and they knew that it was the Risen Lord. In that moment of recognition, He vanished from their sight.

*was not our heart burning within us.*The story of the Scriptures stirred their hearts as nothing else could have done. It is still the most thrilling story known to man. There are millions whose hearts would be thrilled today if only someone would tell them of the Savior who died and arose that they might have eternal life.

*that very hour.*The two had made the long walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The conviction that they had actually seen the Risen Lord banished all thought of being tired. They arose and hurried back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the eleven. There they discovered that the evidence of His resurrection was piling up, for the apostles said, The Lord is risen indeed and has appeared to Simon.

Luke does not record all the appearances of Jesus, Some of them recorded by others are: (1) The appearance to the eleven when Thomas was absent and again when he was with the group (John 20:19-31; 1 Corinthians 15:6). (2) The appearance at the sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-23). (3) The appearance to the five hundred at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6), (4) The appearance in the mountain in Galilee when Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). (5) The appearance to James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

Luke summarized all this evidence in his second letter to Theophilus in these words: to whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

Luke 24:33-43

**Butler’s Comments

SECTION 3

The Eleven Confronted (Luke 24:33-43)**

33And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34who said, The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them. 37But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. 38And he said to them, Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? 39See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have. 41And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, Have you anything here to eat? 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate before them.

**Luke 24:33-40 Disconcerting Demonstration: **The two disciples in Emmaus rose from the supper table and returned (rapidly, no doubt) the seven miles back to Jerusalem. It took them about an hour to walk the road back.

e. Sunday evening, late (John 20:19-20; Mark 16:13-14; Luke 24:33-43): Fifth appearance: To the apostles and disciples in Jerusalem, Thomas absent. The Emmaus disciples arrived in Jerusalem and found where the apostles were hiding. John tells us the doors were shut where the apostles were for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). They are now called by the title the eleven instead of the twelve since Judas had hanged himself, But there were not eleven of the apostles presentThomas had absented himself for some reason (see John 20:24). This also shows that the two Emmaus disciples were not apostles. There were others present with the apostles and some of them said, The Lord has risen indeed and has appeared to Simon! The Greek word translated appeared is ophthe and is a derivative of the words horao and ophtalmos and carries with it the definite connotation of something seen with the eyes. The Lord’s appearance to Peter was objective, not subjective. The two disciples from Emmaus then related to the group their experience of seeing the risen Lord and gave the objective evidences which convinced them it was Jesus, The apostles did not believe even then (Mark 16:13).

As they were talking, Jesus appeared suddenly in the room with them. They were terrified (Gr. ptoethentes, in consternation, in paralyzed fear) and filled with fear (Gr. emphoboi, phobia). Apparently He did not come through a door as normally expected, but materialized right through the closed door. They thought (Gr. edokoun, stronger than supposed) they were seeing a spirit (Gr. pneuma). Jesus chides them for having troubled minds and doubts and suspicions. They have the testimony of the women, the testimony of Peter and the testimony of the two Emmaus discipleswhy do they still doubt? But with the patience and love He had always shown, Jesus offers further evidence. It is very important to note here that Jesus presented proof to three of the sensory preceptors of mansight, hearing, touch. This is scientific evidence; it is what is called experiental and meets the demands of any honest-minded scientist to prove the fact beyond any reasonable doubt. The apostles appeal to this sensate evidence later as the very center of their gospel proclamation (Acts 10:41). The apostles did not seek to persuade men on the basis of their own faith, but on the basis of scientific, eyewitnessed evidence. Jesus invited them to see and touch the hands and feet which had the nail scars in them (as well as His side, John 20:20).

A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have, said Jesus, and then He showed them His hands and His feet. That last phrase is omitted from our printed text (Luke 24:40), but many ancient manuscripts include it (Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus, et al.). We believe it to be textually verified.

**Luke 24:41-43 Dazzled Disciples: **They disbelieved for joy. That is not an unusual reaction when surprised by a visit from someone one thinks is dead. Many people have had the same experience with returned prisoners-of-war or with miraculously escaped victims of natural disasters and have said, I see you, but I just can-’t believe you-’re aliveis it really yousay something or do something so I will know it is you! The apostles were wondering and Jesus asked for something to eat to prove to them He was Himself (Gr. ego eimi autos, Luke 24:39). They gave Him a piece of broiled fish (some manuscripts add, and honeycomb) and He ate it. Once again, Luke the physician has traced accurately all things and documented evidence of the bodily resurrection of Jesus experiential enough to satisfy his own scientific mind and any other fair-minded person who will investigate the authenticity and credibility of Luke’s record.

One week laterSunday (John 20:26-29): Sixth appearance: Jesus appeared to the apostles again in Jerusalem. This time Thomas was present. Thomas was invited to touch the nail prints in Jesus-’ body. Thomas was convinced. The only way to call this an hallucination is to call John a liar. The gospel account plainly states it as an empirical event.

Sometime laterunknown time (John 21:1-25): Seventh appearance: Jesus appeared to seven of the apostles while they were fishing. They did not recognize Him at first. He worked a miracle and invited them to breakfast. John then recognized Him. Peter jumped out of the boat and hurried to shore ahead of the others. This is the third revelation of Himself to the apostles. After breakfast, Jesus challenges Peter’s concept of love.

Still laterunknown time (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18): Eighth appearance: Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles on a mountain in Galilee and gave them the Great Commission. Some make this the same as the appearance to the five hundred brethren at once in 1 Corinthians 15:6. The text seems to imply this appearance was restricted to the eleven apostles.

Still laterunknown time (1 Corinthians 15:6): Ninth appearance: Jesus appeared to over five hundred brethren at once in a place unknown, but testified to by the apostle Paul. Many of those people were still alive when Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

Still laterunknown time, at Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 15:7): Tenth appearance: Jesus appeared to James. We are not certain which James, but probably Jesus-’ half-brotherthe leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:1-41).

Luke 24:36-49

Applebury’s Comments

Jesus-’ Appearance to the Eleven Scripture

Luke 24:36-49 And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them. Have ye here anything to eat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. 43 And he took it, and ate before them.

44 And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures; 46 and he said unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and rise again from the dead the third day; 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 Ye are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.

*Comments

He himself stood in the midst of them.*He said, Peace be unto you. But the terrified disciples thought that they were beholding a spirit. Important evidence of the resurrection is revealed in this appearance. Jesus told the disciples to see His hands and feet for themselves. Thomas, on one occasion, said he would not believe unless he could see the prints of the nails in His hands and put his hand into the wound in Jesus-’ side. Jesus gave him the opportunity to do that very thing. When Thomas saw it, he said, My Lord and my God.

Their joy over what they had heard and seen still kept them from believing what their eyes told them was true. Then Jesus took a piece of broiled fish and ate it in their presence. That convinced them that He was not a spirit, but the Risen Lord. See also John’s comment in 1 John 1:1-4.

*these are my words.*Jesus had reviewed the Scriptures about His death and resurrection for the Emmaus disciples. He repeated it for the group in Jerusalem, reminding them that all that had been written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms about Him had to be fulfilled. He helped them to understand the Scriptures by saying, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations beginning from Jerusalem. This message of Christ is the central theme of the Bible. When the apostles preached the Word, they preached Christ. They did not hesitate to declare that in none other is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven that is given among men wherein we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

*beginning from Jerusalem.*The crucifixion had taken place at Jerusalem. The evidence that proved His resurrection had been presented at Jerusalem. The preaching of the gospel that was based on these facts was to begin in Jerusalem also. The eleven, and Matthias, all of whom were eye-witness of these facts, began their ministry of preaching and teaching on the Day of Pentecost immediately after they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

*the promise of the father.*That was the promise that the Holy Spirit would be sent to enable them to bear accurate testimony concerning that which they had seen and heard. They were to wait in Jerusalem until they received that power from on high.

Luke 24:44-53

**Butler’s Comments

SECTION 4

Eleven Commissioned, Again (Luke 24:44-53)**

44 Then he said to them, These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled. 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and said to them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.

50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. 52And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple blessing God.

**Luke 24:44-49 Divine Declaration: **In Jerusalem, at some time between His appearance to James and His ascension, Jesus met with His apostles and reiterated His commission to them. We do not know how much time elapsed. We do know it was forty days between His resurrection and His ascension.

k. Still laterunknown time, at Jerusalem (Luke 24:44-49): Eleventh appearance: Both Wieand in his, A New Harmony of The Gospels, and Shephard, in his, The Christ of the Gospels, place this appearance separate from fifth appearance (Luke 24:36-43). The same appearance is described in Acts 1:3-8. Evidently Jesus spent many hours during these forty days in intense instruction to the apostles and disciples concerning the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in His redemptive incarnation. The two great lines of evidence appealed to in apostolic preaching (Acts) and apostolic writing (Epistles) are the empirical facts witnessed in His death, burial and resurrection, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in His deeds and teachings.

It is interesting to note that Jesus summarized the entire message of the Old Testament as a prediction that the Messiah should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Yes, that was what God was saying in the Old Testament-redemption and evangelism. There is little doubt that the Old Testament is filled with predictions that God’s redemptive deeds will be to all people when one reads the prophetsespecially Isaiah (cf. Isaiah 2:1-4; Isaiah 19:16-24; Isaiah 25:6-9; Isaiah 42:1-4; Isaiah 49:5-7; Isaiah 51:4-6; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:1-9, etc.). All this God chose Israel to do. It was Israel’s destiny to give birth to the Redeemer and to be a kingdom of priests in order to take the message of redemption to the whole world. The majority of the Israelites defaulted on that destiny. But God’s redemptive program was not thwarted. He called upon a small minority, a remnant, eleven apostles and a few disciples, and they answered. He sent them to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all the nations. And that message of repentance and forgiveness was validated by the testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (cf. Acts 2:22-42; Acts 3:12-26; Acts 17:30-31, etc.). There is no reason for men to repent if Christ is not raised; there is no hope for forgiveness if Christ is not raised. So Jesus said, You are witnesses of these things. They witnessed only His death, burial and resurrection. They preached repentance and forgiveness because He promises it and His promises are absolutely trustworthy because of His resurrection. Repentance (a change of direction, both in mind and deed) and forgiveness of sin (release from guilt and reconciliation to God) is man’s most fundamental need. Jesus says it is available in His namethat is, by His authority, and in His way of life.

Jesus said to the apostles He would send the promise of the Father upon them. That promise was, of course, the supernatural powers and privileges enumerated by Jesus at various times (Matthew 16:17-20; Matthew 19:28-30; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26; John 20:20-23, etc.). These eleven apostles (and one to be added) would open the doors to the kingdom, establish it, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, and leave with the infant church an infallibly inspired set of documents known as the New Testament. To these apostles would be granted great privilege, great responsibility and great persecutions (Mark 10:30). All those were promises of the Father.

This same conversation in the book of Acts reveals to us that the apostles were still clinging to the materialistic view of the kingdom of God. They asked Jesus if He were, at this time, about to restore the kingdom to Israel, (Acts 1:6). They must, therefore, have the power of the Holy Spirit to accompany their preaching. The Holy Spirit’s miraculous powers working through the apostles would be necessary not only to keep them aware that the kingdom was spiritual and to guide them inerrantly in their teaching, but also to verify their message of the spirituality of the kingdom for the whole world. The spiritual nature of the kingdom of God is foreign to the carnal mind of man. Without the inspired revelation of the Holy Spirit, men would not believe it!

**Luke 24:50-53 Dedicated Devotees: **After admonishing them to stay in the city of Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high, He led them out as far as Bethany (on the Mount of Olives, cf. Acts 1:12), and lifting up His hands He blessed them.

Last of May (Hebrew month, Iyyar), A.D. 30: Twelfth appearance: While He blessed them, He parted from them. Greek manuscripts Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, Ephraemi, Washingtonius and Koridethi, et al, add, and was carried into heaven. We do know that He ascended into heaven because this same gospel writer, Luke, records the event in his Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:9-11). The apostles saw Him go, bodily, up into the heavens and disappear from their sight. He appeared, once more, bodily, to Saul of Tarsus, near Damascus, Syria (1 Corinthians 15:8; Acts 9:3-9).

For a while the apostles remained, staring into heaven, awed, shocked, wondering and probably confused. But two angels appeared and directed them, Why are you standing here staring into the heavens, this same Jesus who was received up from you into heaven, will come back from heaven in the same manner you saw Him go. This filled them with great joy, and they returned to Jerusalem in obedience to their Lord’s word, worshipping in the Temple as they awaited the beginning of their great task to preach His name to the whole world.

The record of God’s redemption according to Luke does not really end here. It continues through the Acts of the Apostles, for the good news resulted in the establishment of Christ’s church first at Jerusalem, and then in the uttermost parts of the civilized world. The Holy Spirit did empower the apostles; He did validate their message with miracles and signs (cf. Hebrews 2:3-4; Acts 2:1 ff.). The Holy Spirit did call to their remembrance all Jesus taught them as recorded in this Gospel and the others; He did lead them into all the truth necessary for the establishment and satisfaction of the church. And the apostles (and thousands of other believers) did go and bear witness to the redemptive plan of God as it was accomplished in Christ.

Jesus did and said many other things than those recorded in Luke’s gospel or John’s gospel or in the other two (cf. John 20:30-31; John 21:25), but all that is necessary for any man to believe and obey Christ unto salvation is recorded in the New Testament. What is recorded in the gospel accounts is sufficient to produce faith in Christ as the Son of God in the heart of any honest-minded individual. We will discuss the matter of believing the gospel accounts in the addendum to this chapter. You will want to read that next!

Tradition says that Luke lived until he was 84 years of age never marrying, and after his death he was buried in a city called Thebes, in Bithynia. We do not know the certainty of all that but we do know Luke’s name will live on while this earth remains and his great faith and dedication to produce an orderly and accurate account after having followed all things closely has resulted in millions of people coming to believe Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God and may result in millions more believing also. We here express our gratitude to God for His divine providence that would call and empower such a man as Luke to put into writing the deeds and sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ. The uniqueness of Luke’s record, compared to the other three records, is a classic example that God wishes to communicate His good news to all men, whatever their culture or whatever their inclinations.