March 9, 2020
Central Truth
The good news of Jesus' resurrection is revealed! Both the women at the tomb and the two people on the road to Emmaus were reminded of the truths that Scripture had foretold regarding God's plan. After believing this good news, they eagerly shared this news with others.
And he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory!" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And 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? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, 11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles 1 24:13 Greek sixty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then 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?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and 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 these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some 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.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And 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 acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They 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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
These verses hold amazing news, and yet the tendency of the human heart to doubt is repeatedly revealed. In this passage, we see a call to remember truth, believe in this truth, and share this truth with others.
The tomb was empty! The ladies who had come to care for the body stood confused until angels appeared. When the women were reminded that Jesus had predicted His own death, they did not get stuck in disbelief or frustration. Instead, they remembered Jesus' words and believed. They did not keep this news to themselves, but went and told others of the marvelous news about Jesus.
Luke then takes us to meet two people leaving Jerusalem, heading to Emmaus. Have you ever been asked whom you would choose from history to sit next to at a dinner party? Well, I just might choose these two people who had an encounter with our risen Savior. News of Jesus being alive was brought to them through the women who had seen the two angels, yet they still seemed confused. This was when Jesus graciously stepped onto the scene.
First, Jesus called out their unbelief. He reminded them the crucifixion was not without purpose, but necessary for the punishment of sin to be paid. Jesus taught how all the Scripture shows that this was always God's rescue plan.
Can you imagine that conversation? Jesus taught how all Scripture points back to Himself! Even though I wish I could have listened to that conversation, I am reminded that God still reveals truth as we spend time with Him today. We do not need these people present at a dinner party to learn truths about Jesus. As we remember these truths, I pray that we choose to believe them and eagerly seek out ways to share these truths with others.
It is God's kindness that reveals truths from Scripture through the Holy Spirit. While we cannot snap our fingers and understand it all at once, we do get to choose our response. Their response was to go and tell others. How will you respond?
1. Do you believe the truth of the news of Jesus? That Jesus had to be crucified, taking on the punishment for death; and on the third day He rose to have victorious power over sin and death?
2. How do you remind yourself or have others remind you of the truth of this good news? (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
3. If you believe that the Lord is risen, what keeps you from eagerly telling others your story of how Jesus has revealed these truths to you? Who is someone you could tell this news to today? (Romans 10:14-15)
4. Do you tend to believe that you can work hard enough to learn all the truths found in the Bible on your own? Have you stopped and asked the Spirit to help reveal truths found in Scripture as you spend time in the Bible? (John 16:13-15)