Resurrection Sunday

Luke 24:33-49 happened about half a day after Jesus rose from the tomb. Jesus had already appeared to some disciples after His death and burial in the tomb. All the disciples were in a living room, eating dinner behind a locked door, fearing for their lives. They believed the Jewish leaders may seek to kill them as well.

The disciples were discussing reports that Jesus had risen from the dead. The witnesses explained their stories of seeing Him risen. Was this really Jesus? Was it a ghost? The ones who had not seen Jesus may have wondered why Jesus appeared to others but not to them?

The disciples were tired from the recent events of His death. They were grieving and confused about what to do next. Some of you today may be in this same position of anguish and uncertainty. Just as Jesus calmed the hearts of His disciples in this passage, He does the same today.

Condescension

Jesus lowered Himself to the place of a man so that He could display before mankind the very nature of God. Now as the resurrected Lord, He condescended to minister to the disciples' finite needs in spectacular ways.

Imagine everyone going about their normal duties around dinner, when Jesus appeared among them. He wasn’t a spirit; He could do that in His resurrected body. 1 Corinthians 15:49-52 says we will have a body just like Jesus’ resurrection body. With great joy, Jesus appeared in the room in this body to His followers who were grieved. He said, "peace be with you."

Jesus is our peace from God. Sin divided us from God, but Jesus establishes peace by putting to death the enmity between us and God. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Examination

All the Messianic dreams and aspirations of those in the room with Jesus had been dashed. They were discouraged, having accepted Jesus as Lord and desiring Him to be King, but then seeing Him die on the cross.

Jesus encouraged them by touch. He led them to examine His hands and feet, to verify it was Him by touching and seeing His scars. Even through His words He reassured them that He is the I AM. The divine nature of Jesus never died on that cross.

Jesus gave further proof that His body was in fact a physical structure by asking for food and eating it in front of them. Jesus wasn’t a spirit or a result of their imagination.

Commission

Pointing out that things are different now, Jesus said, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Jesus was explaining that the resurrection was true and complete, and everything that Moses said was true.

Then He gave a commission: to go out and take the Gospel message to the nations. Without the message of the risen Christ, there is no promise. He conquered sin, bringing peace between us and God, so He is worthy of bowing your knee to Him.

This message crosses cultural boundaries. No religion before or since Christ has ever had a commission like this. Jesus said to go out and share it with everyone. Christ welcomes everyone to come.

Application Points

Don’t complicate things. No matter what others have told you, no matter the hurts and pains in the world, clear it all away. See Jesus and Him alone.

• Jesus offers peace to you and longs to be that peace. Will you take it? If not, what’s holding you back?
• In eternity, you will stand before Him alone. You need to consider Jesus. Own Him if you do not have Him. If everyone leaves you, He is still enough for you.
• If Jesus has not risen, there is no hope in the promise of His coming and no point in hoping in this belief. If He has risen, we are to go and share the message! Are you doing so?

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore: (if applicable)

• 1 Corinthians 15 - our resurrection
• 1 John 1:1-4 - John’s testimony of experiencing Jesus’ resurrection
• Psalm 22
• Isaiah 53

A Hymn to Encourage: "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" by Charles Wesley

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!