When was the last time you received news so good you struggled to explain or believe it?
Consider the following example:
When a cancerous tumor disappears before treatment starts or other medical recoveries, that has no logical explanation.
This type of experience often elicits expressions of “I can’t believe it” from our mouths, minds, and hearts, even though we are full of joy.
Jesus’ disciples experienced this in Luke 24.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. [1]
What were the disciples talking about? Consider the following verses.
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?[2]
What first perplexed the women?
Why did the women become afraid?
The two men in dazzling apparel continued speaking.
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. [3]
What did the two men in dazzling apparel remind the women?
How did the women respond to this reminder? What did they do about it?
Luke continues with the response of 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. [4]
At the time these events occurred, culture did not accept women as reliable witnesses in legal matters.
Why is it important that women were the first to learn and believe in Jesus’ resurrection?
Scripture tells us Peter investigated the women’s testimony and came away “marveling”.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines marveling as feeling astonishment or perplexity at or about something. Believing involves accepting that something is true, genuine, or real.
The NIV translates verse twelve like this:
12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. [5]
Do you agree Peter is still struggling to believe at this point? Why or why not?
Next, Luke shares that two of the apostles headed to another village about seven miles away on that same day. (Luke 24:13)
While they are walking, Luke tells us Jesus joins them but that he kept them from recognizing him. (Luke 24:14-15)
Read the conversation Jesus starts.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” [6]
Jesus next asks them to tell him what happened in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:19) The two men describe Jesus as a prophet whom they had hoped would redeem Israel but was crucified instead. (Luke 24:19-21)
They continue:
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”[7]
These travelers had heard the women’s testimony and Peter’s own investigation, yet still did not believe that Jesus was alive.
Jesus responds they are foolish and slow to believe. (Luke 24:25) He then explained all Scripture contained about himself to them as they continued walking. (Luke 24:26-27)
We learn now that the day is almost over (Luke 24:29) and the two travelers encouraged Jesus to stay with them. Once they sat down to eat a meal, [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. [8]
The men immediately got up to return to Jerusalem because they now believed what the women had shared, but only because they had been in Jesus’ very presence.
Upon arriving back in Jerusalem, they learn Peter also received a visit from Jesus. (Luke 24:33-34)
The women had been told Jesus was alive and shared it with the apostles and others. But the apostles and others did not believe them.
Jesus explains scripture about Himself to the two traveling to Emmaus, who had heard both the women’s report and Peter’s investigative venture. But only after Jesus takes bread to break and bless, then disappears from their sight, do they respond with a touch of belief.
While the apostles are excited about what is happening and even saying they believe, when Jesus suddenly appears amongst them again, Luke describes them as startled and frightened, thinking they are seeing a spirit or ghost. (Luke 24:36-37)
And [Jesus] said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”[9]
But even after Jesus showed them his hands and feet we read:
And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. [10]
Jesus then reminds them:
These are my words that 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.”[11]
Jesus then opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)
Who in this chapter of Luke do you relate to the most? The women? Peter? The two travelers? Why?
How far has Jesus gone to reveal himself to you?
Heavenly Father and Lord Jesus Christ, open our minds today to understand with the help of the New Testament everything shared in the Old Testament that Jesus referred to in Luke 24:44. Help us believe instead of doubt because You are present with us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:36–43.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:1–5.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:6–10.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:11–12.
[5] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 24:12.
[6] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 24:17–18.
[7] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 24:22–24.
[8] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Lk 24:30–31.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:38–39.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:41–43.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Lk 24:44.