Luke 24 Commentary
Jesus is dead; so what? Chapter 24 explains it.
It just has to be the first day of the week; the first day of creation or new creation. Something supremely important is taking place in creation. The old is gone the new has come.
Women are not only part of the picture; they are first in the picture. It is never a clean connection but who wouldn’t want to think of the role of the woman in creation – childbearing and life itself. They are first on the scene when the LORD decides to create life. A man is probably out ‘hunting’ when they get the news of the new birth!
So it is in this gospel. The men are informed of the new life whose posterity they must carry on their shoulders henceforth!
We are familiar with the dual angelic manifestation of God’s presence – be it in the form of the Pillar of Fire and the Pillar of Cloud or even more prominently, the dual cherubim structure of the Ark of the Covenant. So it is here. We have the two angels beaming with lightning who inform the women of the resurrection of Jesus. They shouldn’t look for the living among the dead, the women are reminded!
Yes, the two Marys, Joanna, and others. It is a known team!
Of course and as usual, the men didn’t believe the women! A fact-finding mission led by Peter yields nothing. An empty grave, yes; but no angelic appearance! A team of women who went on a worship mission got their reward!
Two Emmaus disciples engrossed in sadness as they discussed their ‘fallen’ hopes also get their reward. Normally, we receive a visitation when we seek the LORD with an open heart. Doubt isn’t a very good environment! You cannot bet on it!
And the famous statement: “Are you the only Jew…who does not know the things…” Ironically, Jesus is the only Jew who knew everything! Yet Jesus wants you to explain the known so that you can know. He wants you to pray, to say it so that you can understand. He knows more about your prayer than you do but wants you to say it. It is in the process of you saying it that revelation comes. He reveals Himself in the scriptures. We need to love the scriptures!
Indeed, how foolish we are! Shouldn’t we be happy that we get our salvation from this process? Shouldn’t our own small ‘crosses’ make us rejoice because of what they mean to Jesus? Shouldn’t those who suffer shame and loss because of the name of Jesus be even more jubilant?
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Verse 27. That is, the Torah and the Prophets or writings – what we call the Old Testament. Your Bible explains Jesus!
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Verses 46 and 47. You need Jesus to understand the scriptures. We can pray for enlightenment. Revelation happens when the LORD reveals Himself in the scriptures! Forget any other means!
The mention of nations is important because it opens the door for the rest of us. The LORD is up to something unimaginably bigger than physical Israel.
The last section records the ascension of Jesus. The storyline takes us straight into the Book of Acts. But the Gospel of John will provide a pleasant ‘interruption’ for now.
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LOVING SCRIPTURE 