Jesus is the risen King who is victorious over death, recognized by His disciples, validated by Scripture, and enthroned over all creation. That truth changes our faith, theology, and life. The resurrection also changes our practical living. The resurrection isn't just a doctrine to believe, but a truth should change our behavior. Luke 24 addresses this as well.
Think about the most famous person who died recently, someone whose death made every newspaper and television news broadcast. Imagine a few days later as you watch your favorite news station, a breaking news alert interrupts. The anchor explains that this famous person has come back to life! The nation is in shock. As you change the channel, you discover this news is the subject on every station. You go to work and everyone is talking about it. You browse the internet, and everyone is posting and blogging about it. This is monumental. This is impossible. This has never happened before! Or has it? Read Luke 24:13-49.
"Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” So, they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. And certain 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.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So, they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
If we aren't in awe of the resurrection of Jesus as a historical event, we may only see it as a fairytale. The resurrection is scientifically impossible, but historically true. The resurrection is history-making, earth-shaking, life-transforming, and eternity-changing truth. You may believe it, but do you understand how it changes your life? You may comprehend the theology behind it, but has it yet changed your behavior? Luke 24 shows us how Jesus' resurrection does this.
Jesus' resurrection changes our conversations. Two of Jesus' disciples walk together down a seven-mile stretch of road, having a conversation. It was about the resurrection of Jesus, obviously the most shocking news they had ever heard. A stranger began to walk with them (Jesus incognito), and they were astounded to learn this man had apparently not heard about the resurrection. Notice that their conversation wasn't just about the details of the resurrection, but also about who He was supposed to be, His life, His death, and what it all meant.
The truth of the resurrection is just as shocking today as it was the day it occurred. Don't treat the resurrection as some cold truth you've always heard. Do not allow your understanding and presentation of the gospel to be about the death of Jesus alone. Let Jesus' resurrection change your conversation. Talk about it this week with the same excitement as if it just happened.
Jesus' resurrection changes our Bible study. Staying in stealth mode with His two disciples, Jesus "the stranger" called them a couple of fools and began a Bible study during the journey. If there were any conversation in history you would want to overhear, this would be the one. Jesus walked the men through the entire Old Testament to tell them how it all refers to Him, His death and suffering, and His resurrection and glory (24:27, 44). He began with the books of Moses (the Pentateuch) and led them through the Prophets (ending with Malachi). This was the best Bible study ever! The Old Testament promised and prophesied the whole point: Jesus' resurrection.
Study your Bible with the resurrection in mind. Watch how God takes his people through good-as-dead experiences, such as Isaac's sacrifice, Joseph's imprisonment, and Daniel's den of lions. God loves to orchestrate scenes that point forward to the resurrection of Jesus while leaving the greatest glory for the resurrection itself. In your personal devotions, family Bible studies, Sunday school classes, small group sessions, age-based ministries, and group Bible studies, be aware of the resurrection theme running throughout Scripture.
Jesus' resurrection changes our witness. As Jesus revealed His true identity to His disciples, He taught them a very important truth. His gospel presentation explains how their lives will change because of that truth. "Repentance and forgiveness should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem" (24:47). Don't miss this - repentance does not just mean to turn away from sin. That is only part of the truth. Repentance also means turning to Jesus. Forgiveness means that God will not hold His judgment against us for our sin because Jesus has been judged in our place. "Nations" means that there is not one person on earth who does not need to hear about the gospel of salvation through Jesus.
Repentance and forgiveness should not be whispered, muttered, or mumbled. Witnessing lost people turn from their sin and to Jesus is a joy. Telling sinners who feel the weight, guilt, and shame of their sin about Jesus should be our pleasure. Jesus says that repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed because this is the news that people are dying to hear. The nations are looking for ways to relieve their guilt and shame for sin that only the gospel can bring. Let the resurrection change your witness by proclaiming its truth.
Imagine our country being attacked on our own soil. The invading military wipes out all forms of communication. Our military forces strategize together and strike hard against this enemy. After a long, difficult battle, our military wins the war. Communication has not yet been reestablished. You are assigned to an elite team of messengers that spreads the word that we are no longer slaves and captives of our enemy. Do you go out embarrassed, quietly muttering about victory and freedom? No, you proclaim it! Jesus told His disciples that it is our joyous task to proclaim God's offering of repentance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
