Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36-49
Message: “You Are Witnesses”
Text: “You are witnesses of these things” (v. 48)
Introduction:
What is a witness?
This is what the American Heritage Dictionary says:
A witness is:
a. One who has seen or heard something
b. One who furnishes evidence
c. Anything that serves as evidence; sign
a. Let’s look at the first definition and relate it to the Easter Season (One who has seen or heard something)
Jesus and the disciples had been together for 3 years.
The disciples as well as many other people heard the teachings of Jesus and saw many of the miracles that he performed.
Those people who saw and heard Jesus were witnesses to the fact that he was real.
The ride on the donkey into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday was read.
There were many people along the way to witness the event.
They saw this with their own eyes.
When Jesus told Peter and John to make preparation for the Passover, he gave them explicit direction on how to do this.
Upon entering the city, Peter and John met the man carrying the jar of water and followed him to a house where there was a room furnished for the Passover.
You see, Peter and John were witnesses to all that Jesus told them.
At the Passover meal, the disciples were witnesses to the words of Jesus concerning the meaning of the bread and the cup.
The disciples heard Jesus say that someone sitting at the table would betray him.
The disciples present heard Jesus say to Peter: “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me” (Luke 22:34).
Jesus then decided to go to the Mount of Olives where he could pray to the Father.
The disciples follow him, but as Jesus went a short distance to pray, the disciples fell asleep and did not witness his prayers.
As Jesus was praying and the disciples were sleeping, an angel appeared and witnessed the prayers of Jesus.
Then a crowd appeared in the garden.
Leading the crowd was Judas, the betrayer.
The disciples witnessed the moment of betrayal.
All who were present at this time saw one of Jesus’ followers sever or cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest.
The people saw what had taken place, so they were witnesses to this event.
Next, all the witnesses saw Jesus touch the man’s ear and heal him.
All present saw with their very own eyes what was taking place, so they were first hand witnesses.
They did not get the information second-hand.
They were not told by someone else concerning these events, they saw the events take place.
The disciples saw the various trials Jesus went through.
There were 5 trials (actually hearings) witnessed by the disciples and numerous other people.
a. Trial before Annas
b. Trial before Caiaphas
c. Trial before the Sanhedrin (council)
d. Trial before Pilate
e. Trial before Herod
f. Trial before Pilate (last effort to avoid condemnation)
Peter denied Jesus three times and then the rooster crowed.
Numerous people followed Jesus as he was being let away to be crucified.
These were all witness to what was taking place.
There were present.
They saw the events with their own eyes.
They truly were witnesses.
Jesus followers, including his mother, watched as Jesus was nailed to the Cross.
They witnessed the raising of the Cross placed between two criminals being crucified.
Luke 23:44-49
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining.
And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
When he had said this, he breathed his last.
The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.”
When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away.
But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
THESE PEOPLE SAW WITH THEIR OWN EYES.
THEY WERE WITNESSES.
b. Let’s look at the second definition of a witness (one who furnishes evidence).
Did Jesus furnish any evidence that he was still alive?
Yes!
John 20:14
At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
John 20:15
“Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
Jesus furnished evidence that he was alive by appearing to Mary.
Mary then was a witness to the evidence.
Then Jesus appeared to the two men traveling the road to Emmaus.
They did not know Jesus as they walked along the road.
But as night time came, Jesus agreed to stay with them for supper.
As they sat at the table, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and gave it to them.
It was at this very moment they realized it was Jesus in their presence.
By His presence and by His actions, Jesus furnished the evidence that made these two men witnesses.
Then as the disciples were gathered together in the house with the doors locked, Jesus appeared to them.
Scripture says: (Luke 24:37-39)
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?”
JESUS APPEARED TO THEM GIVING THEM THE EVIDENCE THEY NEEDED TO BE WITNESSES.
THEY SAW HIM FIRST-HAND.
THEY WERE EYE-WITNESSES.
c. Now let’s look at the third definition (Anything that serves as evidence; sign).
First of all, Scripture says that Jesus appeared to them as they were gathered in the closed room.
The fact that Jesus appeared is a sign and is evidence that it was really him and he was alive.
When Jesus spoke to the disciples, they were afraid.
Jesus told the disciples previously that he would die and rise again.
Luke 18:31-33
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
He will be handed over to the Gentiles.
They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him.
On the third day he will rise again.”
The next verse, verse 34, says that the disciples did not understand any of this.
Why?
The disciples didn’t understand Jesus because they were focused on what he said about his death and did not hear what he said about his resurrection.
Jesus spoke plainly, but they did not grasp what he said.
Scripture says that when Jesus entered the room, not through the locked door, but just appeared, the disciples were frightened.
They were so afraid that they thought they saw a ghost.
Jesus knew what was on their minds.
He knew how they felt.
He knew what they were thinking.
Nevertheless, he asks them the question: “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” (v.38)
At this point, Jesus is about to bring in more evidence to convince them that it is He.
Besides his appearance, he is going to show them something else as evidence so that they can be witnesses.
He said to the disciples, “Look at my hands and my feet.” (v. 39)
They saw the nail marks.
Thomas put his fingers in the nail marks.
They saw the wound in his side.
Thomas put his hand in the wound.
Then Jesus said to them, “It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” (v. 39)
Then Luke’s account says, “And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’
“They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” (v. 41-43)
JESUS GAVE THE DISCIPLES SIGNS AS EVIDENCE FOR THEM TO WITNESS.
Conclusion:
Jesus appeared to the disciples one last time in Jerusalem before the ascension.
Luke 24:46-49
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised: but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The last sign or piece of evidence the disciples witnessed was the Ascension.
Luke 24:50-53
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
We have heard the Word preached many times.
We have read the Word over and over.
We have been actors and actresses in church plays.
We believe the miracles as presented in the Word.
Our prayers have been answered many times.
We have seen miracles happen.
We believe the Bible to be the true Word of God.
By faith, we believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
By faith, we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
We tell others what Jesus has done for us.
We are witnesses for Jesus in every respect.
Amen.
