Remember how he told you
While he was still in Galilee:
‘The Son of Man must be delivered
into the hands of sinful men,
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be crucified,
and on the third day be raised again.”
(Luke 24:5-7).
Next the women ran back to the eleven disciples, to bring them the news. The disciples did not believe it and just thought the women were making it up from their shock of Jesus’ death. Also this evidence from the women was very difficult to prove in the Jewish courts, as women were not allowed to claim as witnesses, as they were not to be believed. On hearing this news, Peter ran straight to the tomb, to find strips of linen on the floor.
On that same day, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were talking about how Jesus was a powerful prophet, and how the Jews had killed him. Everyone had hoped Jesus would be Messiah to save the nation of Israel from the Romans. Jesus joined them, but they did not recognise him. He asked them what they were talking about. They were shocked that he didn’t know! They told him everything, about how the women had found the tomb empty, and how the two angels said that Jesus was alive. Jesus explained, as a scripture had foretold:
“How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe,
All that the prophets have spoken!
Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and enter the glory?”
(Luke 24:25-26).
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As they reached their destination, Jesus made out that he was going further. The two men persuaded him to stay for a meal. At the table Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke the bread, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and then he disappeared. They realised that he had risen as Messiah, like the scriptures had foretold. They returned to Jerusalem to tell the eleven Disciples. These two men did not recognise Jesus when they first met him, which shows that Jesus had ‘changed in appearance’ like the scriptures had said. To make the men recognise him, Jesus took bread at the dinner table, gave thanks to God, and broke the bread. They recognised this from when Jesus had done it before.
The disciples were in the Upper Room talking about what the two men from Emmaus road had just told them. Jesus then appeared among them and said:
“Peace be with you.”
(Luke 24:36).
The disciples were terrified, and thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said to them:
“Look at my hands and my feet.
It is I, myself!
Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones,
As you can see I have.”
(Luke 24:39).
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He showed them his hands and feet, and as they still did not believe it, because of the joy and shock of it he asked for something to eat. They gave him some broiled fish, and he ate it in their presence. He said to them:
“Everything must be fulfilled
that is written about me the Law of Moses,
and the Prophets and the Psalms.
The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day”
(Luke 24:44-46).
He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures. He said:
“Repentance and the forgiveness of sins
will be preached in his name to all nations,
beginning in Jerusalem.
You are witnesses to these things.
I am going to send upon you what my father has promised.”
(Luke 24:47-49).
Jesus led the disciples out of the city, towards Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. He was then taken up into heaven. A cloud hides him. Two angels say:
“This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven,
will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
(Acts 1:11).
The Disciples returned to Jerusalem, filled with joy.
