The Best Day

Luke 24:1-53

Last week, the title of our message was “The Darkest Day.”  We started toward the end of Luke 22.  There we saw the familiar sequence of events.  Jesus and the disciples went to the Mount of Olives to pray.    Under great anguish and stress at what Jesus knew would happen, He went off to pray just a short way from the disciples.  While Jesus prayed, the disciples had fallen asleep.  Jesus returns, wakes them, and exhorts them to pray.  While they are still speaking, Judas arrives with a crowd.  They seize Jesus and lead Him away to the house of the high priest.

Peter follows, and while standing in the courtyard, Peter denies that he knows Jesus.  Jesus had foretold this, and when Peter remembers Jesus’ words and realizes he has disowned Jesus, he goes out and weeps bitterly.

Before the council of elders, Jesus acknowledges He is the Son of God.  With this confession, the assembly takes Jesus to Pilate the governor of Judea.

When they have stated their case, Pilate finds no basis with which to charge Jesus of a crime, certainly not one deserving of death.  Through the questioning, Pilate realizes Jesus is a resident of Galilee, so he sends Jesus to Herod since Galilee is under Herod’s jurisdiction.  Jesus gives no answer to Herod’s many questions and is sent back to Pilate.  Pilate offers the chief priest and rulers of the people to punish Jesus and release Him.  They refuse this offer and instead ask Pilate to release Barabbas, a murderer.

Pilate still tries to release Jesus, but the people are near rioting at this point, shouting “Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”  Luke 23:25 says an interesting thing.  It does not say that Pilate condemned Jesus to death, rather Luke says that Pilate surrendered Jesus to the will of the people.

Jesus is taken and crucified between two criminals.  Hanging there on the cross, many insult Him and taunt Him to save Himself if He is in fact the Son of God.  At midday, darkness comes over the whole land.  The darkness lasts until three.  Luke says that the sun stopped shining (23:45).  At the death of the creator of the universe, would it not be fitting that the sun itself would mark the severity of this event.  At three, Jesus cries out, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” And He died.

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Council who had not consented to the decision of the others nor their actions, goes to Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body.  Maybe it is because I am an old(er) man, this scene touches me with grief more and more as the years go by.  Here is Jesus, a young man, just 33 years old, in the physical prime of his life, struck down, crucified, dead.  And here is Joseph, and Nicodemus with Him, both surely older men and perhaps quite old, taking Jesus’ body, wrapping it and placing it in a tomb.  All four Gospels speak of this significant event following Jesus’ death.

Likewise, the women who had followed Jesus, follow Joseph to the burial of Jesus at the tomb. Seeing how His body was laid in it, the women then went home and prepared spices and perfumes, but they rested Friday night and Saturday in honor of the Sabbath.

That brings us to Luke chapter 24.  We will follow the course of Luke 24 to the end which is also the end of the book of Luke.  Before we step into today’s passage and the best day, let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You that You were willing to sacrifice Yourself to deliver us.  Please grant us understanding as we look into the account of Your resurrection.  May Your Spirit fill each one listening and may we rejoice in the good news.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered His words. – Luke 24:1-8

In Jerusalem, the tombs are most often in caves.  The tombs needed a stone over the entrance to keep critters or even thieves and vandals out.  In the case of Jesus’ burial, the tomb had been sealed and a guard placed.  And so, it was strange to find the tomb open.  Matthew explains that an angel had come and rolled away the stone.

Now, it was very early on Sunday, at first light.  Going inside, they find it empty which is even more surprising.  They are not left to wonder for long.  The angels’ opening question is filled with excitement and hope.  The One whom they are seeking is among the living.

Then, the angels remind the women of what Jesus had said.  In Luke 9, after Peter says that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus tells the disciples ...

The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. – Luke 9:22

In John 2, after chasing the money changers and those selling animals for sacrifice out of the temple courts, Jesus is questioned by the people, “What sign can He show them to prove His authority to do this?”  Jesus replies …

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”

They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and You are going to raise it in three days?”

But the temple he had spoken of was His body. – John 2:19-21

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 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.  Luke 24:9-12

We often mention that it was significant that Jesus’ resurrection was revealed to the women first, and how that was uncharacteristic of that time period, that a major announcement would come first to the women.  I think another aspect of that reality that Jesus’ resurrection was revealed first to the women is that the women were the ones who were still seeking after Jesus even at first light after the Sabbath.  Jesus reveals Himself to those who seek Him.  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9) 

The others including the Eleven could not understand, and they didn’t believe them.  Sometimes, we get frustrated if others don’t understand the good news.  But, it is not only a thing of explaining and reasoning, there has to be a movement of the Spirit of God to open hearts and minds to the truth.  We should not underestimate the need for prayer in evangelism.

Peter goes on a quick run to the tomb.  He sees the situation, empty and the strips of linen lying there empty, the body gone.  This also was not enough for Peter.  He is still wondering.  Obviously, something happened.  The body is gone, but he does not see the possibility of resurrection … yet.

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 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?" "What things?" He asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him; but we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus." He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. – Luke 24:13-27

This account is found only in the book of Luke.  It is such a blessing that we have it recorded.  You know the scene.  Two disciples, not of the original twelve, are walking along for a couple of hours, to a village near to Jerusalem.  They are walking and talking about what has happened.  As they are walking, Jesus overtakes them walking in the same direction.  I take it as an evidence of Jesus’ humility and sense of humor that He doesn’t reveal Himself directly.

Why does Jesus come to these two disciples?  We don’t have a definite reason.  However, they are actively trying to make sense out of the situation.  They are talking about what has happened to Jesus.  Is this not the point when Jesus reveals Himself to His people?

Jesus asks what they are discussing.  At first, they can’t even bring themselves to answer, or don’t know where to start.  Finally, Cleopas comes back with a question for Jesus.  Even if you just arrived in Jerusalem, how can you not know what has happened?

Jesus allows them to tell what has happened with a simple question of His own.  “What things?” He asks.  That’s a good reminder for us in conversation.  Sometimes we want to show what we know or feel like we have to answer every question that comes our way.  Often, there is wisdom in asking another question so that you can understand where the questioner is coming from.  In Jesus’ case, He knows where everyone is coming from.  Jesus allows the disciples to speak and to know for themselves where they are coming from.

What is it all about?  It’s all about Jesus, but they don’t confess Him as Messiah, but rather as a prophet.  Jesus’ death has taken their hope that He was the One who would redeem Israel.  But now, there is news that Jesus could be alive.  The tomb is empty, but the men who went to the tomb had not seen Jesus … yet.

Now Jesus speaks; He speaks boldly.  Didn’t things have to happen this way.  Why didn’t they believe what the prophets of the Old Testament had said?  Didn’t they explain that the Messiah had to suffer and then enter glory?  He doesn’t rebuke them and walk away.  Jesus proceeds to explain beginning at the beginning (the books of Moses) and go through all the prophets.  Luke says that Jesus explained what was said concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.  There is a lot to be said.  I expect Jesus is talking for an hour or more.

The Scriptures, Jesus explains, were written well before Jesus was born.  Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, and the last book written chronologically, was written more than 400 years before Jesus was born.  Genesis was written down more than a thousand years before that.  Isaiah 46:10 gives the very words of God, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand.’ ”

How can we tackle what Jesus would have mentioned in that time?  Last week, Brian mentioned Genesis 3:15, where God Himself foretells that the seed or offspring of Eve will crush the serpent’s head, while the serpent will strike His heel.  From this verse just 9 verses from the fall and only a short time after they ate the fruit, we see that a deliverer would come, and that deliverer would be a human being.  As Genesis continues, God focuses what family line the Savior would come from.

God gives promises to Abraham saying that “through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me.” (Genesis 22:18, 26:4)

Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, prophesies in Genesis 49 about his son Judah, that “the scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his.” (v. 10)

King David is from the tribe of Judah.  God gives the promise to David that it would from his offspring that, “One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.” (Psalm 132:11)   The prophecy about David’s line is reinforced multiple places, including Isaiah 9:6-7, Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:14-15, and Ezekiel 37:25

In Deuteronomy, Moses foretells one of the roles that would be fulfilled, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.” (18:15)  Jesus confirmed these verses spoke about Him in John 5 when He chastised the Pharisees for thinking that by studying the Scriptures they would have eternal life.  Rather, the Scriptures, including the books written by Moses, testify about Jesus. Moses wrote about Jesus.

The later prophets continually talk about another role of this coming ruler.  In Isaiah, in chapter 40, it is written,

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and He rules with a mighty arm. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. – Isaiah 40:10-11

Ezekiel, Micah 4:4, and Zechariah 13:7 contain prophecies about the shepherd.  In John 10, Jesus explains He is the Good Shepherd.

Then, there are the prophecies about Jesus’ birth that we know well from Christmas. Isaiah may hold the most prophecies about Jesus, beginning with the familiar words from chapter 7, ”Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” (7:14) And Micah gives us the place of Jesus’ birth, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2-4)

Zechariah tells how this ruler will arrive, “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (Zechariah 9:9) which is how Jesus arrived in Jerusalem the week before His crucifixion.

Even the way that Jesus suffered and died was foretold.  “I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting.” (Isaiah 50:6) “See, My servant will act wisely; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at Him--His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness.” (Isaiah 52:13-14)

Daniel wrote simply, “The Anointed One will be put to death and will have nothing.”  (9:26)

But what of the resurrection, what does the Old Testament say about that?

Well, in Psalm 16, David prophesied in the place of Jesus with the words, “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. (v. 9-10)  Jesus rested in the grave only one full day.  He was laid in the tomb on Friday and rose on Sunday.  We’ve talked before about how Hebrew counting includes the first partial day or year as being the first.  Jesus rose on the third day, but it had been part of Friday, all of Saturday, and part of Sunday, the third day.  Peter referred to this in Acts chapter 2.

Jesus was asked for a sign by the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Matthew 12 (verses 39-42 and Luke 11:29-32).  He answered that the only sign that would be given to them was the sign of Jonah.  As Jonah was in the belly of the whale for 3 days, so would the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth.  Jonah is an Old Testament example of the coming Messiah.  Jonah’s prayer includes vivid imagery of death with similarities more like what happened to Jesus than to himself.  “From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. ... To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.” (Jonah 2:2, 6) Jesus also made clear speaking in Matthew 12 that He is greater than Jonah and greater in wisdom than Solomon.  That also helps us think about the many roles Jesus fills, His excellence, the supremacy of Christ.

There is another prophecy of the Old Testament that connects with the resurrection.  Hosea is quoted in Matthew after the visit of the wise men.  If you remember, an angel told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and flee Herod’s wrath by going to Egypt.  Matthew 2:15 says, “And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Out of Egypt I called My son.’ ” which is Hosea 11:1.

In Hosea 6, there is another prophecy.  This prophecy, like others in the Old Testament, has a parallel meaning because it is included in a message to the people of Israel.  It applies to Israel, but it has its complete fulfillment in Jesus. “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up.  After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight.”  (Hosea 6:1-2, Isaiah 49:3)

(Matthew 27:51 – Jesus was torn, and the temple curtain was torn.  Hebrews 10:20 – A new and living way was opened through the curtain, that is His body.  Isaiah 53:4, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection.  1 Corinthians 12:27 – We are all part of the body of Christ.  Romans 6:5 – We are united with Him in His resurrection.)

Isaac, too, is a foreshadowing or figurative example of the resurrection.  The story is told in Genesis 22.  God speaks to Abraham to go to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac there.  Then, Abraham sets out on the journey, and there is even a reference to the third day in that story.  “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.” (Genesis 22:4) It was on that day, the third day of the journey, that Isaac’s life was spared.

Hebrews 11 spells it out for us,

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. – Hebrews 11:17-19

In Isaac, we have both the picture of a man being offered as a sacrifice, and that same one being returned to life.  Jesus, God’s one and only Son, was offered as a sacrifice.  He gave His life, and He was raised from the dead.  Jesus is the perfect fulfillment.  Jesus is deliverer.  Jesus is Savior and Lord.

As the disciples walked along the Emmaus road, Jesus expounded far better than I can what had happened.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread. – Luke 24:28-35

With Jesus’ exposition of the prophecy from the Old Testament, Cleopas and his fellow disciple are not feeling as downcast as they had been before the met Jesus.  When Jesus breaks bread, they recognize Him.  It says that twice.  How many significant things happened when Jesus breaks bread: feeding of the 5000, the feeding of the 4000, the Last Supper. Jesus is the bread.  He said, “Take eat, this is My body.”  In John 6, Jesus told those of the 5000 He fed who followed Him back to Capernaum,

“The bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” The people replied, “Always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”  -- John 6:33-35

The news that they have seen Jesus is too good to keep to themselves.  They must return to Jerusalem at once and share what they have seen.  I’m certain that the return trip to Jerusalem was a lot faster than their trip out to Emmaus.

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? 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 see I have." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 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. He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 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. 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." – Luke 24:36-49

Jesus gives them many proofs to confirm that He is not a ghost which some of them suspected despite all that they had heard and seen.  He shows His wounds from the cross.  He offers them to touch Him and feel His physical body.  He also eats with them which is not the kind of thing ghosts do.

He then reminds them all that he had told Cleopas and his friend.  Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me.  Then, we see another critical point.  Jesus opened their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures.  They needed it, and so do we.  Apart from the Spirit, we cannot understand the things of God.

Jesus sets the vision also foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 55:5) that the message will be preached in His Name to all the nations and that the disciples gathered in Jerusalem are the witnesses.  The implication is these witnesses will be the first to testify about Jesus to Jerusalem and beyond.

The closing verses of Luke 24 take us into a summary of the Acts chapter 1.

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. – Luke 24:49-53

This was a different departure than Jesus’ prior disappearances following the resurrection.  He blesses them indicating a departure, a separation.  The disciples saw Him ascend.  It was clear that this was a different occurrence.

The reaction of the disciples indicates what they thought about Jesus at that moment.  They worshiped Him.  He is God, not merely man.  Yes, Jesus is a man, fully man.  And, He is fully God and worthy of worship.

I’m a little surprised at the emotion.  It was not sadness, but joy that the disciples felt.  Finally now, they see the big picture.  They are glad for what Jesus has done, and they are excited for what He is going to do still.

They only have to wait ten short days until the spirit of God arrives with power on Pentecost, and the disciples set out to proclaim Christ with all boldness.