Luke 24:1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they and some others came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They entered in, and didn’t find the Lord Jesus’ body. 4 While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing. 5 Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.
They said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He isn’t here, but is risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”
Upon returning to the tomb on Sunday morning they found the tomb empty. Jesus’ body was gone. As they were wondering what could have possibly happened, two frightening, bright, shining angels appeared before them with an explanation saying, “Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again?”
The impossible to believe ancient prophecies were true. The Messiah was raised to life on the third day. Look, for example, at just some of Isaiah’s prophecies recorded in Isaiah 53.
First, Christ stood in our place taking the punishment that we deserved for our sins.
Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…
He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed….
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Second, this was necessary because,
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
We have all intentionally strayed from God, doing whatever we pleased. And the wage that we earned for our rebellion is death: the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 Death is the inescapable predicament that mankind finds itself in. We all lament:
Death is my truly mortal enemy. The closer I come to it, the more I hate it, and I consider it the bitter, serious task of my old age to temper that hatred, to come to terms with it, and to make my peace with the great unfairness of human life.
(John Hersey, Living Philosophies, Doubleday)
Third, Christ was the fulfillment of all of the Old Covenant sacrifices. He was the true Passover Lamb of God that all of the sacrifices anticipated. His goal was to redeem us from death.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth… his life an offering for sin.
Forth, Christ experienced death.
For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Fifth, death could not hold him. As the disciples just discovered, Christ rose from the dead, seeing the light of life!
After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…
he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. By his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
The disciples came to honor and bury the dead, but, instead, they left rejoicing, going back to town to tell all of the disciples and the eleven apostles the Good News, the Gospel… Death no longer has to be our mortal enemy. Death has been conquered.
In fact, instead of being our mortal enemy, the Bible teaches that because of Christ, death is a blessing. Blessed are the dead who die believing in the Lord from now on. Revelation 14:13
In what ways is death a blessing?
- Divine Appointment: It is appointed unto men once to die. Hebrews 9:27
Because God has given us his Revelation in the Bible we can live our lives and face death without fear. Death is, in fact, a divine appointment made for us by God in his perfect timing.
2. Gathered to your people: Do you remember the parable about Lazarus? Luke 16:19 After his death he was immediately with his ancestors. Another example of this is in Genesis 25:8, Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man full of years, and was gathered to his people.
We naturally miss and grieve our loved ones who have died before us. But here, God gives us a great promise. In death we will be gathered to join in the new life of eternity with our people.
3. Departure: In speaking of his death Paul says, “The time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6
Paul speaks of death as a departure. Have you ever experienced the excitement of a ship departing from the dock? Have you ever anticipated leaving on an exotic cruise, getting away from the daily grind and exploring a new world? For the believer in Jesus Christ, death is an exciting departure.
4. Sleep: In Luke 8:52 when Christ raised Jarius’ daughter from the dead he stated that when her spirit had left her body she was sleeping. Years later Paul would write, We do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or grieve or have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Death is compared to falling asleep suggesting that one day God will free us from the cares, worries, anxieties, and pains of this life. A great release from the stress of life is to turn out the lights and sleep. One day God will grant us the renewal of eternal rest. Hebrews 4:1
5. Exodus: Peter chooses an interesting way to describe his death. “And I will make every effort to see that after my exodus you will always be able to remember these things.” 2 Peter 1:15 Think of Israel in bondage to Egypt. They were enslaved to cruel taskmasters. The Exodus was the turning point from bondage to freedom. Their chains were broken and they were freed.
For believers the burdens of this life, the pressure to conform to this world, the slavery to our sinful nature, the temptations, will all be gone in death. We will be granted freedom just as Israel left behind her oppressors in her Exodus.
6. Folding up a tent: “I know that I will soon put aside the tent of this body I live in.” 2 Peter 1:13-14
Death is like folding up a tent. Have you ever gone camping or backpacking? It can be great fun, but there usually comes a point where you are glad to pack up the tent and head home to a shower, running water, and electricity.
For the believer death is like packing up and going home, as Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” As Paul taught, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
A tent isn’t made to last forever but the house that God has promised us is everlasting. We are to enjoy the tent for now while we are here doing God’s will, but God has something wonderful in store for us after our labors here are completed.
Luke 24:8 They remembered his words, 9 returned from the tomb, and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them told these things to the apostles. 11 These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.
Even though they told the apostles the Good News, the apostles didn’t believe them… these words seemed to them to be nonsense. But, nevertheless, Peter decided to investigate for himself. He ran to the tomb where he saw the empty burial clothes.
Luke 24:13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. 15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”
19 He said to them, “What things?”
They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus, the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of us went to the tomb, and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
After the Sabbath two discouraged disciples are walking the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they walked they were discussing how the religious leaders had framed Christ and subsequently had Christ crucified. As they talked Christ caught up with and walked with them to Emmaus. Not hiding their disappointment and confusion over the events of the last three days, they told the stranger walking with them what had been happening.
Luke 24:25 He said to them, “Foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.” He went in to stay with them.
Not recognizing the identity of their companion, they listened as Jesus, beginning from Moses and from all of the prophets, explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Wouldn’t you have loved to hear that lesson as Jesus explained the meaning of the whole Bible?
The disciple’s hearts were burning [when Christ] opened the Scriptures to [them.]
Luke 24:30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, then he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us, while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Finally, at supper, the disciples’ eyes were opened, and they realized that their companion, the man who had explained the whole Bible to them, was in fact, the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Even though it was late in the day, they left Emmaus and immediately retraced their seven- mile journey back to Jerusalem so that they could tell the other disciples the news of Christ’s resurrection from the dead.
Luke 24:36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took them, and ate in front of them. 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”
As the disciples were hearing the account of Christ’s resurrection, Jesus himself stood among them. And just like he had explained the whole of Scriptures in Emmaus, he explained to all of the disciples all things which are written in the Law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms concerning [himself].
Wouldn’t you have loved to hear that lesson as Jesus explained the meaning of the whole Bible?
Well, the good news is, the disciples preserved all of Christ’s lesson to them in their writings, now know as the New Testament. By reading the New Testament we can understand how all of the Law, prophets, and Psalms, from beginning to end, pointed to Christ. We can be assured that this is true because Christ promised:
The Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26
Additionally, Paul assured the church that Christ has left us his inspired Word in the Scriptures.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46 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, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Equipped with the true meaning of the Scriptures, that God has made provision for sin, by studying God’s Word, rebellious men may learn how they can be reconciled to God. Equipped with the knowledge that God had defeated the thing that men feared the most, death, the disciples are told that it is their responsibility that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in [Christ’s] name to all the nations.
But, before heading out into the world with the Gospel, the Good News of salvation in the defeat of death, Christ instructs the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until [they] are clothed with power from on high; The Holy Spirit.
All believers are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his Spirit and by faith, and have fellowship with him in his grace, suffering, death, resurrection, and glory. United to one another in love the saints have fellowship in each other’s gifts and grace and are obliged to perform those public and private duties which nourish their mutual good, both spiritually and physically.
(Westminster Confession of Faith, The Fellowship of the Saints)
Luke 24:50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven. 52 They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
Then, Jesus led them out of town, and after blessing his disciples he fulfilled the prophecy given by Daniel, the same prophecy that he had referred to at his trial. He ascended into heaven where he is now seated at the right hand of the power of God. Luke 22:69
With great joy the disciples awaited the arrival of the Holy Spirit, an event that Luke will describe in his second book, The Acts of the Apostles.