Luke

By Joyce Webb 2021

Chapter 24 Verses 36-53

Verse 36 The disciples were gathered together in a room. They had been listening to the two men —who had seen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Suddenly, Jesus stood in the middle of the room.

He had not come in through the door. He had appeared out of no where.

He said to them, “Peace be unto you.”

Verse 37 They were very afraid. (I imagine, it would be like seeing an angel–suddenly in front of you.)

The Bible says—the men thought they were seeing a “spirit” or a ghost.

Verse 38-39 Jesus said, “Why are you troubled?” “Look at my hands and my feet.” (They would have the marks where the nails were.)

Jesus said, “It is myself. Touch me. A spirit or ghost does not have flesh and bones–as you see I have.”

Verse 40 Jesus showed them his hands and feet.

Verse 41 They were still doubting him—not sure if to believe him— yet they were full of joy and wonder at it all.

Jesus said, “Do you have any meat or something to eat?”

Verse 42 So they gave him a piece of fish and some honey.

Verse 43 Jesus took it and ate it. (Ghosts do not eat.)

Verse 44 Jesus said, “These are the things that I told you about. All these things that have happened to me—are things that Moses, and the Old Testament prophets, and David said in the psalms—-they told about these things would happen to me. All these things had to happen to fulfill prophecy.

Verse 45 Then he opened their understanding so they could understand the scriptures. (I imagine, that Jesus began to quote some of the prophecies about himself. And they could see, how all those things happened to Jesus.)

Verse 46 Jesus said, “It is written, that it was the right thing for Christ (the Messiah) to suffer, and to be raised from the dead the 3rd day.”

Verse 47 “ So that repentance and the remission (removal–forgiveness) of sins should be preached—-in his name—-among all nations—-beginning at Jerusalem.”

Verse 48 Jesus said to the men, “You are eye witnesses of these things.” (You are the ones who have seen these things happen.)

Verse 49 “I send the promise of my Father upon you,—but tarry (wait) in Jerusalem until you are given power from on high.”
(We read about this in Acts 2)

Verse 50 Jesus led them out as far as Bethany (less than 2 miles).
He lifted up his hands and blessed them.

Verse 51 While he blessed them, he was lifted up into the air, and went up into heaven.

Verse 52 They worshipped him. They returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

Verse 53 They continued to go to the temple. They praised God and blessed his name.
————————————————–

(My thoughts: I can imagine that at first they were sad and disappointed that Jesus left them and went to heaven.

It took some time for them to understand that the reason the Messiah-Christ-Jesus came to earth—was not to be their earthy king. That the reason he came—was for one reason—to pay the death punishment for man’s sin.

Jesus came to die in man’s place—so man did not have to die for his own sin.

Our bodies die—but our spirits can now live forever with God

Our spirits do not have to die in hell forever.

Some day, Jesus is coming to earth again. That time He will be the King of the whole earth.

As we watch things happening around the world, and even in our own nation—it seems that the time of the Great Tribulation and the One-World Leader-Anti-Christ is very near to happening.

Read the prophecies—watch what is happening—keep your heart–spirit right with God. Be ready to go in the “rapture”—the “gathering up into the clouds with Jesus.”