Explore the Bible
Associate professor of marriage and family counseling, University of Mobile
RESURRECTION HOPE
Luke 24:1–8, 36–49
Remembering the Reality (1–8)
On the Sunday after Jesus’ crucifixion, a group of women (three of them later identified in verse 10) went to prepare His body for formal burial. They were not able to do this when Jesus was first buried because of the quickly approaching Sabbath (Luke 23:54–56). One can imagine their shock once they discovered the stone was rolled away from the tomb and Jesus’ body was missing. The severe grief the women experienced at Jesus’ death was hard enough to bear, but now they could not perform their final act of respect. Their despair, however, was soon met with explanation as two men who were not normal men greeted the women. Although not identified as angels in Luke, the other Gospels make it clear that these were divine messengers. Though the women were inclined to fear the angels, they quickly pointed them to Jesus, reminding the women that Jesus predicted His resurrection. Of all the events in the Gospels, the most criticism and doubt is levied at the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. These verses reveal the reality of the event. Women in the first century were second-class citizens. Their testimony was not admissible in court, and they had very few rights. Yet in this passage, the first eyewitnesses to the bodily resurrection of Jesus were women. If the early church were going to “make up” a story about Jesus’ resurrection, then it would not have identified women as the primary witnesses.
Beyond the real evidence for Jesus’ resurrection lies a spiritual truth. The angels reminded the women of Jesus’ prediction of His resurrection. When we find ourselves in despair, it is good to be reminded of the real presence of Jesus and the power He has over death. The women’s shock and grief were turned to joy, as they remembered the truth found in Christ.
Experiencing the Reality (36–39)
In the middle of what may have been a debate concerning the reality of Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared. The disciples’ reaction to His appearance was shock and fear. Jesus responded to their fear by assuring them that He was really alive. Notice that Jesus did not condemn the disciples for their doubt but offered proof of His bodily resurrection by allowing them to touch and see the scars on His hands and feet. One early Christian heresy, known as Gnosticism, denied that Jesus had a real body. This passage refutes that idea. The only kind of true resurrection is bodily resurrection. Many today hold a worldview that death is the end and there is nothing after death. These same people reject the reality that Jesus was resurrected bodily. Jesus challenges this worldview by offering the real experience of resurrection to those who follow Him. The disciples did not just have a sudden flash of insight or a group hallucination. They experienced Jesus’ resurrection for themselves, which gave them hope and assurance of life beyond death. The worldview that there is nothing beyond death is shattered by the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
Living the Reality (40–49)
Jesus further affirmed the reality of His resurrection by eating. Taking a meal is definitely not something a ghost or hallucination would do. Jesus reminded the disciples of His teachings and prophecies that ultimately fulfilled Scripture. Notice that Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” A relationship with Jesus is a requirement to really understand the Bible.
The last part of this passage is important. Jesus’ resurrection brought a responsibility to live and share the message of Christ. Simply doing nothing and enjoying a future life after death was not enough. He charged the disciples to live the resurrection by preaching the repentance and forgiveness of sins beginning first at home and then going out from there. They would preach alone. Jesus assured the disciples that “power from on high” would give them the necessary strength to carry out the task He assigned.
The reality of Jesus’ resurrection brings responsibility. Many people celebrate Easter but never live out what it means to be resurrected with Christ (Rom. 6:4–5). To live the new life that Jesus brings means we share the good news of new life with others who are dead in their rebellion against God.
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