J. The Resurrection (24:1-53)
The final chapter of Luke’s gospel records the discovery of the empty tomb and the appearance of the risen Jesus. Certain important themes emerge from these stories.
It was the women who discovered the empty tomb and the women who brought the news to the apostles. And the immediate reaction of the apostles, as well as that of the disciples who walked to Emmaus, was to disbelieve the women (vv.1-11).
Two men, probably angels, stood beside the tomb. And two disciples met Jesus on the road to Emmaus (vv.4, 13-16). The emphasis on the presence of two people suggests the fulfillment of the law’s requirement of two or three witnesses in support of evidence.
Luke records four appearances of Jesus: to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, to the apostles as a group, and again to the apostles at his ascension. All of them took place in Jerusalem or its neighborhood.
The appearance to Peter is not described, but it is mentioned in 24:34. Peter’s first reaction when he saw the empty tomb was one of uncertainty rather than belief (v.12). But before the end of the day he had seen Jesus.
The appearance described most fully by Luke was to two disciples on the road to Emmaus (vv.13-35). One of the disciples was Cleopas. The name of the other is unknown. Jesus showed them how the Scriptures foreshadowed and prophesied his coming. As he interpreted the sacred writings, the hearts of his two disciples burned within them. His breaking of bread with them was probably a reenactment of the Last Supper, although he did not actually eat with them. But as he gave them the bread, they knew who he was.
On the burning hearts of the disciples John Wesley observes, “Did we not feel an unusual warmth of love?” (Notes, 297), language reminiscent of his description of his own heart “strangely warmed” in Aldersgate Street. The Emmaus story was seen by Charles Wesley (1:304) as a pattern of Christian experience.
Talk with me, Lord; Thyself reveal,
While here o'er earth I rove;
Speak to my heart, and let it feel
The kindling of Thy love.
It is noteworthy that Cleopas and his companion did not keep their experience to themselves but told it to the others.
The story of Jesus' appearance to the disciples later that day (vv.36-49) shows that even in the midst of their joy there was an element of doubt. But Jesus asserted the reality of his resurrection. He was not a ghost: he ate fish with his disciples. He explained how he had already fulfilled the Scriptures in his suffering, death, and resurrection. Moreover, the Scriptures would continue to be fulfilled in the preaching of the Good News to all nations. He commissioned his disciples as witnesses to the events that had occurred. He promised them the power of the Spirit and instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until they had received that power.
Jesus' final appearance to the disciples culminated in his ascension (vv.50-53). Although in his gospel Luke does not clearly separate it from the previous appearance, in Ac 1:6-11 he dates it to the fortieth day after the Resurrection. The Ascension was the climax of Jesus' ministry and prepared the way for the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost.
The gospel ends where it began, in the temple. It began with Zechariah, who doubted the angel’s promise. It ends with the disciples, who praise God for the resurrection of Christ.