WEDNESDAY 4.12.23: Witnesses – Luke 24:33-49
After recognizing Jesus alive, the two disciples rushed to tell the news. As they spoke, Jesus stood in the room. Luke, a first-century physician (cf. Colossians 4:14), noted details showing Jesus was no ghost, but alive in the flesh. “24:43 he took it and ate it. Many Jewish sources doubted that angels ate human food.” * Jesus clarified the Scriptures to all the disciples and appointed them to share his lifechanging forgiveness. “You are witnesses,” he said. God would empower them for their mission.
Reflection
• Jesus’ summary of his message in verse 47 was “the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations.” In what ways does believing that Jesus rose from the dead change your heart and life? How does the resurrection make credible for you Jesus’ claim to have the divine authority to forgive your sins?
• Pastor Bruce Larson noted that Luke was “familiar with the Greek philosophy that the body and its appetites were evil. The soul and mind were good. The Greeks believed that in death the mind and spirit were freed from their bondage to the body . . . Luke, in spite of his Greek background, underscored the Hebrew theology…of the unity of body, mind, and soul.”1 Later the Apostles’ Creed said, “I believe in the resurrection of the body.” Do you believe in that, and count on it?
Prayer: King Jesus, I am so grateful that you conquered death and offer me the hope of resurrection! Help me rejoice in that hope and be your witness to share that hope with others. Amen.
1Zondervan, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook (Kindle Locations 234651-234653).