Studies by Book
Luke 24 1-8 JESUS HAS RISEN 08 02Mar2022 Luke 24 5-6 Witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus
📖 Luke 24:1-8
08 – 02Mar2022 – Witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus - Luke 24:01-08 - JESUS HAS RISEN - Bible reading: Acts 17:2-3
“Thank You, Jesus, that as we live the life of resurrection, everything becomes completely different. Thank You for making the life of resurrection a reality for us. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.”
Luke 24:4-8 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. (5) Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? (6) He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, (7) saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' " (8) And they remembered His words.
Resurrection is transformative. The disciples. who were in confusion, fear, dread of what would happen to them, in the Gospels, are suddenly, completely different, as we meet them in the Acts of the Apostles. In the book of the Acts, we see them, as brave and bold for Jesus. They were willing to lay down their lives of the Gospel. They were free from everything that had hindered them earlier.
Yes, it was the filling of the Holy Spirit that changed the disciples but we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of resurrection.
Acts 2:32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. This was the basis of their life and witness. It was the resurrection of Jesus.
We see the Apostles before the Jewish crowd in the temple after the lame man was healed.
Acts 3:15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
They made it clear that they were witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus.
Now, we see the Apostles before the council, which was the highest Jewish body. The disciples were being threatened, beaten and being warned not to speak and teach in the name of Jesus. Look at the response of the disciples to such a high body.
Acts 5:29-30 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. (30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
There is no display of fear, instead, we see a display of boldness of taking the fight into the opposite camp.
We then see the message of the resurrection of Jesus to the Gentiles.
Acts 10:38-40 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (39) And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. (40) Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
Throughout the Acts of Apostles, it was repeatedly the message of resurrection that drove the disciples.
This is the message for us to impact the world for God. We are not purporting a dead religion or a dead religious leader, we are witnesses to Jesus, who is alive and who is alive in us.
Nothing will stop us. Nothing will keep us quiet for we are witnesses to Jesus who is alive and who is alive in us.
Acts 4:33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
This could be asserted as the base statement for the lives of the Apostles.
We see an example of this ministry of resurrection.
Acts 17:2-3 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ."
This was a mixed audience to whom Paul and his team were preaching in Thessalonica. Their message to them was the message of the resurrection of Jesus. What was the impact of the message of resurrection on the people of Thessalonica?
I Thessalonians 1:8-10 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. (9) For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, (10) and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
The message of resurrection was what transformed Paul and his team. It was the message of resurrection that transformed the people of Thessalonica. Not only of Thessalonica but the whole of Macedonia, Achia and in every place, people began to serve the living and true God.
Thought to ponder
Are you mirroring the Apostles?