The Gospel of Luke comes to a climax in chapter 24. The dominant theme in this chapter is that the Scriptures (Old Testament) predicted both the suffering and resurrection of the Christ as the necessary prelude to the promised kingdom. At the conclusion, Luke briefly summarizes the mission Jesus gave to his followers to proclaim…
As Luke draws close to the conclusion of his book, he records Jesus’ words as he entrusted his followers with a message and mission. The message is the good news of forgiveness declared in the Scriptures and secured by Christ’s death and resurrection. The mission is global in scope, proclamational in nature, and empowered by…
Two unknown disciples hurried to Jerusalem late on Resurrection Day to share with the other believers the truth about Jesus’ death. They learned this truth in the Scriptures as taught by Jesus along the road to Emmaus. As they explained these things, Jesus suddenly appeared among them. The account that follows (Luke 24:36-43) describes the…
As we previously studied Luke 24:13-27, we “eavesdropped” on a conversation that took place on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the first Resurrection Day. The conversation occurred between two obscure disciples and the risen Christ, though he walked with them incognito. The disciples were forlorn and agitated because Jesus was crucified. So, Jesus…
On Resurrection Day, two followers of Jesus left Jerusalem and walked to the little town of Emmaus. On the way, they aired their discouragement, frustration, and confusion caused by the death of Jesus. But then, the Lord Jesus, incognito, joined them on their journey. He confronted their lack of faith and proceeded to show them…
In our continuing study of the Gospel of Luke, we come to the end of Jesus’ Passion Week. His suffering has ended and death gives way to life. Last Lord’s Day we contemplated the significance of Jesus’ burial. We know that Jesus was really dead—but all of that changed as we will see in Luke…
Luke 23:50-56 has a somber tone. Jesus, now dead, was buried in a borrowed tomb. The Lord’s body was prepared with both respect and haste. Luke singled out two groups who participated in this grim act of love. First, a man named Joseph played a cameo role—his only appearance in the gospels. Second, the women…
In Luke 23:39-43, one of the two thieves condemned to die with Jesus joins in the ridicule, blaspheming the crucified Messiah. The other thief challenges and rebukes him for his failure to fear God. He reminded the first thief that, unlike them, Jesus had done nothing wrong. Turning to Jesus, he asked Jesus to remember…
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 23:32-38), Jesus is led the place of his execution. The injustice continued as he was crucified between two thieves, scoffed and mocked. Some onlookers thought it amusing that the placard above Jesus’ head declared that he was the King of the Jews. But we know that…
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 23:26-31), Jesus leaves Pilate’s judgment hall and moves toward the cross. The focal point is Jesus’ conversation is his interaction with a group of women who followed him through the streets of Jerusalem, weeping as they went. He told them that their tears were misplaced. Instead…