Chapter 24
My wife and I enjoy watching crime dramas—everything from Law and Order to those complex “whodunnit” mystery movies. I’ve always been fascinated by the justice system, from the early stages of a police investigation all the way to the courtroom trial. Ideally, the story ends with a satisfying verdict and justice served, though it’s not always the outcome I would personally prefer.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in a few trials—both civil and criminal—as a police officer and as a private citizen. The courtroom process, especially testifying, is unlike anything else.
When someone is called to the witness stand, they’re there to speak about what they personally saw, heard, or experienced. A witness isn’t supposed to argue a case or push an opinion. They’re simply there to share their firsthand experience.
As I read the final chapter of Luke recently, I was struck by how rich it is in spiritual truth. It beautifully tells the story of the victory we have through faith in Jesus. But this time, something specific stood out to me—two powerful moments of witnessing.
First, in verse 27, Jesus reveals the mysteries of the Prophets to His companions. He testifies directly to them, opening up the meaning of the Old Testament. And who better to do that than the Author Himself?
Then, in verse 48, Jesus makes a direct statement to all Believers: “You are my witnesses.” This is our calling. No matter who we are or where we are in life, Jesus wants us to share our personal experiences with others. He’s not calling all of us to be theologians or expert debaters. He’s asking us to be honest witnesses—to speak about what He has done in our lives.
God wants to connect to all people from all walks of life. Everything we go through, especially the hard times, are to be used to encourage someone else. Those experiences are not meant to break us down, but rather to build others up. So if you’re in a difficult season, don’t think God has forgotten you. He is using you—to be a strong, authentic witness who can share with someone who needs to hear it. For we know everything here and now is simply temporary. We know all pain will depart, and that eternal joy is ahead. We are to be God’s “bright-side” to the world because of what Jesus did for us. So let your witness shine!
Jesus Has Risen
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. [This is why Sunday became the common day of Christian Worship as opposed to the Sabbath, or Saturday.] 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [The stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out, for in the gospel of John we see that he was able to walk through barriers. The stone was rolled away to show others he had risen.] 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words. [How many promises of God do we forget to remember when we are in a state of grief and stress?]
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. [Greek: leros, meaning utter nonsense, a fairy tale, too incredible to believe.] 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish [unwise, unknowing, ignorant, lacking intelligence] you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained [literally, unfolded the meaning, expounded, translated for clear understanding] to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Was not our heart [singular] not burning within us [plural] while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” [Implying a singleness of purpose, a unity of spirit]
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” [Ghosts do not eat. But only true flesh and blood. Jesus wanted to show them he was real, not spirit.] 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. [This is the same thing that occurs with us once we believe in him and start reading God’s Word. He opens up our understanding. That is why many unbelievers see God’s Word as something foolish and complicated. They wear dark glasses that cannot see or understand.] 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
