Chapter VII: The Death and Resurrection. Chs. 22 to 24 (2)

The last word spoken by Jesus on the cross was an expression of perfect trust and peace. He had shown his sympathy for others by his prayer, by his promise to the penitent thief, and by his provision for his mother; by three other words he had revealed his sufferings of mind and body and their result in a completed redemption: “My God, my God ...”; “I thirst;” “it is finished.” He now breathed out his soul in a sentence of absolute confidence taken from the psalmist and recorded by Luke alone: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” It was the supreme utterance of faith. The earthly ministry of the Son of God had ended.

Luke notes the effects produced by the manner of Jesus’ death, and by the accompanying signs upon the Roman centurion, the Jewish multitudes, and the Christian disciples. The soldier was so impressed that he “glorified God,” giving his testimony to the fact that the One whom he had crucified as a criminal was a “righteous man.” Possibly he may be regarded as a type of that host of believing Gentiles, of whom Luke liked to write, who were yet to enlist under the banner of the cross.

The crowds of Jews had little real desire for the crucifixion of Jesus; they had been hounded by their rulers to cry out for his death, but they now returned to the city “smiting their breasts” in an agony of remorse, a prophecy of Israel’s future repentance and mourning as they “look on him whom they pierced.”

Most pathetic of all was that group of saddened disciples who “stood afar off” gazing in bewilderment upon the scene; but for them the meaning of that cross would begin to dawn as they should meet their risen Lord. For none of his followers has the cross lost its mystery; yet to them all it has become a symbol of triumph and of hope.

The body of Jesus was given burial by Joseph of Arimathæa, a man whom Matthew designates as rich, Mark as a “councillor of honorable estate,” and Luke as “good and righteous.” Thus together they describe an ideal man from the Jewish and Roman and Greek point of view. Perhaps he is to be criticized for not having identified himself before this more publicly with the cause of Christ; but Luke makes not the slightest unfavorable reflection upon his character. He declares definitely that this powerful and influential member of the sanhedrin “had not consented” to the “counsel and deed” of the rulers who had compassed the death of Jesus; and now in the hour when his Master was most deeply dishonored, he risked the scorn of the people and the hatred of the rulers and begged from Pilate the body of Jesus, which he wrapped in linen cloth and lay reverently in his own new, rock-hewn tomb. It was a deed of loving devotion, and adds a gratifying contrast and a touch of tenderness to the story of the cross.

Other loving hearts longed to have a part in this expression of affection. The women who had followed Jesus out of Galilee, noted the place of his burial and purchased perfumes to embalm the body of their Lord. However, as the declining sun marked the beginning, at eventide, of the Sabbath, they rested until the first day of the week, and then they found that their task was needless. It was well to show affection for the crucified Master, it is a greater privilege to serve a risen Lord.

K. The Empty Tomb. Ch. 24:1-12

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto
the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they
found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 And they entered in,
and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass,
while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by
them in dazzling apparel: 5 and as they were affrighted and bowed
down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye
the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen:
remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7
saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of
sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And
they remembered his words, 9 and returned from the tomb, and told
all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now they
were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the _mother_ of James:
and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.
11 And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they
disbelieved them. 12 But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and
stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves;
and he departed to his home, wondering at that which was come to
pass.

After seeing where Jesus was buried the women who had followed him from Galilee and had ministered to him, began preparing spices and ointments with which to embalm his body. However, as the day drew to its close, because this Friday evening was the beginning of a Jewish Sabbath, they rested from their labor of love until Sunday, “the first day of the week,” and then “at early dawn” they came to the tomb, but were astonished to find that the body of Jesus was gone.

There are several explanations of this empty tomb, but only one which is credible and which accords with the facts. Some persons profess to believe that Jesus did not die, that he only swooned upon the cross, that he regained consciousness after being laid in the tomb, that he escaped and then appeared to his disciples; but Jesus had declared that he was to die and was to rise again on the third day, and he afterwards made his disciples believe that such an experience had been his; this theory, therefore, cannot be held without denying the honesty and morality of our Lord.

A second theory maintains that “his disciples came by night, and stole” away his body; but these disciples continually declared that he rose from the dead on the third day; according to this theory, then, these disciples were impostors; but this can be believed by no one familiar with their subsequent lives and influence.

It is as impossible to believe the third theory namely, that the enemies of Jesus stole his body, for had that body been in their possession, how gladly they would have produced it and thus forever have silenced the disciples who declared that Jesus was alive and that his resurrection proved these enemies had put to death an innocent Man, their divine Messiah.

The only true explanation of this empty tomb is that given to the wondering women by two angels: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee.” This startling statement of the angels embodies the substance of the message delivered by the apostles. The truth it declares forms the corner stone of Christian faith. The resurrection of our Lord is vitally connected with all the realities which relate to his person and work and to the life of his followers.

When, however, the fact of the resurrection had been reported to the apostles, they regarded the words of the women “as idle talk, and they disbelieved them.” This incredulity on the part of the apostles shows the absolute absurdity of another theory advanced by those who deny the resurrection of our Lord, namely, the theory that his followers so eagerly expected him to rise from the dead that their fevered brains finally imagined that he had so risen and they testified to what was only a product of their own fancy. In reality the disciples did not expect Jesus to rise, and, as here recorded, when the truth was reported to them, they refused to accept it until proof upon proof had been given them and doubt and unbelief became absolutely impossible. They were prepared, however, for further proofs by the fact that the tomb in which the body was laid had been found empty. There is even more weighty evidence of the resurrection; but those who deny this supremely important event must give first some rational account of this empty tomb.

L. The Walk To Emmaus. Ch. 24:13-35

13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village
named Emmaus, which was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem. 24 And
they communed with each other of all these things which had
happened. 15 And it came to pass, while they communed and
questioned together, that Jesus himself drew near, and went with
them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What communications are these that ye
have one with another, as ye walk? And they stood still, looking
sad. 18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said unto him,
Dost thou alone sojourn in Jerusalem and not know the things which
are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them,
What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus
the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God
and all the people: 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers
delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21
But we hoped that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yea and
besides all this, it is now the third day since these things came
to pass. 22 Moreover certain women of our company amazed us,
having been early at the tomb; 23 and when they found not his body
they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who
said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them that were with us
went to the tomb, and found it even so as the women had said: but
him they saw not. 25 And he said unto them, O foolish men, and
slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26
Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter
into his glory? 27 And beginning from Moses and from all the
prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things
concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village,
whither they were going: and he made as though he would go
further. 29 And they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for
it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. And he went in
to abide with them. 30 And it came to pass, when he had sat down
with them to meat, he took the bread and blessed; and breaking
_it_ he gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew
him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to
another, Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us
in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose
up that very hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven
gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 saying, The
Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they
rehearsed the things _that happened_ in the way, and how he was
known of them in the breaking of the bread.

No man saw Christ rise; but many saw the risen Christ. He appeared to Mary and to Peter and to James and to “the eleven” and to more than five hundred disciples at one time; but of the appearances on the day of his resurrection none is recorded with more dramatic vividness and more definiteness of detail than that related by Luke when Jesus walked with two disciples toward Emmaus.

This village was probably situated some seven miles northwest of Jerusalem. Thither these two men were moving with sad and discouraged hearts when Jesus joined them and drew from them expressions of their disappointment and despair. The One on whom they had set their hopes of redemption for Israel had been put to death, and although he had spoken mysteriously of a resurrection on the third day, the day was passing, and he had not been seen, although it was true that reports had reached them of a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Such in substance seem to have been their words, in no small measure a confession of obstinate unbelief. They had little expectation that the Lord would fulfill his own promises; the third day of which he had spoken was not ended and yet they were hopelessly turning their backs upon Jerusalem; heavenly messengers had sent them an announcement of cheer which they refused to receive.

It was not strange, therefore, that Jesus rebuked them: “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?” It is noticeable that Jesus did not chide them for refusing to accept his own words, or those of their friends, or those of angels; they were rebuked for not believing the Old Testament. They had accepted it in part; as men often accept just so much as suits their prejudices and tastes and notions; but they failed to believe in all that the prophets had spoken, and particularly the predictions of Jesus’ atoning death, and of his return to the heavenly glory which he would share when he ascended. They listened in wonder to his explanation of the Scriptures, and finally as they were sitting at meat with him they discovered that they were in the actual presence of their living Lord. As he disappeared from sight, they hastened back to the disciples in Jerusalem and found them already wondering at the news that earlier in the day Jesus had appeared to Peter.

No story tells us more impressively the truth that a divine Saviour walks beside us all the way of our earthly journey. It is pathetic that our eyes are so often dimmed by unbelief that we fail to realize his presence. We walk and are sad while we might be rejoicing in his companionship. It may be as the Scriptures are opened to us, or as we meet to break bread in his name, that our blindness will be removed; and surely when the journey ends and we enter the home toward which we are moving, we shall see him face to face, and the vision will not fade in deepening twilight, but grow more glorious through the eternal day.

M. Jesus Appearing To The Apostles. Ch. 24:36-43

36 And as they spake these things, he himself stood in the midst
of them, and saith unto them, Peace _be_ unto you. 37 But they
were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they beheld a
spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and
wherefore do questionings arise in your heart? 39 See my hands and
my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit
hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. 40 And when he
had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while
they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them,
Have ye here anything to eat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a
broiled fish. 43 And he took it, and ate before them.

The incidents of the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, as recorded by Luke, form not only a sequence in time, but also move in logical order. The empty tomb can be explained by no other theory than that of a resurrection; but this was only negative proof. To it was added the actual appearance of Jesus to two disciples on their way to Emmaus. Yet this was not evidence enough. Some persons might believe that such an appearance had been a mere vision, a phantom, a ghost; therefore, as Luke relates the appearance of Jesus to the eleven disciples in the upper room, after night had fallen, he lays stress upon the fact that Jesus appeared in bodily form. When the disciples saw him they thought that they did see a mere specter, an apparition, a spirit, just as many persons have thought, even to the present day; but to forever dispel such a false impression, Jesus, by every possible appeal to the senses, made it evident that he possessed not an “immaterial,” or “spiritual,” or “celestial” body, but the identical body of flesh and blood which on Friday had been crucified and laid in the tomb; in that actual body, scarred by the cruel nails, a body capable of eating food, a material body which could be touched and felt, he appeared to his disciples. Moreover, he solemnly declared that he was not a disembodied spirit; he showed them the wounds in his hands and feet; he declared that a spirit does not have flesh and bones which they saw he had; and finally, to remove every lingering doubt, he took “a piece of a broiled fish” and “ate before them.” The appearances and disappearances of Jesus after his resurrection may have been mysterious or miraculous as was his walking upon the sea in the days of his previous ministry; but he gave his disciples to understand by every conceivable, sensible sign that he had risen from the dead in his actual, physical, human body. The theory that the resurrection can be explained as a hallucination, a vision, or an apparition is forever silenced by the testimony of Luke, the careful historian, the intelligent physician. Upon the foundation of the established fact of a literal, bodily resurrection, this superstructure of our Christian faith firmly stands.

N. The Last Words. Ch. 24:44-49

44 And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto
you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be
fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the
prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their
mind, that they might understand the scriptures; 46 and he said
unto them, Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer, and
rise again from the dead the third day; 47 and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the
nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 Ye are witnesses of these
things. 49 And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from
on high.

It need not be supposed that the last words of Jesus as recorded by Luke were spoken on the day of the resurrection or at any one time or place. They more probably indicate the general substance of those teachings which are given by the risen Christ to his disciples during the forty days between his resurrection and his ascension.

They are luminous with truths which are needed by the disciples of Christ to-day. Among them are such facts as these: The Scriptures contain authoritative messages concerning Christ; these messages can be understood only by those who believe in Christ and are guided by him; the essential truths concerning Christ center in the facts of his death and resurrection; in virtue of the salvation thus secured, repentance and forgiveness of sins can be preached; this salvation is to be proclaimed in all the world; the followers of Christ are the messengers by whom this good news is to be made known; the power for such proclamation is imparted by the Spirit of Christ who was manifested in new power on the Day of Pentecost, and who is now an abiding Presence and a source of limitless strength to all who seek to do the will of Christ and to glorify his name.

O. The Ascension. Ch. 24:50-53

50 And he led them out until _they were_ over against Bethany: and
he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass,
while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up
into heaven. 52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem
with great joy: 53 and were continually in the temple, blessing
God.

The ascension of our Lord was an event quite distinct from the resurrection; it occurred nearly six weeks later, and indicates a number of supremely important truths.

1. Jesus then withdrew from the sphere of the seen and physical to the sphere of the unseen and spiritual. He did not pass up or down through vast spaces of the skies. We are not to think of him as far away. He is an unseen, divine Presence, superior to the limitations of time and space, and capable of being manifest in any period or place. The ascension should make us feel that Jesus is near rather than far away.

2. Jesus then assumed universal power; not at the time of his resurrection, but at the time of his ascension, he was seated “on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” This indicates divine omnipotence. It is the continual representation of the New Testament that Jesus Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth. The ascension should therefore remind us of the limitless power of Christ.

3. It was therefore at the time of the ascension that Jesus entered “into his glory.” Then it was that his body was transformed, made deathless, “spiritual,” celestial, immortal; and then he again began to share the divine glory which he had with the Father “before the world was.” The ascension, therefore, is a pledge and type of the glory which yet awaits his followers. It is an assurance that he yet will fulfill his promises and will again appear; emerging from the sphere of the unseen he will be manifested to all mankind as both the ideal Man and as the Saviour of the world.