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Luke's Telling Story of Jesus - Luke 24
Luke's Telling Story of Jesus - Luke 24
Luke began his story by affirming that it was the exact truth of what was believed and taught by the disciples of the 1st century:
Luke 1:1-4 (1) Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
(2) just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
(3) it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
(4) so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
THEN, Luke ends this part of the story with the claim that Jesus, though crucified and entombed, rose from the dead:
Luke 24:5-7 (5) and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead?
(6) "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,
(7) saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."
So Luke has bracketed his story of Jesus. From the birth of John the Baptist to the resurrection of the Son of God and all that was in between. His life was a life of sinless obedience. Thus the often affirmed proposition that He was sinless (Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5), yet they crucified Him. Such was NOT the end of the story, as Luke now affirms His resurrection from the dead (pay attention as we next read the book of Acts and notice the resurrection story in the sermons of the apostles!)
Paul, the converted opponent of Jesus and His message, would declare that He “was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,” (Romans 1:4)
NOW his death and resurrection are commemorated each 1st day of the week in celebration of the meaning of His death for US: through His death WE have been saved, forgiven, adopted, made spiritually alive, reconciled unto God, and given the very hope of an eternity in the presence of God. I hope this makes you want to read Luke all over again – in one setting – letting the story fill your heart with hope and thanksgiving!
Hugh DeLong
