Note: Devotion taken from morning and afternoon sermons last Sunday on Luke 24.
“And they said one to another, Did not out heart burn within
us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
(Luke 24:32).
“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of
them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (Luke 24:36).
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 Paul summarized the key four
historical facts that were essential to his preaching of the gospel or good
news of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those four basic facts: (1)
Christ’s atoning death; (2) his burial; (3) his resurrection on the third day; and (4) his
resurrection appearances.
The
second and fourth of those points affirm or prove the first and third point
points. We know that Christ truly died on the cross, because his lifeless body
was placed in the tomb. We know that Christ was truly raised again from the
dead, because he appeared to his disciples in his resurrection body.
All
four of the canonical gospels reach their climax with these four points. One
German scholar from years ago said that the Gospels were “passion narratives with
extended introductions.”
Luke
24 presents an inspired narrative of Christ’s resurrection appearances on the
first Lord’s Day, to the two disciples
on the road to Emmaus (24:13-32) and then to the twelve in Jerusalem
(24:36-48).
Aside
from providing the true historical details on what transpired that day, Luke,
driven along by the Holy Spirit, also provides a template for what will
continue to happen when the saints gather on the Lord’s Day. The risen Lord
Jesus Christ will make himself present and known to us. This happens now by the
Spirit since Christ has ascended and is seated at God’s right hand till he
comes again with power and glory.
When
meeting with him we will say, as the disciples of old did, “Did not our heart
burn within us… while he opened to us the scriptures?” (24:32). The risen Lord Jesus
himself will stand “in the midst” and say to us, “Peace be unto you” (24:36).
He will extend his pastoral care to us, asking, “Why are ye troubled? And why
do thoughts arise in your hearts?” (24:38).
Let
us continue to gather each Lord’s Day to meet with the one who died on the
cross for our sins, was buried, rose again the third day, and appeared to his
disciples.
Grace
and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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