The Resurrection of Jesus - Luke 24. (BibleProject)

In Luke 24, the resurrection of Jesus is the climax of the Gospel of Luke and one of the most pivotal moments in the Christian faith. This chapter recounts Jesus' miraculous return to life after His crucifixion and burial, revealing His victory over death and affirming His identity as the Messiah. The BibleProject emphasizes the significance of the resurrection as the fulfillment of God's promises, Jesus' role in God's redemptive plan, and the launching of a new era of mission for His followers.

Key Events in Luke 24:

1. The Empty Tomb (Luke 24:1-12): On the first day of the week, early in the morning, a group of women—Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others—visit Jesus’ tomb to anoint His body with spices. However, they find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Two angels appear and proclaim, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" (Luke 24:5-6). The women rush to tell the apostles, but their news is met with disbelief. Peter runs to the tomb, finds only the burial cloths, and leaves, wondering what had happened.

2. The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35): Two of Jesus’ disciples are traveling to the village of Emmaus, discussing the recent events. As they walk, Jesus Himself joins them, but they do not recognize Him. Jesus explains to them how the Scriptures foretold the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. When they reach Emmaus, they invite Him to stay with them. During the meal, Jesus breaks bread, and their eyes are opened—they recognize Him, and He vanishes from their sight. Filled with joy, they return to Jerusalem to tell the others that Jesus is alive.

3. Jesus Appears to the Disciples (Luke 24:36-49): Later, while the disciples are gathered together, Jesus appears in their midst and greets them with peace. At first, they are startled and think they are seeing a ghost, but Jesus reassures them by showing His wounds and eating with them. He explains that His suffering, death, and resurrection were all part of God's plan, as foretold in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus opens their minds to understand the Scriptures and commissions them to be witnesses of His resurrection, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins in His name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.

4. The Ascension (Luke 24:50-53): After spending time with His disciples, Jesus leads them to Bethany, blesses them, and is taken up into heaven. The disciples worship Him and return to Jerusalem with great joy, continually praising God in the temple.

BibleProject Perspective:

The BibleProject highlights several key themes in Luke 24:

• Fulfillment of Scripture: Jesus’ resurrection is the fulfillment of God's long-awaited promises, showing how His death and rising were part of God’s grand plan for the redemption of humanity.
• New Creation and New Life: The resurrection marks the beginning of a new creation, with Jesus defeating sin and death and ushering in the Kingdom of God.
• Commissioning the Disciples: Jesus commissions His followers to be witnesses, not only of His resurrection but of the message of repentance and forgiveness. This moment initiates the global mission of the early church, which continues throughout the book of Acts.
• Faith and Recognition: In the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the importance of recognizing Jesus through the Scriptures and the breaking of bread is emphasized, illustrating how Jesus reveals Himself in both Word and Sacrament.

Significance:

The resurrection in Luke 24 is not just an isolated miracle but the turning point of the biblical story. It signals the dawn of a new era, where God’s victory over evil and death is declared, and His followers are empowered to share the message of life and salvation with the world. The chapter conveys hope, transformation, and the beginning of the church's mission.