The Best News

“Peace and Joy in the Resurrection of the Lord”

(Luke 24:36-53)

[36] As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”

Do you want real peace? The resurrected Jesus announced that peace to His disciples. He did not do that in a Bible verse. He came in person to them, risen from the dead. The resurrection of the Sin-bearer is the ultimate declaration of a new world beyond the curse. It is the greatest good news.

[37] But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

This was not how it was received by His frightened disciples. They thought that they were seeing a spirit from the land of death, rather than a man of ultimate permanent life.

[38] And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” [40] And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. [41] And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” [42] They gave him a piece of broiled fish, [43] and he took it and ate before them.

Whatever the word “spirit” meant to them, it did not mean a resurrection man. Jesus was and is a resurrection man. A resurrection man has flesh that can be seen and touched. A resurrection man can eat. A resurrection man is realer than anything you have ever seen.

[44] Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

The reality that Jesus would be this forever man in front of their eyes was what he had revealed to them prior to His death. He would be the fulfillment of everything that the Messiah was to be according to the Scriptures.

[45] Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things. [49] And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

They had not understood all this before, but now He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures that taught about the Messiah, His eternal life, and the proclamation of His victory to the world by the promised Holy Spirit of God that would be sent to them.

[50] Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. [51] While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God.His message began with peace and it ends with joy. Jesus Christ, the Resurrection Man has come. We have His blessing upon our lives and upon our new mission. Today, if you hear His voice, worship Him, and rejoice in the promise of the Father, now fulfilled in Christ. He is the living Head of His body. We are His body, His family, the church.