The first witnesses to the resurrection in Chapter 24 are the women who followed Jesus. Luke tells us very matter-of-factly about their encounter with "two men" who suddenly appear at the empty tomb "in dazzling clothing" (v. 4-8). Reminded by these two, they remember and accept that Jesus predicted his death and resurrection (v. 6-8). They were then the first to spread this good news, or gospel, which they brought to the 11 remaining male disciples (v. 9). The men did not readily accept the gospel (v. 11), but perhaps came around once Peter had checked out the empty tomb (v. 11-12).
Two of Jesus' followers walking to the town of Emmaus are the first to encounter him (v. 13-31). During their lengthy time with Jesus, these sad and confused men don't recognize him (v. 16). It isn't until they are sitting around a table with Jesus, hearing him bless the food and watching him break the bread that they finally recognize who it is (v. 30-31). Beforehand, he does make it clear to them that scripture laid out this path of suffering for the Christ and that there was much prophesied about him (v. 25-27). Do you wonder where those passages are in the Old Testament and what they say? Or perhaps you do know at least some of them and could share with us on Sunday. I'll also be ready to briefly mention some. I like to think that the church's collective understanding of these things started right there on the road as Jesus explained them to these two. Jesus repeats this scripture lesson for the disciples and a wider group of followers in verses 44-45. By the way, the men say in verse 21 that they hoped Jesus was going to "redeem Israel." Any thought as to what they meant by that?
Jesus appears again, this time to the 11, as these two are telling them about the Emmaus road encounter (v. 36). In the meantime, it also seems that Jesus has appeared to Simon Peter (v. 34). Notice the fear and doubt they exhibit (v. 37-38) and how Jesus dispels it (v. 39-40). We don't have the benefit of the resurrected Christ physically standing before us to chase away our fears and doubts. I just want to emphasize how important the witness of fellow believers' experiences with God and our own immersion in his word is to helping us accept and understand the truths Christianity proclaims.
Jesus soon ascends into heaven (v. 51). Right before that, though, he tells the disciples that his death and resurrection was the point of his ministry, tying it to a world-wide proclamation of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (v. 46-47). This takes us back to some of the earliest preaching and teaching of Jesus in Luke. In the midst of all the healing and casting out of demons, he was calling for repentance and forgiving sins. He notes they are his witnesses and commissions them for this proclamation to all nations, starting in Jerusalem (v. 47-48). But they are to wait "until you are clothed with power from on high" (v. 49). This is the set up for Luke's next book, The Acts of the Apostles.
Until then, the last verse of this book says, they could be found in the temple praising God.
