Luke 24:33-53

John 20:19-23

Even though Cleopas and one other disciple had just arrived at Emmaus from Jerusalem, that same hour they started the walk back to Jerusalem.  They had amazing news to share: while walking to Emmaus they had seen and talked with Jesus! When they told the others what happened, and how they understood it was Jesus when Jesus broke the bread, they learned that Jesus had also appeared to Simon Peter.

As they were talking, Jesus appeared and said to them, “Peace be unto you.”

Some were frightened and thought they were seeing a ghost!  

Jesus calmed them by saying,

”Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

Then Jesus showed them his hands and his feet and his side.  Then he asked them to give him something to eat. He ate some fish and honeycomb, showing them that he did have a body and could eat.

Then, when their fears were calmed, Jesus taught them more from the scriptures.  He reminded them that he had told them before how all things must be fulfilled that were written in the law of Moses, and in the psalms and in the writings of the prophets. 

He helped them understand that it was all according to the plan for “Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.”

Then he told them why:   “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Jesus said “Peace be unto you” again and added “as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”  Then he and said to them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

Jesus told them that they were witnesses of these things and that they would be “endued with power from on high.”

Jesus took them outside and walked with them a few miles to Bethany.  There, the Bible says Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed them and “while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”  

The last two verses in the Book of Luke say:

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

What do you think?

• Why did Jesus show the disciples his hands, feet, and side?
• Why do you think Jesus showed them he could eat something?
• Jesus taught them that he was not a spirit, but had a body; do you think Jesus still has a body today?
• If these disciples were witnesses of these important events, what would these witnesses be expected to do?
• What is repentance and remission of sins?  Why are they so important?
• What does it mean to be “endued with power from on high?”
• How did the disciples show their happiness about Jesus being resurrected and carried into heaven?
• How can we show our joy about Jesus being alive?

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