It’s The Real Thing, But It’s Not Coke

Luke 24: 36-53

The two who saw Jesus on the road to Emmaus were still sharing their story when Jesus appeared to them. It must have been startling, even though most were convinced of his resurrection.

“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” (Luke 24:36)

Just as he had vanished when the two recognized him in Emmaus, he appeared miraculously in the room, without coming in through the door. John 20:19 gives this description. “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”

It’s not hard to understand why they thought he might just be a ghost. Normal people don’t just appear and disappear at will. They have to use doors or openings of some kind. Even those who believed he was alive would have questioned this.

“But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, 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. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet.” (Luke 24:37-40)

As proof that he was not just a spirit, Jesus allowed them to touch him physically. A spirit has no physical being that can be physically touched, which is why the demons are so desparate to get control of somebody’s mind so they can use his body to do things. Without it, they cannot do the things so many credit spirits with doing. That they could actually touch him was proof that he was a real person. As further proof, he asked for food, and ate before them.

“While they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.” (Luke 24:41-43)

Knowing that we will have a body like his for eternity, I wonder if we’ll be able to appear and disappear and walk through walls and on water like he did? What we know of the atom, that most of matter consists of empty space, implies it should be possible.

For the next forty days, Jesus taught his disciples, clarifying what had happened and instructing them as to what they were to do. John 20:23-21:25 provides the most complete description of the period., while Matthew 28:16-20 and Mark 16:14-20 add a few details. Luke sums it up with the following description.

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49)

Luke finishes with the ascension of Christ into heaven, which none of the others describe.

“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.” (Luke 24:50-53)

This event closes the earthly ministry of Christ, but opens the church age. Luke opens the book of Acts with a more detailed glimpse of what took place, leading to the introduction of the church.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this study as much as I have, and that the Holy Spirit has used it to refresh your memory, or teach things you may have missed. Thanks for taking the time to read it. May God bless your time with him.