Luke 24 … Consider Him, the Living One

Originally posted: 10/03/2019

It seemed a collective amnesia had set in. They had forgotten the Scriptures and His very words. Blinded by grief, they retreated to the last place they felt secure. 

Grief often does that—it clouds the mind and sparks a desperate longing for the past. But they were looking for certainty in the wrong place. True certainty did not die in the tomb; it was proven in the resurrection. He belongs neither to the past nor to the grave, for He is the Living One!

“Why do you seek the living One among the dead? ⁶ He is not here, but He has risen,” (24:5-6).

Consider Him, the Living One

He had risen; and now He revealed Himself alive that His followers would be prepared for the days ahead.

• The Living One was revealed as they remembered His Words.
  • “Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, ⁷ saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” ⁸ And they remembered His words, (24:6-8).

• The Living One was revealed as they recognized Him in all the Scriptures.
  • But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him… ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures, (24:16,27).
    
  • Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (24:44-45).

• The Living One was revealed as they released their doubt.
  • 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,” (24:38-39).

• The Living One was revealed as they depended on His power.
  • And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high,” (24:49).

How do we respond to Him, the Living One?

Does it amaze you to realize how He had painstakingly prepared them for what was ahead, according to the Scriptures, and how unprepared they seemed?

But in reality, He has painstakingly prepared us as well; and yet we often find ourselves looking for answers elsewhere.

Our answer is found in His Resurrected Life, imparted to us by His Holy Spirit. As we seek Him where He may be found, He reveals Himself to provide all we need for the days ahead.

• Let us seek the Living One as we remember His Word.
  • Remember how He spoke to you… ⁸ And they remembered His words, (24:6-8).
    • Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. ¹³ I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, (2 Peter 1:12-13).
      

• Let us seek the Living One as we recognize Him in all the Scriptures.
  • Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures… ³² They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (24:27,32).
    • “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me,” (John 5:39).

• Let us seek the Living One as we release our fears and doubts into His care.
  • And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” (24:38).
    • Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 4:6-7).

• Let us seek the Living One as we depend on His power.
  • “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high,” (24:49).
    • ^“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).

The women and the two travelers on the road to Emmaus could not wait to return, not to the tomb, but to those who needed to know He was alive. The question of whether or not they would be believed did not slow them down at all.

And they remembered His words, ⁹ and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest… ¹¹ But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them, (24:8-9,11).

And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ They began to relate their experiences… (24:33-35).

May we be like these disciples, prepared and unable to hold back the good news. He is the Living One! We can trust Him with the outcome, for the days ahead are in His hands. And how can we keep such a miraculous gift to ourselves?

As we encounter Him, the Living One, where He may be found, in His Word by faith and the power of His Holy Spirit, we will be prepared for every day ahead while our worship, joy, and praise are sure to grow.

And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, ⁵³ and were continually in the temple praising God, (24:52-53).

Let’s Grow Together!