A Full Day of Life Change

Agan, Happy Easter to you and your family.  Thank you for worshipping with us today at Emory Baptist Church.

 

If you have your Bibles or your smart device this morning, I invite you to turn to Luke 24.  All four gospels give an account of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, and while I wouldn’t say one is better than the other, we are giving our attention this morning to Dr. Luke’s account.

 

I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “A Full Day of Life Change.”  In this last chapter of Luke’s gospel, its focus is Resurrection Day, and can be easily divided into three scenes that are noted by three different times during that day: the morning, the afternoon, and the evening. 

 

 

1. Life Change in the Morning because of a Miracle, Luke 24:1-12

 

Verse 1 clarifies that we are talking about Sunday morning.  Jesus was crucified on Friday and laid in Joseph’s tomb that same day.  He was there in the grave Friday night, Saturday, and until early Sunday morning.

 

1 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

 

Verse 1 continues with a group of women who made their way to the tomb early on Sunday morning to anoint His body with spices to combat the odor that they expected to find because they thought He was still dead. 

 

According to verse 10, these women included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James.  This would have been Jesus’ aunt.

 

10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.

 

Verse 10 also says they were accompanied by other women.  However, they are left unnamed. 

 

Back in verse 2, when they arrived, the stone had been rolled away.   

 

2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

 

Matthew’s gospel tells us that there had been a localized earthquake that had dislodged the stone, and an angel rolled it away.  However, keep in mind that Jesus was already resurrected meaning that the stone was not rolled away to let Jesus out but to allow the witness to come inside and see. 

 

Verse 3 tells us what they found.  Jesus was not there even though they were fully expecting to find Him there. 

 

3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

 

Verse 4 introduces two angels as men.  Of course they were majestic in appearance, and the women responded accordingly in verse 5 by bowing their faces to the ground.

 

4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

At the end of verse 5, the angels then asked the women why they were looking for the living among the dead, and in verse 6, they also reminded them of what Jesus had prophesied, and they made this historical declaration, “He is not here, but is risen!”

 

6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’” 

 

Jesus had told them this was going to happen.  However, they couldn’t wrap their minds around what they had a hard time believing. 

 

In verse 11 and following, the women then left the tomb and returned to tell the men what they found.  As you know, they didn’t believe them, and Peter had to see for himself as described in verse 12. 

 

11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

 

In our first twelve verses, we see life change that took place in the morning of Resurrection Day because of a miracle.  What was the miracle? 

 

The miracle was that the dead had come back to life.  Jesus was killed on Friday, but was alive on Sunday.

 

How do we know this miracle actually happened, and isn’t some myth or legend?  First, we an empty tomb that was protected by Roman guards.  Second, we have the day of worship changed from Saturday to Sunday in the book of Acts.  Third, we have fulfilled prophecy told in the Old and fulfilled in the New.  Fourth, we have the unique role of female testimony that would not have normally been well-received in the first century.  Fifth, we have changed lives. 

 

This Peter, who had denied Christ on Thursday night and Friday morning, preached in Acts, and thousands were saved by repenting and believing in Jesus.  Lives were changed on Resurrection Day because of the miracle in the morning.

 

 

2. Life Change in the Afternoon because of Appearances, Luke 24:13-31

 

Beginning in verse 13, we see what is often called the road to Emmaus and the first of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances on Sunday afternoon. 

 

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem.

 

Verses 13-18 speak of these two eye-witnesses, and one of them was named Cleopas.  Perhaps it was he and his wife. 

 

18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

 

However, initially, they didn’t recognize Jesus because God didn’t allow it.  Listen to verses 14-16. 

 

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

 

In verse 17, Jesus asked them why they were sad.  Obviously, they were still under the impression that Jesus was dead.  They had heard the report of the women and even saw the empty tomb, but they hadn’t seen Jesus alive. 

 

17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” 

 

In verse 18, while still not recognizing them, Cleopas asked how Jesus had not heard of this awful death.  Evidently, it was common knowledge in Jerusalem since Friday.

 

18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

 

Verse 21 tells us that these earliest disciples were hoping Jesus would empower an immediate and earthly kingdom.  Even after Jesus explained how the Old Testament had prophesied all that had happened, they still didn’t recognize Him.

 

21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

 

After Jesus reminded them that the OT had prophesied all that was supposed to happen, they wanted to hear more and kept Jesus from moving on.  Look at verses 25-27.

 

25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 

 

Verse 29 says that Jesus stayed with them for a while.  He even ate with them in verse 30.

 

29 But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.  30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.

 

It was here, in verse 31, that this appearance changed their lives forever.

 

31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

 

The afternoon appearances of the resurrected Christ changed lives. 

 

3. Live Change in the Evening because of Evidences, Luke 24:32-43

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.  46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”  50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

 

As our scenes transition from afternoon to evening, and after Jesus sat down with this group of disciples and shared a meal with them, it seems this triggered memories of Thursday night or even of Him feeding the thousands.  Verse 31 said they knew Him, but He then vanished. 

 

31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

 

In a mysterious way, Jesus’ resurrected body could be seen and heard, and He could eat.  However, He could also defy time and space limitations and move at will. 

 

Because of what they had seen and heard, they had to tell others.  Therefore, they went back to Jerusalem from Emmaus and told the other disciples that they had witnessed the resurrected Christ.  Look at verses 33-35.

 

33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread. 

 

In verse 36 and following, Jesus then joined them in Jerusalem.  In order to calm them and prove that it was really Him, because they were scared, Jesus offered for them to touch Him and feel Him.  He then asked them for some food, and He ate fish in their presence. 

 

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”  40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

 

What evidences did these disciples experience in the evening?  They saw His nailed pierced hands and feet.  They touched His nailed pierced hands and feet.  He ate in their presence.

 

This was no spirit or ghost.  This was the resurrected Christ!

 

How were their lives changed? 

First, in verse 45, He helped them understand the Scriptures.  Second, in verse 48, He would empower them to take the gospel to the nations.  The Church is Plan A to evangelize the world. 

 

44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

 

Third, their countenance and demeanor changed from sorrow to joy.  Look at verses 52-53.

 

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

 

 

Conclusion

In Luke 24, these folks had their lives changed forever because Jesus was alive.  You too can have your life changed forever because Jesus is alive.

 

How you ask?  If you aren’t saved today, Jesus is ready to save you today. 

 

That means a personal and saving relationship with God.    That means forgiveness of all sins.  That means an eternal home in home.

 

If you are saved, it means remembering that you have the Holy Spirit.  He is THE power you need to share gospel with anyone that God puts in your path.

 

Will you let God change your life today like He did for these folks approximately 2,000 years ago?