Sermon Talkback 4 26 2009
Physical Witnesses—Luke 24:36-48
Context
These verses serve to draw the gospel narrative to a close by bringing clarity to the story and to set forth a theological framework for the sequel of this gospel—Acts. Therefore, these verses are both retrospective and prospective in preparing Jesus’ ministry to expand. The women have appeared at the tomb and the risen Christ has met the two disciples on the road. So Cleopas and the other disciple have rejoined the rest of the disciples some place in Jerusalem when out of nowhere Jesus stands among them bidding them peace (24:36b). Jesus seeks to calm their fears by demonstrating how he is not a ghost.
Jesus’ Resurrected Reality
Luke is seeking to make two almost contradictory points regarding Jesus’ resurrection. On the one hand, the risen Jesus is not restricted by normal physical barriers such as locked doors (John 20:19). His identity can be hidden even in plain sight (24:15-16), he also seems to have a “now you see me, now you don’t” type existence (24:31, 36-42). On the other hand, there still remains physicality to his resurrected reality (24:39-42). His resurrection nature seems to be a transformed flesh and bones existence rather than a mere ghostly-spirit existence.
Ultimate Fulfillment
On the one hand, the divine plan that has been written throughout the scriptures finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus (24:44-46). On the other hand, the one who correctly interprets the divine plan embedded in the scripture is none other than Jesus. Thus, Jesus is both the fulfillment of scripture and the interpretive lens for scripture as it relates to God’s saving activity
Our Commission
God’s saving plan does not stop with Christ’s suffering and resurrection. Rather, it is being enlarged to include his disciples to proclaim repentance and forgiveness ((24:47). Jesus is not just telling his disciples about where he fits into God’ plan. He is also telling them about their missional responsibilities within God’s plan. Jesus commissions his disciples to testify to the ways God’s saving plan is fulfilled in Jesus. This will be played out in the book of Acts.
This active, ongoing, intentional, missional outreach is not an option but plays a central, necessary role in God’s plan to save sinful humanity through Jesus Christ. We are called to be witnesses to the reality of resurrection. We must not lose the connection here that the root of the Greek word for “witness” is the same as the root for “martyr” (24:48).
Now the risen Christ has “opened our minds to understand the scriptures,” how will you be “witnesses of these things?” Jesus sends us to teach not only about his life, death, and resurrection, but also about the need for repentance and hope for the forgiveness of sins.