31: The Resurrected Christ (Lk 24:1-53)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

This chapter centers on the wonderful news, “He is not here, but is risen!” The hour of darkness is over. Christ has triumphed. By His personal appearance and teaching them the Scriptures concerning Himself, the Lord lifted the doubts of the disciples and brought them peace and joy. The purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry now comes into full light, and His ascension brings the gospel to a climactic ending. Not only so, the Lord’s commission to preach the gospel also prepares us for Luke’s next book, Acts, in which the Lord would work with the disciples mightily as they witnessed for Him from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.

B.     Key Verse

            “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, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’” (24:46-47).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.      Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms (24:44): Three parts of the Hebrew Bible. Psalms represents the third division, which is called the Writings.

2.      Bethany (24:50): A village on the south side of the Mount of Olives.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(24:1-12)

(24:13-35)

(24:36-43)

(24:44-49)

(24:50-53)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. General Analysis

1. What transformations took place in

1a. The women? (1-12)

1b. The two disciples? (13-35)

1c. The rest of the disciples? (36-53)

2a. Pick out the verses in this chapter that carry the themes of “purpose” and “fulfillment”—prominent themes in Luke.

2b. Why are these themes so crucial to this chapter?

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     24:1-12

1a. Why is the fact that Jesus Christ is alive central to the Christian faith?

1b. What evidence convinced you that Christ is alive?

2. How do some people today fail to find Jesus because they “look for the living among the dead”?

3. Compare the women’s reaction to that of the other disciples.

B.     24:13-35

4a. What were the two disciples discussing?

4b. What was their mood? Why?

5. According to their words in 21, how did the disciples interpret the Lord’s death?

6. Based on the Lord’s words to the two disciples, what was their main problem?

7. Considering the circumstance, what was remarkable about Jesus’ actions in 30?

8. Has there been a time in your life when you were in despair and thought that you were walking alone, but the Lord was actually near you and was walking with you? What finally made you realize that the Lord was with you?

9. What did the disciples do after recognizing Jesus? What lesson can we learn from them?

10. Applying this story to our walk of faith, what does it take for us to be revived spiritually?

C.     24:36-43

11a. Why did the Lord say to the disciples “Peace to you”?

11b. What kind of peace is this? How does this peace come about?

12. Why was it necessary for the Lord to show the disciples that He was not a spirit?

D.     24:44-49

13a. Why was it important for the Lord to teach the disciples from the Scriptures instead of simply convincing them with miracles?

13b. What lesson can we learn from this about our faith in the risen Lord?

14. Why is it necessary for the Lord to open our understanding for us to comprehend the Scriptures?

15. What does the resurrection have to do with the great commission?

16a. According to the Lord’s instructions, what is the main message of our preaching?

16b. How should we equip ourselves to be preachers of the gospel?

E.     24:50-53

17a. Why did the disciples have such great joy?

17b. How has the resurrection of Christ brought you joy in your life?