Luke 24:28-53
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
36 While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
My family and I came to Nashville, for a couple of days. We will return back to Roanoke on Saturday evening. We are staying here at the Upper Room ministry guest house. This is the reason why the devotion is being sent out so late. But at the same time, it feels so appropriate.
What does the Passage say?
V. 36-49 Then, while they were still speaking, Jesus appears to the group of disciples. He reminds them about the prophecy, and what they have to do. Even though the disciples were terrified and started, they are filled with the joy of seeing Jesus.
V. 50-53 Jesus then leads them to Bethany and ascends into heaven. They come back to Jerusalem, filled with joy, waiting for the Holy Spirit. The story continues in Acts.
What does the Passage say to me/us?
Jesus reminds and awakens the disciples of their mission. It says, “He went on to open their understanding of the Word of God, showing them how to read their Bibles this way. He said ‘You can see now how it is written that the Messiah suffers, rises from the dead on the third day, and then a total life-change through the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed in his name to all nations – starting from here, from Jerusalem! You’re the first to hear and see it. You’re the witnesses. What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay her in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high” (v. 45-49 The Message).
He reminds them of the sole purpose of being a follower. We are to be witnesses to the work that is continued to be seen and heard.
The questions I would like us to ponder on today is ‘Are you a witness?’
Prayer
Lord, we are called to be a witness of your salvation. Help us to remember that purpose and follow the mission today. In Christ, AMEN.
Click to subscribe to our Daily Devotion.
You will receive a devotion in your inbox every morning.