 |
| Easter Monday Reading - Emmaus Disciples |
Luke 24:33 And they [the Emmaus disciples] rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
***
GJ - We have so many explaining the Scriptures in so many different ways, so it is good to hear them from the Savior Himself. Everything must be fulfilled, from
- The Five Books of Moses,
- The Prophets, and
- The Writings.
These are the named divisions of the Old Testament in Judaism. My first Hebrew book had the words inscribed on the cover in Hebrew. I received that book as the Old Testament prize at seminary - for being the best (and only) Hebrew student that year. The dean was puzzled that I would take such a course - he advocated counseling courses.
Lenski makes the point in his Luke commentary that we should take the details of the resurrection appearances as they are, and not adopt the critical approach. After all, many wish they had even more details.
The transition is as striking as the resurrection itself. With the risen Lord before their eyes, the followers could hear that the (Old Testament) Scriptures had predicted everything from the beginning. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, proves the purpose of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings - they all teach this glorious fulfillment, this unified truth of the Gospel. Looking for something else is like standing in a garden filled with bees, birds, rabbits, flowers, and fruits and wondering, "How will the Cubs win another pennant?"
Jesus preached to them that all this must happen, suffering and rising up from death, so that repentance and faith could be preached to the nations. 46 και ειπεν αυτοις οτι ουτως γεγραπται και ουτως εδει παθειν τον χριστον και αναστηναι εκ νεκρων τη τριτη ημερα [Jackson Literal - And He said to them, "Thus it is written and thus it is necessary for the Christ to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day."]
47 και κηρυχθηναι επι τω ονοματι αυτου μετανοιαν και αφεσιν αμαρτιων εις παντα τα εθνη αρξαμενον απο ιερουσαλημ [Jackson literal - "And be preached upon His Name repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations beginning at Jerusalem."]
The wizards of Mordor, Mankato, St. Louis, and Ft. Wayne must be aghast about the lost verses of Luke, which they must assume because nothing is said here about:
- Soft drinks and snacks for the service,
- Friendly ushers with big, car salesman smiles on their faces,
- "Just talking about Jesus" not preaching, and offering practical advice, pacing the altar area with a Notebook in hand.
Besides, that Jerusalem would be a tough and discouraging start, according to their best seminary teachers (Fuller trained, Willow Creek blessed, Trinity Divinity polished).
I am not showing contempt for the LCMS-WELS-ELS - I am doing my best to hide it.
