The story continued to be amazing. The women and Peter saw the empty tomb. The men walked and spent the day with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They had dinner with Jesus and now as they were discussing the day with the disciples, Jesus appeared and told them, “Peace be with You!” Luke then describes Jesus showing the disciples His scars and setting their hearts at ease. He had returned with power and glory. He was alive!
Luke’s Gospel then fast forwards to the Ascension. Jesus led the group to Bethany and blessed them one last time. He gave them final instructions and then was carried on to Heaven. He told the group to stay close and wait until they were clothed with God’s power to continue the mission. For Luke, that ended part one of the story. The excitement was that Luke was a very central part of part 2.
As one looks at the Gospels, each one looked at Jesus life from a different perspective and spoke to a different audience. When one becomes a lover of God’s word, we see the amazing life and sacrifice Jesus made so that we could be redeemed, restored, and empowered to lead others back to the Lord.
We need to embrace the Lord and His mission for our lives. Like the disciples, like the Gospel writers, and like those who have gone before us, we must embrace God’s grace and allow Him to lead us through this crazy chaotic life. As we do, He will change us, and transform us into the people of God that he can use to spread His Gospel throughout the world.
God Bless You
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit 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 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,[b] 43 and he took it and ate before them.
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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for[c] the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension
50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Walking With God 