Chronological Gospels: Luke 24
Luke’s gospel account was a collection of witness accounts compiled to become a credible record of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we read the end of Luke’s account of the Gospel, we get a glimpse into how others relayed this incredible finale to Luke, and to all of us.
Several things pop out in this final chapter, such as how many people failed to believe that Christ had in fact risen from the dead. Reading about the disciples who had walked, talked, ate, drank, and lived with Jesus failing to even be able to recognize Him on the road is eye-opening. In their wonder and unbelief, their eyes and hearts were spiritually blind and they could not see Jesus present with them.
Even the ways they explained themselves are important. They recognized that they were prevented from recognizing Him, and Jesus later rebukes them for being slow to believe. They could not see because they did not believe. This is a prime lesson of seeing is not believing – believing allows us to see what God is revealing to us.
What does this teach you about your own spiritual awareness and blindness?
Even though the disciples failed to believe, Jesus did eventually reveal Himself to them. This is again another lesson for all of us. Even in our unbelief, Jesus reveals Himself. This goes along with Romans 1 where the Apostle Paul writes that no one has an excuse because God has revealed Himself to all of His creation. In our lack of belief, we are blinded, but we are still given revelations and opportunities to believe. The Lord still reveals Himself and is present with us, even in our unbelief, waiting for us to believe and follow.
Jesus takes full advantage of this time with the disciples before ascending to Heaven. He shows us the human tendency to unbelief and reinforces the reason for His horrifying death and glorious resurrection. He leaves all disciples, both then and future, with a mission – the great commission – to tell the world what He has done and why, challenges all of us to believe even when we cannot see or understand, and convicts us to trust in Him even when it doesn’t make sense.
What do these final moments with Jesus before He ascended to Heaven teach us about Him and our relationship with Him?
