YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS
Luke_Ch24B_M_DavidGates
Luke 24:36-53
Key Verse: 24:48

“You are witnesses of these things.”

Happy Easter! This week we finish studying Luke’s gospel. We studied for a long time, with a few intermissions to look at other books too. It is hard to remember when we started so I looked in my computer files and found Bible materials from October 2022, about two and a half years ago. It is almost like disciples spending three years with Jesus. But like the disciples in the Gospel, we have a short memory and forget a lot of things we studied. It is amazing that even if we cannot remember well what we learned, Jesus reminds us today that we are witnesses of the things we read about more than two years ago. Thank God the risen Christ provides the refresher course with a concise, simple message that we may easily remember. Let’s pray to fulfill his plan for our lives to be witnesses of all the things he shared with us for as long as we live on this earth.

SLIDE Peace be with you.

Last week, Luke shared how the disciples started learning of Jesus’ resurrection. Several ladies heard about it from some angels who stood near the tomb. Then two disciples who heard from the ladies bumped into Jesus on the road without recognizing him. They studied the Bible on the way and finally realized who he was the moment he broke some bread to share with them. They returned to Jerusalem to meet the others and shared their story. Then they learned Jesus even appeared to Peter. At this moment there was an understandably high level of confusion among Jesus followers. They heard the most unimaginable, but happiest news and yet have to admit it is impossible, so they wondered if their friends lost their minds. (SLIDE v36) Then see how Jesus revealed himself to them all in verse 36. 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus knew they would be startled, and expected them to be amazed, but he knew they really needed peace above all things.

(SLIDE John 14) He described his peace in John’s gospel 14, just before his arrest saying, 27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. … Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid,” and told them he would go away and come back, then go to the father. They were living the fulfillment of his promise at that moment. Greeting them by saying, “Peace be with you” is the way to sprout his peace in them so they may begin to trust God as Jesus did. Roman Peace was not helpful, and Jesus did not promise peace that the world searches for. He even told them they would have trouble in the world. However, when the peace of God is with them they could trust the will of God and accomplish their own parts in the world mission plan, after Jesus ascended to the father. (SLIDE v37-42) This reminder was minimally effective. First they thought Jesus was a ghost. Then they were amazed and joyful when they could touch him and eat snacks together, but were still unable to believe their eyes.

We can totally sympathize with their situation because dying in such violent, unmistakable circumstances of crucifixion, with even a soldier’s spear stabbed in the side, we know there is no way for someone to be alive. Our eyes and realistic observations show us that death is the end. Yet, God shows us in Christ that there is a resurrection where bodies seem to operate in spite of any damage. Jesus’ body even seems to be improved since he could appear here and there at will. The disciples should have peace from knowing that God is able to resurrect and improve them, no matter what happens in this world of trouble. (SLIDE 1 Corinthians) In 1 Corinthians 15, Apostle Paul wrote: 1Co 15:42-44 42 “… The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power …” He lived with the peace Jesus gives and was sure that dying, as we know it, is only a taking a rest on the way to everlasting life.

SLIDE Everything must be fulfilled

As they relaxed a little bit, Jesus continued the Bible study in verse 44. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” It is much like the message that the angels shared with the ladies last week. Though Jesus told them several times about the ordeal he endured, they never took him seriously. Even Peter tried to say such things could never happen. (SLIDE Luke 9,17,18) Luke shared four times that Jesus specifically mentioned being arrested, rejected, mistreated, killed and even raised to life, but it went in one ear and out the other. I wondered if things may have gone differently in the hours after his execution and burial, if they understood what Jesus told them ahead of time. (SLIDE protesters) Maybe they would have made protest signs and marched around Jerusalem shouting “Just like Jonah, up from the sea; Jesus our savior, on day three!” But Jesus realized their situation and let one of Zechariah’s promises come true. (SLIDE Matthew & Zechariah) He even told his disciples it would happen in Matthew’s gospel. Yet when they saw their friend and good shepherd taken away, they only despaired and went into hiding. Until now the disciples’ minds were scatterbrained and the big picture operation to scatter them all over the world with Good News was just beginning.

(SLIDE v46-47) Jesus said, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” It certainly includes his life as a typical Jewish man, his ministry of helping the needy and proclaiming the year of the lord’s favor, also the facts that the nation rejected him and the grave could not hold him and that he makes intercession for his people, and even details about his burial. There are other verses about his heavenly ministry and supreme authority over God’s kingdom and the world mission plan that still need to be fulfilled. The details were elaborated and described in the apostolic letters and many parts are still being accomplished by the believers’ coworking. So, at this point in the gospel, the main work was done by Christ, but there was and is much more to do. Everything will not be fulfilled until the disciples’ message reaches every end of the earth and God finishes gathering all his people from all the nations. Even we are trying to help in some small way with a Bible study and message sharing or helping send a messenger here or there.

SLIDE he opened their minds

Though he reminded them what he said several times they still were not on the same page. Jesus realized they needed some sort of spiritual brain surgery. Verse 45 says “… he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” It seems like a progressive work of helping his followers get up to speed. (SLIDE 6-8, 30) Previously, the ladies remembered Jesus’ words when the angels reminded them and two disciples’ hearts burned while Jesus opened the Scriptures for them on the road, now it seems the whole assembly got a divine blessing all at once. (SLIDE v45) Until now their minds were closed by their lifelong Jewish instructions about the scriptures. They read the Bible every week and had a general hope about an everlasting kingdom and mixed ideas about resurrection and they tried to obey the law in practical ways. In that state of mind, many things Jesus said to them never registered, and their hopes were all the time worldly focused. Now that their minds are open they will understand all the lessons Jesus taught and they will read the  verses they misunderstood with new eyes.

SLIDE v46-47 Let’s read verse 46 and 47. “46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” There must have been many light bulbs blinking in their mind like a fireworks show as they realized insightful things were written about Jesus. They will have jaw dropping moments as they recognize Jesus’ real messianic mission and see the Bible describe their own lives in God’s plan. We might struggle to understand their situation because we have the Bible in hindsight, with the Gospels and New Testament letters to help us understand. (SLIDE Luke 22) But see this example in Luke 22. Just before going to the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus plainly told the disciples that he would be numbered among the transgressors. It meant he would be executed as a criminal, but they did not understand. Peter thought they would all be seen as revolutionaries by Rome, and he was excited when Jesus told them to get their swords ready. When his mind was closed, he hoped to have Pilate’s head on a platter in a few days and he tried to start the revolution by attacking the establishment posse, but Jesus stopped him. (SLIDE 1 Peter 2:24) See how his perspective changed when his mind was opened. Peter understood Isaiah’s prophecy described Jesus saving his people and shared the deep meaning in his first letter. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” With their open minds, disciples like Peter could see Jesus as the good shepherd who leads them and works for them 24/7 and they were happy to share the good news.

(SLIDE v45-47) This example helps with the context of Jesus’ description of the scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” It means they need to be familiar with Scripture verses that describe Jesus, his service to all and his future plan. It is possible to take Jesus’ words out of context and end up “over-thinking” what he meant. The simple meaning is that he opened their minds to understand the real meaning of many scriptures he shared with them during his ministry. We might include Jesus’ own prophetic lessons too, since they are scriptures to Christians now. By over-thinking the principle we may try to find Jesus in every Bible story and verse, which can lead to strange conclusions. It has even led faithful Bible teachers into completely false prophecies like Brother Harold Camping. He used to find Jesus in almost any Bible passage, but failed three or four times to predict his return and the rapture. The last time was a very big disaster.

Thankfully, some apostles, their disciples and the unknown author of Hebrews shared many of the Scripture verses they realized were about Jesus, so we don’t have to go overboard trying to understand. The most famous scriptures found in the gospels might be what Peter shared from Isaiah 53 but there are a few others. Let’s look at a few references that they shared after their minds were opened to understand Jesus’ mission and vision.

SLIDE The Christ will suffer

John shared two things that were written about Jesus’ suffering in chapter 19 of his letter. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. (SLIDE John 19v36) Verse 36 says, “These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”
Psalm 34:19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; 20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

(SLIDE John 19v37) 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”
Zechariah 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.


SLIDE and rise from the dead

In his message to the crowd in Acts chapter 2, Peter shared the most well known scripture  indicating Jesus would rise from the dead. It was written by King David. Peter said, “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
Psalm 19:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

(SLIDE Acts 13:32) When Pharisee Paul’s mind was opened he shared a carefully hidden reference to this with the Jews in Pisidian Antioch. In Acts 13:32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ” ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.’
Psalm 2:7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord : He said to me, “You are my Son ; today I have become your Father.

We would never see how this relates to Jesus’ resurrection if not for Paul’s open minded letters and Luke’s faithful recordkeeping. We would think it is a promise about Jesus’ birth, or baptism or the time God declared “this my son” at the transfiguration mountain bible conference. But Paul shared his mind opening explanation in Romans 1. He described the gospel that God “promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is a higher level concept, but absolutely true, trustworthy revelation of things written about Christ that were fulfilled.

SLIDE on the third day,

Jesus provided the most important scripture about this when some skeptics asked him to prove he was somebody by showing them a miraculous sign. Matthew’s gospel shares the detailed account. He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” After he was executed, his accusers remembered this lesson and tried to ensure he could not appear to have risen from the dead by posting guards at the tomb, but they failed.

(SLIDE Ephesians 2:4) Among all scriptures that mention three days or third day, Hosea chapter 6 includes one that might need to be fulfilled. It says, “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.” It sounds like a prophet asking the Israelites to repent in general terms or maybe encouraging them to fast in sackcloth for three days. But open minded Jews might understand the principle that Jesus restores all who belong to him, whether old or New Testament believers when they are in him. There are a few other examples of someone doing something for others in the future or past, like Paul describing Levi making an offering through Abraham. See how Paul wrote to the Ephesians that “.. God raised us up with Christ.” He uses a past tense, although Paul was not resurrected yet, he considers believers already seated with Jesus. There might be a theological definition for this interdimensionally-united-already-reigning with Christ idea, but without a direct reference to it in the New Testament letters we can only appreciate that verse as a possibility.

(SLIDE Gen,Ex,Es) Some investigators trying to understand if the third day is otherwise indicated in Scriptures conclude that it would be relevant to Jews whose mind was opened because some other significant things in the Bible had a three day time frame, similar to Jonah’s experience. For instance, Abraham traveled three days with Isaac to offer him according to God’s instructions, the Israelites consecrated themselves for three days before God spoke to them at Mount Sinai, and even Ester had a three day fast before approaching the king and eventually working out a rescue for the Jews. There are other things that lasted three days before God worked. This kind of theory does not require a Bible verse to specifically describe a prophetic event as long as the event fits a common pattern found in the Bible. In that case, Jesus saying his resurrection would be on the third day definitely fits a pattern of God’s plan and revelation and even saving grace that Jews read about often. For Christians, this method of associating a Bible story or even legal requirements with messianic accomplishments is called typology and can be subjective, even leading to the false prophecy problem. But since you are also witnesses of the things that were fulfilled, we have to understand how they could be meaningful to the Jews who had their minds opened at the beginning.

SLIDE repentance and forgiveness of sins

The last part of things Jesus says must be fulfilled is all about the new covenant described by the prophet Jeremiah (31:33-34) “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord . “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord ,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord . “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (SLIDE Hebrews 9) Jeremiah’s prophecy is included in the letter to the Hebrews while describing Jesus’ work as the high priest and mediator of the new covenant, serving in the true, heavenly tabernacle forever.

SLIDE to all nations

The fact that his good news and salvation go beyond the Jews, to all the nations, is also found in the Old Testament. Apostle Paul shared some of the places in Romans 15:8-12. “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” (Psalms 18:49)
10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”  (Deuteronomy 32:43)
11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” (Psalm 117:1)
12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” (Isaiah 11:1)
Paul was called by Christ as apostle to the gentiles, so his first person testimony about these scriptures being fulfilled in Christ is the surest connection that we can rely on when we think about Jesus fulfilling all that was written about him in Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.


SLIDE You are witnesses

Right after opening the disciples’ minds to relevant scriptures in Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms he gave them their mission. We think it applies to us too. Let’s read verse 48 together. “You are witnesses of these things.” The apostles were known as country bumpkins from Galilee who followed Jesus of Nazareth, a town nobody expected anything good to come from. They were working class people with very few connections to the established scholarship of their day. But with their minds opened to the scriptures, and soon with the power of the Holy Spirit upon them, they challenged their nation in Jerusalem and their message is still reaching all nations of the world. The message is not complicated, and we don’t need to overthink the things Jesus tasked us with sharing. They are no longer deep secrets hidden behind a veil of mystery.

(SLIDE Luke 10) In Luke 10:23-24 Jesus turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” The apostles are the first person witnesses of all things that were written coming to pass, so their testimony and messages are really all we need to share, as witnesses of those things. Sometimes we think we are missing something when a ministry or evangelist comes up with a profound theory or missing link between the Old Scriptures and Jesus’ work. They can be interesting side notes, and sometimes turn out to be mixed up, money making enterprises that fizzle out eventually.

SLIDE AI  Studying this time, I hoped an AI would produce a very detailed list of everything that the scripture said about Jesus that should be fulfilled, but they only gave back the most generic description I ever imagined. There was not even a Bible verse reference in the answer. It seems like God still needs human beings to share the message. (SLIDE Acts 2) Praise the Lord for inviting us to serve as his witnesses according to the NJUBF key verse for 2025. I pray the Holy Spirit may help me be a witness because Artificial Intelligence is useless. Like the disciples, I am a low-brow fellow, jar-head mechanic who turned into a tow-truck driver, then a help-desk representative and then a computer system tinkerer and now a teleconferencing system consultant in the lost world. I tend to read the Bible like a user manual rather than study it like a textbook. Yet, by the amazing grace of God, I can be an ambassador for the Kingdom of God, a witness to all nations that the Son of God gave his life as a sacrifice that set me free from the power of sin and death by faith. Hallelujah! If Jesus can use me, he can use anybody as his coworker and witness when we are united with him and remain in him, simply standing on the firm foundation he provided, Christ the cornerstone and all the apostles who gave us the simple message we need to share. Let’s pray for each other to live up to Jesus’ calling and accomplish his plan to the end.

SLIDE Stay in the city

In the last part of the passage, Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to clothe them with power from on high, and then he ascended to heaven before their eyes. Jesus had to move on to his royal, high priestly duties next to God the father. Now the disciples were calming down a lot. Luke says they stayed in town, even visiting the temple continually, praising God and were full of joy. Knowing Jesus reigns over all and intercedes for us all the time brings joy in every situation. Let’s worship continually and praise God with his people as long as we live. And let’s pray the Holy Spirit may give us power to be his witnesses of the fact that Jesus died, rose again, helped us repent and granted us forgiveness of sins through his precious blood. SLIDE Key Verse Let’s read the key verse one more time and pray. You will be witnesses of these things.