Witnesses of These Things

Luke 24 is the joyful end of Luke's Gospel. Women came to the tomb on the first day of the week and found it empty. Two men in shining clothes said, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He isn't here, but is risen. The women remembered His words and became the first to announce the resurrection. Peter ran to the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying by themselves.

On the road to Emmaus, two discouraged disciples met a stranger. They told Him their hopes had died with Jesus. The stranger, Jesus Himself, called them slow of heart to believe the prophets. Beginning from Moses and all the prophets, He explained the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. When He broke bread with them, their eyes were opened. They raced back to Jerusalem and heard, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!

Then Jesus stood among the disciples. He showed His hands and feet, and He ate broiled fish in front of them. He was not a spirit, but truly raised in a body. He opened their minds to see that the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms all pointed to Him. The Christ had to suffer and rise on the third day. Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed to all nations, and they were witnesses of these things. Jesus promised to send what the Father had promised. Then He was carried up into heaven, and they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, continually praising God.