24th December – Luke 24: “He Is Risen!”
Hey friends, Merry Christmas! Welcome to December 24th, the climax of our journey through Luke. Over 24 days we’ve walked with Jesus: His birth announced to shepherds, His teaching, miracles, parables, suffering, death, and today, the empty tomb. “He is not here, but is risen” (v. 6).
Part 1 – The Empty Tomb and Burning Hearts (vv. 1-35)
Very early, women come with spices, find the stone rolled away, the tomb empty. Two angels: “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you… that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (vv. 5-7).
They tell the eleven, who think it idle tales. But Peter runs, sees the linen clothes, wonders.
That afternoon, two disciples walk to Emmaus, sad. Jesus joins them incognito: “What manner of communications are these…?” They recount the crucifixion, dashed hopes.
He says, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (vv. 25-26). Beginning at Moses, He expounds the Scriptures concerning Himself.
At table, He breaks bread—their eyes open: “It is the Lord!” He vanishes. They rush back to Jerusalem: “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way?” (v. 32).
Part 2 – Peace, Power, and Promise (vv. 36-49)
The disciples are together when Jesus appears: “Peace be unto you.” They think it’s a spirit. He shows hands, feet, side, and eats fish and honeycomb. “These are the words which I spake unto you… Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations” (vv. 46-47).
“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” (v. 49).
Part 3 – The Ascension – Witnesses to the World (vv. 50-53)
He leads them to Bethany, blesses them, is carried up into heaven. They worship, return to Jerusalem with great joy, continually in the temple praising God.
Luke began with the Son of Man coming to seek and save the lost, for all nations. It ends with the risen Saviour commissioning witnesses to all nations, clothed with power from on high.
Our daughter Laura got it right when she heard “Mary’s Boy Child” sing, “Man will live forevermore because of Christmas Day!” She said, “No, Daddy! it’s because of Easter Day!”
She’s spot on. There’s no resurrection without the incarnation; but no everlasting life without the empty tomb.
Christmas without Easter is just a sweet story.
Easter without Christmas is impossible; God had to become man to die and rise for us.
Today, the risen Lord still meets discouraged disciples on the road, opens Scriptures, sets hearts burning, breathes peace, shows wounded hands, commissions witnesses, clothes with power, and ascends, ever living to intercede.
He lives!
But He must live in your heart.
Receive the risen Saviour today, and go tell all nations.
Merry Christmas…He is risen indeed!
Grace and peace! 🙏
