Luke 24 reminds me of the two most powerful forces in the world. Love and hate can both motivate incredible action. Both can even unify groups, but only one seeks the destruction of an enemy. Some of the most miserably unhappy people I know are motivated by hate and do not even know it. Today’s chapter looks at the changes caused by the resurrection. We begin, “On the first day of the week”. The Christian church began to meet on Sunday as a result. “The women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away”. Contrary to some shrill voices today, the Christian church elevated the status of women to equal recipients of God’s grace. “When they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus”. They were the first witnesses and the first to spread the word of Christ’s resurrection. Two angels stood nearby, questioning, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” The women were then reminded, “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again”. These women took action, “they told all these things to the Eleven”. In humorous contrast, Peter ran to the empty tomb, saw all the evidence, “and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened”. Ole Pete was still missing something.
Over the next 40 days Jesus appeared to many, yet most did not initially recognize Him. I believe all of the marks from the beating and torture remained. It has been said that the only man-made thing in heaven will be the scars on the Savior. We read of two disciples walking away from Jerusalem and gain insight into the mindset of His followers. Their leader had been arrested and killed and they all feared they would be next. Jesus walked with them and asked what they were discussing. They answered, “The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him… we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel”. Jesus then taught the most amazing Bible study of all time, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself”. He spoke of our rebellious heart and history of corruption. He taught about finding peace with God and a new hope for all mankind. When He gave thanks, broke the bread and gave it to them “they recognized Him”. What happened? Their hearts burned with love for others. In the spirit of self-sacrifice, they ran back to Jerusalem and “assembled together” with other believers to give hope to the hopeless.
The chapter and book close with the unity found in worshiping God. Jesus stood among the disciples saying, “Peace be with you”. Seeing the doubts and fear, He asked, “Why are you troubled?” Showing He had risen in the flesh, He added, “Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see”. He taught them and encouraged them to read for themselves, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms”. He did not appeal to emotion, but understanding, “He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures”. He directed them to represent “repentance for the forgiveness of sins… in His name to all nations”. He motivated them to be “witnesses of these things”. He promised they would be “clothed with power from on high”. The resurrection changed everything. “Then they worshiped Him… with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God”. This group of former failures and reprobates now had the unity of joy and the wisdom of God’s Word. Hate seeks self-satisfaction, curses standards and denies God’s authority. Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Friend, what motivates you?