LUKE 24:21

 "but we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.  And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place." - Luke 24:21

I guess they got more than they even hoped for!  Israel?  How about all of humankind!

We take a break from commenting on the verse to ask, "What is wrong with me?"  I have diabetes, but I keep drinking pop and eating sugar.  I get angry, I mean really angry, like it affects my mood even today, about losing in fantasy football.  I feel like I've missed something in this Christian life - my priorities are all out of whack and the things I care about, the things I focus on - dumb!  I guess I need to be redeemed!

LUKE 24:20

 "The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him;" - Luke 24:20

Do You still hate thinking about it?  When Cleopas mentioned the crucifixion, it was fresh.  I'm guessing there was still pain and sadness - even as I think about it, horrible feelings come up just imaging what kind of physical pain You went through.

But now, when You think about that day, what do You think about?  The pain? The betrayal? The role it played in saving humanity? The sacrifice You made for the Father?  The people that stood by You? God's plan?

I'm trying to think of a physically painful experience that I've gone through - broken bone, knee surgery recovery.  But nothing even compares to the duration and extremity of what You went through.  And then you add in the emotional / spiritual effects - and no one can relate.  So, I was just wondering what it was like now whenever it's mentioned.

LUKE 24:19

 "What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.  "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people." - Luke 24:19

You were having a little fun, weren't You?  "What things?"  Maybe You are more like me than I realize.

Did the disciples still not get that you were the Messiah?  When it says, "two of them" in verse 13, I take that to mean that they were not part of The Twelve, but were with them.  But, when they describe You, they say You were a prophet - powerful in word and DEED!  (They are about to find out how powerful.)

So, even those that were in like the third ring of the friendship circle had no clue who You truly were.  Was it basically, You and The Twelve (or at least most of The Twelve - love calling them The Twelve by the way)?  Man, if that is true and you do the numbers, that means that in three years there were about 10 people who got it.  Then, in the next, what, say five years, it went to the hundreds of thousands?

One event!  I might stand by it - if you believe that You rose from the dead, you have to be a follower.

LUKE 24:18

 One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" - Luke 24:18

So, this was big news.  For some reason, I thought that the disciples knew about it, the religious leaders knew about it, maybe some of the Jews would have been following what was happening, but overall, I thought this would have been viewed as just another crucifixion - not any more important that the two criminals on either side.

But, Cleopas makes it sound like everyone knew and everyone was talking about it.  Which they should have, by the way - biggest event in human history!  It still makes me wonder though - as Christians, we obviously know the importance of everything that was happening, but did everyone else.  Were You big on the social medial outlets?  Was your ministry captured by CSPAN (You can tell I know nothing about news stations)?  Would the common, non-Jewish person know who You were?  

Obviously, this was a different time and news did not travel as fast, but I do wonder what the general excitement level was about things You were doing.  I guess Zaccheus had to climb up a tree to see You and when You came into Jerusalem it seemed like a pretty big crowd, so maybe the word did get out.  

I blame "A Week Away."  It has really challenged me to see things they way people different from me do.

LUKE 24:17

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. - Luke 24:17

You must have loved this! Knowing what they were talking about, but still asking the question! Seeing their faces downcast, but knowing that in a few moments there would be joy and surprise. Was this the most fun time of your life?

I guess I’m hoping it was because then You would be just like me. When I say, “You had to live this” what I’m really saying is I would love this. Maybe we do that a lot - we get this picture of who You are based on who we are. Sure, I hope You’re chuckling and cracking up on the inside while all this is going on. I would love it if this whole disguising Yourself was partly just so You could see their reactions. I really want there to have been a meeting with You and The Father where He says, “Thank You for doing that, now let’s have a little fun with this.”

I hope You’re like me, or better said, I’m like You. I hope that the way I perceive life is how You perceive it. I hope my attitude is Your attitude. I hope my reactions are Your reactions. And I also hope, I am not creating this “Tony Melton Jesus” when the real one is so much better.

LUKE 24:16

 but they were kept from recognizing Him. - Luke 24:16

Nicely played!  I am not exactly sure why You would not want to be recognized or what You even looked like, but how cool is that!  A random guy just starts walking along the disciples (weird) and then asks them what they are talking about (You already knew), and then starts explaining things to them (guys had to be freaking out at this point) and then.......BOOM!  THE REVEAL!

So, do You still do this?  Do you sometimes come down here and walk amongst us, disguising Yourself?  Are there possibly even some times that You are talking to us about You?  Not sure if You do, but I know this - I am gonna freak out if some random dude starts walking next to me on the way to work!

LUKE 24:15

 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; - Luke 24:15

So many things that are weird about this.  Would a random stranger just start walking besides you in those days?  Also, and I guess we'll get more into this tomorrow, but how did they not recognize Jesus?  What did Your after resurrection body look like?

But, I guess it does point out two things.  One, if a random stranger starts walking next to you - it might be Jesus.  Two, if you walk along side a random stranger - you might be Jesus to them.

LUKE 24:14

 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. - Luke 24:14

In these guys world, this is the biggest news ever (maybe not so much on everyone's radar), but for them this would be worthy of a seven mile talk.  I'm trying to get a feel for what this would be like for me.  When is the last time that I talked about anything for hours?  I can't think of one thing.  What could make me talk for seven walking miles?  Nope.  

To be honest, if something this big happened to me, I'd probably prefer to be alone for a while.  Maybe I would walk for seven miles, but not with "each other."  

The only things that even give me a glimpse is like when something big happens at school - like someone gets fired.  Or if something big happens in the sports world.  Then, I will talk to others and it may even last for a few days.  

But, when the Savior of the world "dies" there are a lot of topics to cover.  And I just have a feeling that these people were totally invested the whole way.

LUKE 24:13

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles^[a]from Jerusalem - Luke 24:13

Why were these guys traveling 7 miles to Emmaus? What was so important that, three days after the Savior died, they would have to take a three hour trip?

And we all know what is about to happen, but can you imagine if they would have missed everyone finding out? FOMO!

But, I guess this is the ultimate unFOMO! God will find you! These dudes were, if I remember right, there. 3 hours from where the biggest event in human history happened. He found them. He gave them an even greater experience.

So, who knows why they were doing this? But, don’t worry. Whatever comes up in life, we can do it without FOMO. God will find us!

LUKE 24:12

 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. - Luke 24:12

Let’s just get this straight. The women told them a massive stone was rolled away, some lightning dudes told them Jesus wasn’t there, they saw no body, and reminded them that Jesus said He was gonna rise……AND THEY WEREN’T EVEN GONNA CHECK???!!!

But, I guess we miss a lot of miracles too! Maybe they were too sad to go see, or wrapped up in what they were doing, or too proud, or had some bread in the oven. I’ve been there. But I’m not proud of it!

i’ve heard a lot of people praise Peter for running to the tomb, but that is an appropriate response! Live to see the miracles, and no matter what, at least go check them out and see if it’s possible.

LUKE 24:11

But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense - Luke 24:11

Didn’t they tell them the part about how Jesus said He would rise again? Also, why would they make something up like this? I mean, yes, the story does sound like nonsense.

Even today, a lot of people don’t believe that something like this could happen. Someone rising from the dead? Because if you did believe it, then you would have to believe, right?

Maybe I should ask some people today.

LUKE 24:10

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. - Luke 24:10

Why not mention who the others with them were? I think it’s cool that at a time when women weren’t respected Luke mentions multiple times these women. But, how many more were there? Couldn’t he just put them in there?

I mean, who is Joanna? And if Mary was the mother of James and Jesus wouldn’t Luke have said, “mother of Jesus”?

Does any of this even matter? Actually, probably! I’m sure Luke had a reason for writing stuff the way he did (Yes! I believe God was not controlling his hand!). Figuring out why - that’s the tough part!

LUKE 24:9

 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. - Luke 24:9

You think the Eleven were like in a room specifically designed for the Eleven or referred to themselves as "The Eleven"?  Did they have jerseys, hats?  Seriously though, is there anywhere else in Scripture that they are referred to as the Eleven. (Wow, I guess there are multiple mentions of this! But did they ever call themselves the Twelve, or was that reserved for Seahawk fans?) (OK, another Wow!  Acts calls them "The Twelve", but that was after Judas offed himself.  But, they picked someone to replace him.  OK enough of this)

How cool was that?  You know when you have big news - like yesterday when there was a big blow up at the Pickleball Courts!  You can't wait to go home and tell someone.  How much more when the Savior rises from the dead.  I'm trying to picture the look on their faces.  Did they stonewall it and then come with the huge surprise?  Were they grinning from ear to ear when they walked in?  Was there screaming and yelling?  And how did the Eleven (and the others) react?  Disbelief?  Excitement?  Skeptical?  

All I know is that I would have liked to have been in that room - even if I was only part of the Others!

LUKE 24:8

 Then they remembered his words. - Luke 24:8

Sometimes we just need someone to remind us. Yesterday I saw one of our teachers playing with the kids - I used to play with the kids. I just finished a book about a black guys experience in America - I used to care about racial injustice. I got a reminder!

So, before you go judging these ladies (like I did when I thought, “You didn’t remember His words when there was no body?”), just know that we all need reminders and we can also be the reminder!

LUKE 24:7

 "The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." - Luke 24:7

Did You really say "the hands of sinners"?  Ironic, You came to save the sinners and then they were the ones who had You crucified.  Ironic, in this case, the "sinners" were the religious and political leaders of the day (with maybe a sprinkling of the people in the crowd who were yelling, "Crucify Him!" But, even those people were probably influenced by the religious leaders.)

So, really You meant to call these guys the "sinners."  I wonder if it's still the same way today.  The people who we look up to as religious guides, could they be the sinners?  I'm sure there are some.  I'm also sure there are others who are great examples of Your love.

I guess the main point is that you can't let your role define you.  There are teachers who are sinners and teachers who are saints.  There are athletes who are sinners and athletes who are Saints (literally!).  

And, I guess really, if you think about it, we're all sinners.  Some of us had Jesus over to be crucified and some of us don't. Or do we?

LUKE 24:6

 "He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee;" - Luke 24:6

He is not here.  The women were going to pay their last respects to their Savior. They had prepared for one final send off, but He is not here.

I am trying to think about what it would be to lose the most important person in my life (not even a Savior, just like a normal human).  I would be crushed.  90% of the fun things I do would be gone.  There would be nobody to call for stupid reasons.  One of the few people remaining who are pro Tony Melton would be gone.  Needless to say, that would be a horrible time.

But, what if, a few days later, lightning boys appear and say, "He's not here; He has risen!"  Now, this is just a normal human, but, despite the obvious questions I'd have, I would be ecstatic!  My life would be changed.

I can only imagine how these women felt - this was Jesus!

LUKE 24:5

 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" - Luke 24:5

In their fright?  Does that seem like a weird emotion?  Surprise? Awe? Excitement?  But they were scared.

Scared because they had never seen lightning clothes before?  Scared because they had random angels just pop up out of nowhere?  Scared because their Savior was gone?  Scared because they thought something bad was about to happen?

And their reaction to fear is to bow in submission.  Now, I am not sure if that says something about how women were "supposed" to act in those times.  But, what if that was our reaction.  Fear = submission.  What if, whenever we were afraid, we just went to God and said, "You are in control"?  Instead of trying to analyze why, instead of trying to "man up", instead of trying to pretend it's not there - just give it over to You.

Nicely played ladies.

LUKE 24:4

 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. - Luke 24:4

"While they were wondering about this"? No duh!  These women just got up, and within five minutes they've seen the stone removed from the front of Jesus' tomb and then no Jesus.  

And then these men just appear.  I am going to guess that they weren't there the whole time - it seems like the ladies would have noticed someone in clothes gleaming like lightning.  (Side note: Is it weird that they had clothes?  I would think angels with wings, but maybe I have the wrong view of angels.  Are angels just people that have died?)

It is kind of cool that You give them a few minutes to just wonder.  You let them "take in" the hugest moment in the history of man before you send lightning boys.  And, I guess, in the same way, you let us do that too.  We get a lot of time to just wonder before things are made clear.  Enjoy the wonder!

LUKE 24:3

 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. - Luke 24:3

I kind of wish Luke would have given us more details.  What were they thinking when the stone was rolled away?  What did they say to each other?  Describe their facial expressions when they go in the tomb and the body is not there.  This might have been the two most interesting minutes in the history of the world.  And maybe the two most significant.

This clinches it!  You are who You said You are.  No other religion has a being that raised themself from the dead.  I mean, nobody else has raised anyone from the dead like You did either, but to do it yourself - that's pretty cool.

This is the big one right?  From a "try to prove You are God" perspective, this is the clincher.  Either you don't believe it happened or you follow.  How could you believe that You rose from the dead and not believe that You were God? Interesting - there really are only two options.

LUKE 24:2

 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, - Luke 24:2

I wonder why the stone had to be rolled away.  I guess if it wasn't rolled away, they wouldn't have known, but they would have had to roll the stone away to put the spices on the body.  Wait, how were they going to do that?  Women - more than 1, ok, they could do that.

Now I'm wondering if it would have been cooler if they got there and the stone was rolled away or if they moved the stone and they saw Jesus' cloths folded up on the ground and You were gone.  OK, I think it is the rolled away stone when they got there - nicely played!

I also picturing that awkward "going into a funeral" walk on the way to the tomb when no one is talking or talking only about somber stuff.  And then you see this stone moved out of the way.  You go from somber to shock to questioning if you're in the right place to questioning what is going on...

We've all been there.  Something not anticipated shows up and a well of emotions goes through us.  For me, it's usually negative.  I think of the worse case scenario.  But, with God, that is not the case.  He's the God that rolled away the stone.

LUKE 24:1

 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. - Luke 24:1

Talk about a life changing walk! They had obviously been mourning, but the fact that they get up early makes me feel like they wanted to do this as soon as possible.

Maybe this would give them closure. Maybe this would help them make some sense out of everything. Maybe this was the one last thing they could do for someone who meant so much to them.

But none of that would end up mattering. The spices, the rush to get there, even the reason; because in whatever time it took to get there life for everyone would (what’s a more dramatic word for change?).

I guess that’s how it is with You. We prepare, we make our plans, we may even have great intentions of what we are going to do for You, but thirty minutes later You have changed the world. We just never know!

LUKE 23:56

Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. - Luke 23:56

When would they put the perfume and spices on? Ooooops! I guess that was a waste of time.

So, usually you would put the spices and perfumes on before wrapping the body with linen, but because of the Sabbath they had to wrap Jesus quickly. The ladies were going to go to the tomb after the Sabbath to honor Jesus and give Him a proper burial.

I wonder what they did with those spices after they found out.

(Side note: I bet Jesus appreciated the effort!

LUKE 23:55

The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. - Luke 23:55

Luke was a good dude. He mentions women often, which back in those days would have meant a whole lot!

These women were followers! They traveled 75 miles with Jesus. And it seems like they were the only ones courageous enough (or maybe they knew no one would care) to stay with You until the end.

But, as much as I think Luke is trying to respect women and show how devoted they are, I think he’s setting up evidence for what is to come. Knowing that the women will be the first to see the empty tomb he wants to let us know - they saw You go in!

LUKE 23:54

It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. - Luke 23:54

Everyone must have hated Preparation Day. You had to cram all of the work for the next couple of days in so that you didn’t have to do any work on the Sabbath. What if you forgot something? Or what if something else popped up?

As far as Jesus goes, it is still kind of weird that they are worrying about rules made by the people who killed You. I can kind of see myself saying, “F their Sabbath.”

Also, I have gotten a little lax on my Sabbath. Is that bad? Thinking about this, I don’t think so - Sabbath was made for the man.