We know the main theme of the resurrection story. Today let’s listen and observe for the other “sub lessons”
For instance, the two angels are completing one of the roles of the Holy Spirit, causing the women to remember what Jesus had said, and how it applies to this situation. Without those two angels, the ladies could have come to the wrong conclusions, and would have left in despair. Instead, they leave rejoicing.
Peter and John heard the testimony, and it “sounded like nonsense” (NLT) to them. Then they went and investigated for themselves, and found exactly what the women said they would find. So they went home doubting and wondering. And in those two sentences you have a picture of what happens when the Gospel is shared with an unbelieving heart. The absolute bottom line is that the disciples couldn’t conceive the fact that Jesus had risen from the dead… even after they had testimony concerning it. On a separate note: does these sound like the actions of men who have stolen the body and hidden it somewhere? If they had, there would be a more elaborate story. The fact that they share this account in which they appear foolish and slow to learn is further proof that it really happened.
Before I am too hard on Peter and John, I should consider Cleopas and his friend. Both disciples, they have the same mindset as Peter and John, they can’t understand what happened. This part of the text says that Jesus showed up and walked with them, yet they didn’t recognize Him. I wonder if Jesus still does that….?
In verse 28 the two disciples beg Jesus (unknown to them at the time) to stay with them. Their argument is that “it’s getting late”. Yet shortly after dinner, once they realize they were in the presence of Jesus they are on the road back home. They must have traveled until midnight. When they arrived they went right to the disciples house, I’ll bet.
I would have liked to compared the conversation between the walk down and the walk back! Actually, there appear to be four stages in the conversation: Discouragement, Enlightenment, Celebration, Testimony. Hey, there might be a sermon in there. “God takes your discouragement, and turns it into a testimony”. Hmmmm.
After appearing to and encouraging the whole group, Jesus instructs them to share the same message that we share today “there is forgiveness of sin for all who repent”. And then He promises the Holy Spirit will come and fill them with power.
So, our role then is to accept the message, and live in the life transforming power of God, while we share the message of forgiveness and power with anyone who will listen.
Thinking back to the beginning of this chapter, it’s interesting to me that the disciples spent their time in the temple praising God after they had been with Jesus. Before this, they were locked away from everyone. That is another theme that jumps out of this passage. Once a person has spent time with the Resurrected Christ, their behavior was changed. They were transformed. They couldn’t go back to the way things used to be…because they now realized that things were NEVER what they thought in the first place. Once you encounter Jesus alive and filled with the power and glory of the resurrection, you cannot remain unchanged. You will either become worse, or better. The choice is up to you.
Choosing to become better,
PR