Morning Bible Study: Luke 24:36-49

The Reality of the Risen Jesus

36 As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 

37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost. 

38 “Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 

39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 

40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 

41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 

42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 

43 and he took it and ate in their presence.

44 He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 

46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 

47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

48 You are witnesses of these things. 

49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him, and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and are displeasing to him. 

He spake with them on their unreasonable unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance, in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. 

Christ by his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the Scriptures." 

Morning Bible Study: Luke 24:28-35

28 They came near the village where they were going, and he [Jesus] gave the impression that he was going farther. 

29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 

31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 

32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 

33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together,

34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 

35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He took bread, and blessed it, and broke, and gave to them. This he did with his usual authority and affection, with the same manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave a blessing on every meal. 

See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. 

They had found the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher. Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them to each other."