Amy C Walters

Jesus Appears to His Disciples | Luke 24:36-53

The last three stories in the book of Luke all follow the same outline: confusion, rebuke, explanation and sharing. But this story seems to stop short of sharing. Does it break the pattern? No. It’s left unfinished so that you and I can take our place in the story and share repentance with the nations.

The last three stories in the book of Luke all follow the same outline. 

1. Confusion
2. Rebuke
3. Explanation
4. Sharing

In Luke 24:1-12, the women are confused, not knowing where Jesus’ body is. Then the angels rebuke the women by asking why they seek the living among the dead. The angels explain that Jesus had already told them what would happen. Finally, the women share all of this with the disciples.

The next story is on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. The two travelers discuss confusing current events with a person they think is a stranger. That stranger–Jesus–rebukes them for being foolish and slow to believe. Then he explains from the Scriptures what it says about the Messiah. Finally, once the travelers realize they were talking with Jesus, they hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. 

Now we come to today’s story, Luke 24:36-53. When Jesus appears, the disciples think they’ve seen a ghost (confusion). Jesus rebukes them for being scared and doubting. Then he explains what was “written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 

What about step four–sharing? Do we see the disciples sharing what they’ve learned in this story? Not exactly. So does the pattern fall apart here? No, because Jesus lays out a plan for sharing, a plan that actually is part of the fulfillment of Scripture.

It fits with step three, explaining. In verse 46 he tells them what’s written in the Bible, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in [Christ’s] name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem.” 

We’ve already seen part of this fulfilled–Jesus’ suffering and resurrection (Luke 22-24). But Jesus also includes preaching to all nations in his list of things written in Scripture that must be fulfilled. 

Jesus is not a social media influencer just wanting to grow his audience and saying, “Hey guys, do me a favor and hit like and subscribe.” No, he lists global gospel sharing as another critical part of the plan.

And what is this message that will be shared? “Repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name.” This is not a message about self-improvement or getting rich or being happy. This message declares that forgiveness is possible. That’s our deepest need; to have our sin problem dealt with. 

And it’s not dealt with by doing more good things than bad things. That method just tries to bury your sins, but the sins are still there, like garbage that’s covered over with snow. It may look okay for a while, but eventually the sun will come out.

Sin is dealt with in Jesus’ name only. He is the solution.

Notice, too, the method for bringing this relief to the world: it’s through preaching. Just as Jesus’ ministry was not primarily about social justice. In Luke 4 when Jesus is in Nazareth, and he reads from the scroll of Isaiah the job description of the Messiah. Over and over again, it says, “proclaim, proclaim, proclaim” (Luke 4:18-19). 

Now, social justice and mercy ministries may be a part of how the preaching gets done. But they are not ends in themselves. 

Also, don’t get hung up on the word “preached” here, as if it’s just something for pastors to do. The ESV uses the word “proclaimed.” According to the Discovery Bible, “proclaim” means “to announce a message publicly and with conviction.” This is something that anyone can do

do, not just preachers.

Who does the message go to? Jesus says, “all nations beginning at Jerusalem.” Jesus is sending the disciples back to Jerusalem, the place that persecuted and killed Jesus.

That could be dangerous, but that’s where it will begin. And from there, the gospel will go to all nations.

What a crazy concept for these Jewish disciples, God’s chosen people. Jesus is telling them that it’s not just the Jewish people who have access to this forgiveness. It’s not just the Jewish people for whom the Messiah has come. It’s for all nations. If you’re a gentile like me, this is really good news!

Who is going to share this message? Jesus tells the disciples, “you are witnesses to these things.” This statement comes fresh on the heels of the disciples’ doubts. They are probably still trying to take it all in, but Jesus has already got an assignment for them. He has faith in them, even when they don’t yet have faith in him. 

This would probably feel like a really overwhelming task to the disciples, and it is overwhelming. Two thousand years later and we are still working at that task. There are still nations who haven’t yet heard of repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name. 

If you want to learn more about this, check out joshuaproject.net. It tells you about unreached people groups all over the world: the 3.4 billion people who have never heard the gospel. 

So yeah, this is an overwhelming task. But the disciples are not left to figure it out and do it all on their own. Jesus says, “I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” “What the Father has promised” and “power from on high” refer to the same thing, the same one. It’s the Holy Spirit.

In John 14:26, Jesus says, “but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” So God is going to empower his people to do this work, and all they had to do was wait for it.

Now, was this an assignment just for the Eleven disciples? No, this task extends to us. Over 42% of the world’s population still needs to hear about Jesus. We must be the ones to tell them. 

Our key truth for today is that we must preach repentance to the nations. 

You are part of the plan to spread the gospel to the far corners of the globe. You have a role in fulfilling Scripture. Revelation 5:9 gives us a picture of heaven and the lyrics of a song that is sung there. It says, “and they sang a new song saying, ‘you are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you are slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” 

You must help recruit for heaven’s choir. Maybe God is calling you to share the gospel with a neighbor or coworker or classmate. Maybe he’s calling you to leave your home and take the gospel to another country that has very little access to it. Maybe he’s calling you to invest in missionaries who are going to do that work. Whatever he’s calling you to do, say yes! 

Today as you go, share this story with someone. Help proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name.