A Thrilling Finish
Please Note: the full transcript is available in the Manuscript link above.
Luke 2:8-14 - In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Luke 24:36 - While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
Luke 24:41 - While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
I. You Can Have Peace and Joy Because of the Evidence of the Resurrection
A. The disciples' condition
1. startled
2. frightened
3. troubled
4. doubting
Luke 24:33- 35 - And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:37 - But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
B. The Savior's evidence
1. In other passages
a) Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18)
b) to the women on the road (Matthew 28:9,10)
c) to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 23:13-32)
d) to Peter (Luke 24:34)
e) to 10 of the 11 disciples, Thomas being absent (Luke 24:36-43; Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25);
f) to the 11 disciples (with Thomas present) 8 days later (John 20:26-31)
g) to 7 disciples by the shore of the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25)
h) to more than 500 disciples, probably on a mountain in Galilee (1 Corinthians 15:6)
i) to James (1 Corinthian 15:7)
j) to the apostles when He ascended into heaven (Acts 1:3-11)
k) after His ascension, He appeared to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8)
2. On this occasion
a. He allowed them to touch Him
Luke 24:38- 39 - And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
Luke 24:41 - While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
b. He ate a piece of fish
C. The reasons this part of the finish matters
Hebrews 2:17 - Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 - For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
II. You Can Have Peace and Joy Because of the Foundation of the Resurrection
Luke 24:6-8 - …Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words…
Luke 24:25-27 - And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
Luke 24:44 - Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Leon Morris – “The solemn division of Scripture into the law of Moses and of the prophets and the Psalms (the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible) indicates that there is no part of Scripture that does not bear its witness to Christ.”
A. The law
Hebrews 9:22 - And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
1 Peter 1:18-19 - knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:17 - and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
B. The prophets
Isaiah 53:5 - But He was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
1 Peter 2:24 - and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His stripes you were healed.
C. The Psalms
Psalm 16:8-11 - I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
2 Peter 1:16-21 - For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
III. You Can Have Peace and Joy Because of the Power of the Resurrection
Luke 24:47 – proclaimed
Luke 24:48 – witnesses
A. Because it leads to a hopeful message
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
B. Because it leads to a life changing message
1. Repentance
Luke 24:47 - and that repentance…
2. Forgiveness of sins
Luke 24:47 - and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed
C. Because it leads to a universal message
Luke 24:47-48 - and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
