Slices
Prepare
Take time to look back over the readings from Luke over the past few days. What has struck you the most and what is God highlighting to you at this time?
Bible passage
Jesus appears to the disciples
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything here to eat?’ 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, ‘This is what is written: the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
The ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Explore
We all love it when a story ends well! Whether it’s the princess finding her prince, the underdog becoming the hero or the mystery being solved. Not only does Luke’s Gospel finish with a happy ending, it also closes in a way which mirrors its opening. At the beginning of the book angels announced that with the birth of Jesus comes the promise of peace and joy to all (Luke 2:10–14). Now, as we reach the end of the Gospel, we read the same two words. After a traumatic few days, Jesus extends ‘peace’ to the ‘startled and frightened’ disciples (vs 36,37) before they return to Jerusalem, not in grief but ‘with great joy’ (v 52).
By his death Jesus has brought peace to us all. We can now be at peace with God the Father who accepts the sacrificial death of his Son in our place. And there can be no better thing than being at peace with our Creator God! It is, therefore, entirely appropriate for peace to be accompanied by joy.
Peace and joy bookend today’s passage as well as the whole of Luke’s Gospel, but they are also meant to be the defining characteristics of those who follow Jesus.
Respond
Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with peace and joy today as you seek to be a disciple of Jesus.
Deeper Bible study
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations’.1
Finally, Jesus appeared to the disciples to dispel their doubts about his resurrection. This is the final post-resurrection account in the Gospel of Luke. The earlier ones were the women who went to the tomb (vs 1–10) and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who were downcast (vs 13–35). In these earlier accounts, we saw how the women and the two disciples were reminded about the divine plan that the Messiah must suffer, be crucified and on the third day rise again (vs 6,7,26,27). It was after this that they were convinced of the resurrection. We see this happening again in today’s reading, when Jesus appeared to the disciples. Before his ascension, Jesus reminded the disciples of the same divine plan (vs 46,47). However, what is different in this appearance of Jesus to the disciples is the commission given to them to be his witnesses and to proclaim the good news. They were also promised that the Holy Spirit would empower them for the task ahead.
This commission to the disciples remains the same for us today. The church since Pentecost continues to grow globally, even in the most remote and restricted corners of the world. Yet, the task remains unfinished. May we continue to be faithful witnesses of Christ. May we proclaim the good news truthfully to open the eyes of those who are blinded, that they and we might see the light of the gospel as we wait expectantly for the coming of Jesus.
Truly, Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again! This is the gospel we are to proclaim.
Grant us strength and boldness to go and make disciples of all nations, Lord, and proclaim Jesus as Saviour of the world so that people will come to know him.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Judges 3,4; Mark 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for the youth workers that Janine trained. Ask God to help them share the good news boldly and in language that young people without church backgrounds will truly understand, and journey with them towards faith. (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
