Bible Chapter: Luke 24

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Wow!!  This is the ultimate victory.  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead.  A group of women went to the tomb and found it empty.  His enemies didn’t steal the body, for they would have paraded it through the streets to prove Jesus was still dead.  The disciples didn’t steal the body, since they later gave their lives for preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  No one is willing to die for a hoax.  Jesus showed Himself alive with many infallible proofs.  Two of the believers were walking to Emmaus when Jesus joined the journey.  At first they didn’t recognize Him, but then their eyes were opened.   They couldn’t wait, but returned to Jerusalem immediately to tell the rest that they had seen and talked with Jesus.  While they were still talking about the news, Jesus appeared in the group and gave them definite proof of His resurrection.
    Jesus told them that it was written that the Christ would suffer and then rise form the dead.  Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name.  This is the hope of the world.  When people come to truly know Jesus as their Savior, lives change.  Whole cultures change when the true message is proclaimed.  This is the victory and hope that Jesus proclaimed.  Paul write about this in Romans when he said we must believe in our hearts and confess Jesus as our Lord.  Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
    Jesus told them to stay in the city till they received the promise of the Holy Spirit.  They would be clothed with power from on high.  After the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to the church they saw exponential growth.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The truth of the resurrection must reside in my heart.  When the struggles come and pressure wants to make me give up, the promise of the living Jesus is my hope.  Luke ends his book with Jesus returning to heaven.  The disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  They continued to praise God for all they knew and experienced.  That is what I, and all, must continue to do.  We must rejoice in the presence of God, worshiping Him, for He is worthy.  Experiencing the presence of God makes all the difference.  It is our encouragement.
    The believers were very discouraged when Jesus died.  All their hopes and dreams vanished.  Then, as they realized His resurrection, they not only restored their hopes and dreams, but went far beyond in faith and belief.  Keeping the end in sight, today we can have hope and live in God’s presence and power.
    It is also important to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We need to be clothed in God’s power.  This is the only way we will have spiritual victory.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Let me borrow two verses from John.
John 11:25-26 NKJV
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
    I can help people see the hope of the resurrection as they apply it in their lives.