Hope of the World
Luke 24:36-49
 

36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 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.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,[a] 43 and he took it and ate before them.

44 Then he said to 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 and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and[b] forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

1. Jesus made five resurrection appearances on that first Easter Sunday, including this one. Yet they were slow to believe (Luke 24:38). Why do you think they were slow to believe? Why are people today slow to believe?
2. What are some things that are striking about the appearing of Jesus in Luke 24:36-43?
3. Do you believe that you will have a physical resurrection body, like Jesus? See Philippians 3:20-21. What will that be like? How might this give us hope?
4. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples that everything would be “fulfilled” that was written about him in the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the prophets.  Why is this significant? Can you think of some examples from the Old Testament of things that were fulfilled?
5. Author R. T. France says that the life of Christ is like the Rosetta Stone, because it helps us understand the Old Testament. Why is Christ the key to reading the Old Testament? How might this affect how you would read the Old Testament?
6. “Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45) Can you remember a time in your life when the Scriptures began to “make sense” to you?
7. Luke 24:46-47 gives us Luke’s version of what is known as “the Great Commission.” Jesus commissions his disciples to preach the gospel to all the nations. As you read these two verses, what things stand out to you?
8. The preaching of the gospel includes the preaching of “repentance.” Do you think that a person can become a Christian without repentance?
9. Apparently, from Luke 24:46-48, the resurrection of Christ is not the end of the story. It’s just the beginning. What happens next?
10. Do you have a personal takeaway from this passage?