Luke 24, Pastor Gilman, Shield of Hope Bible Study
Lord we thank you for your blessings upon us, for your guidance, your mercy and your grace. We ask for your blessing on our group and each and every one who earnestly studies your word. We thank You Jesus for your sacrifice for us and for allowing us to understand you more fully..
Amen
Chapter 24 is as much about “enlightenment “” as it is about the miracle of “resurrection”...
In this chapter they are intertwined as enlightened disciples recognize Jesus, but only at the time of "His" choosing.
As we piece together facts that span the life of Christ with events recounted in Luke 24 we can more completely know the power of God and understand more completely the nature of what we seek in Bible study, “Revelation”.
Lets begin with verse 14
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. What does that mean ? It means that at that moment in time Jesus prevented these 2 disciples from recognizing him as the Christ.. As Jesus…
Why did he do this and what implications does this have for us? We don’t know why he did this .. On this score we can only speculate that he wanted to hear candidly from the 2 disciples what they were thinking and feeling. He may have wanted them to express themselves honestly without inhibition… There are direct implications for us and they will become crystal clear as we progress further..
Remember when we pondered why Judas needed to betray Jesus with a kiss when he was so well known to everyone in Judea ?
Lets begin with verse 14
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. What does that mean ? It means that at that moment in time Jesus prevented these 2 disciples from recognizing him as the Christ.. As Jesus…
Why did he do this and what implications does this have for us? We don’t know why he did this .. On this score we can only speculate that he wanted to hear candidly from the 2 disciples what they were thinking and feeling. He may have wanted them to express themselves honestly without inhibition… There are direct implications for us and they will become crystal clear as we progress further..
Remember when we pondered why Judas needed to betray Jesus with a kiss when he was so well known to everyone in Judea ?
Why was it necessary to identify him as he was a very public figure who travelled preaching the gospel, saving gentiles, raising the dead and performing all manner of miracles and healing? He was followed by thousands…!!
We have discussed previously, a newly deciphered Egyptian text, dating back almost 1,200 years, and it covers part of the crucifixion story of Jesus with legendary twists, some of which have never been seen before.
Written in the Coptic language, the ancient text speaks of Pontius Pilate, the judge who authorized Jesus' crucifixion and also explains why Judas used a kiss, specifically, to betray Jesus…
In the Bible, the apostle Judas betrays Jesus in exchange for money by using a kiss to identify him leading to Jesus' arrest. According to the Egyptian/Greek writings It is because Jesus had the ability to change shape. Outlining a discussion which took place between himself and the Jewish Chief priests who wanted to arrest Jesus.
I quote:
"Then the Jews said to Judas: How shall we arrest him (Jesus), for he does not have a single shape but his appearance changes. Sometimes he is ruddy, sometimes he is white, sometimes he is red, sometimes he is wheat coloured, sometimes he is pallid like ascetics, sometimes he is a youth, sometimes an old man ..." End quote.. This leads Judas to suggest using a kiss as a means to identify him. If Judas had given the arresters a description of Jesus he could have changed shape. By kissing Jesus, Judas tells the people exactly who he is.
When I first read this for myself my eyebrows went up.I needed some time to weigh this information for myself.. The discovery of the text doesn't mean these events happened, but rather that some people living at the time appear to have believed in them…. But lets consider this together with known scripture from Luke 24 beginning with the 2 disciples unknowingly walking and talking with Jesus. It says in verse 16… “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”
We see from Luke 24 that Jesus did appear differently but that was because he was controlling the ability of his disciples to see.. based on this it is clear that Jesus, although betrayed by Judas with the kiss, “allowed” Judas and the arresting Roman soldiers to see him as he was; allowed them to recognize him.. In doing so Jesus was bringing to a close his mission here on earth… He allowed it to happen. He allowed the recognition to take place. He had the power to alter, their perception also. This, in and of itself represents miraculous insight into knowing our Lord. He didn’t alter his appearance he controlled our perception of him… He controls what we see and we understand more as He reveals the Word to us.
We study and learn the scripture and like to think that we are doing the right thing, and we are. But this example is the fullest definition of what “revelation from God” really means .. God choses the time and the persons to make himself known. He opens our eyes as he deems us worthy of knowing him deeper; more fully…. But God can also prevent our eyes from seeing… Everything that we need to know is before us if God will remove the covering, and open our eyes…when we are truly ready…..
I will read to you verses 13 – 37….
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. ( about 12 kilometres) 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou the only stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
They ( the diciples ) reached out to a stranger in need and Jesus broke bread with them. As he blessed the bread they also received his blessing, their eyes were opened and they saw Him. They knew this was their Jesus and that instant He disappeared…
I will continue with verses 36-48…..
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”… He opens our eyes so that we may see Him and will open our understanding if we are honest in heart and willing to go forth as living examples of God’s work…
God is in control.. It doesn’t matter how rich you are. ..Jesus said blessed are the poor.. It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how educated you are.. Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites.. Then how can we persuade God to open our eyes also?
We must BELIEVE in Him….and with that belief and because of that through His grace, that we are allowed to carry the ‘Light of Christ within us which can illuminate all understanding…. In this regard We must apply these principles to our lives..Lets reflect on the following:
Matthew 22…….verse 36 – 38
“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” 37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.…
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. .
John 1:12
“ to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God,”
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, -
We have discussed previously, a newly deciphered Egyptian text, dating back almost 1,200 years, and it covers part of the crucifixion story of Jesus with legendary twists, some of which have never been seen before.
Written in the Coptic language, the ancient text speaks of Pontius Pilate, the judge who authorized Jesus' crucifixion and also explains why Judas used a kiss, specifically, to betray Jesus…
In the Bible, the apostle Judas betrays Jesus in exchange for money by using a kiss to identify him leading to Jesus' arrest. According to the Egyptian/Greek writings It is because Jesus had the ability to change shape. Outlining a discussion which took place between himself and the Jewish Chief priests who wanted to arrest Jesus.
I quote:
"Then the Jews said to Judas: How shall we arrest him (Jesus), for he does not have a single shape but his appearance changes. Sometimes he is ruddy, sometimes he is white, sometimes he is red, sometimes he is wheat coloured, sometimes he is pallid like ascetics, sometimes he is a youth, sometimes an old man ..." End quote.. This leads Judas to suggest using a kiss as a means to identify him. If Judas had given the arresters a description of Jesus he could have changed shape. By kissing Jesus, Judas tells the people exactly who he is.
When I first read this for myself my eyebrows went up.I needed some time to weigh this information for myself.. The discovery of the text doesn't mean these events happened, but rather that some people living at the time appear to have believed in them…. But lets consider this together with known scripture from Luke 24 beginning with the 2 disciples unknowingly walking and talking with Jesus. It says in verse 16… “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”
We see from Luke 24 that Jesus did appear differently but that was because he was controlling the ability of his disciples to see.. based on this it is clear that Jesus, although betrayed by Judas with the kiss, “allowed” Judas and the arresting Roman soldiers to see him as he was; allowed them to recognize him.. In doing so Jesus was bringing to a close his mission here on earth… He allowed it to happen. He allowed the recognition to take place. He had the power to alter, their perception also. This, in and of itself represents miraculous insight into knowing our Lord. He didn’t alter his appearance he controlled our perception of him… He controls what we see and we understand more as He reveals the Word to us.
We study and learn the scripture and like to think that we are doing the right thing, and we are. But this example is the fullest definition of what “revelation from God” really means .. God choses the time and the persons to make himself known. He opens our eyes as he deems us worthy of knowing him deeper; more fully…. But God can also prevent our eyes from seeing… Everything that we need to know is before us if God will remove the covering, and open our eyes…when we are truly ready…..
I will read to you verses 13 – 37….
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. ( about 12 kilometres) 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou the only stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
They ( the diciples ) reached out to a stranger in need and Jesus broke bread with them. As he blessed the bread they also received his blessing, their eyes were opened and they saw Him. They knew this was their Jesus and that instant He disappeared…
I will continue with verses 36-48…..
36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. 38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? 42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. 43 And he took it, and did eat before them. 44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
45 “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures”… He opens our eyes so that we may see Him and will open our understanding if we are honest in heart and willing to go forth as living examples of God’s work…
God is in control.. It doesn’t matter how rich you are. ..Jesus said blessed are the poor.. It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how educated you are.. Jesus called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites.. Then how can we persuade God to open our eyes also?
We must BELIEVE in Him….and with that belief and because of that through His grace, that we are allowed to carry the ‘Light of Christ within us which can illuminate all understanding…. In this regard We must apply these principles to our lives..Lets reflect on the following:
Matthew 22…….verse 36 – 38
“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” 37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.…
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Hebrews 11
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. .
John 1:12
“ to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God,”
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, -
We pray Lord that we may be counted worthy of your grace, that you will open our eyes so that we see the glory in you… Let our doubts, fears and tears fall by the wayside as we feel your strength within us. Walk us forward each day.. Protect us from evil and light our path…
We ask these things in Jesus’ name..
Amen
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