SCRIPTURE BY Deborah Hillman
Scripture Lesson Text: Luke 24: 36-53 Related Scriptures: Acts 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 1 John 1: 1-4 This week’s lesson reminds us of the proof of Jesus’ resurrection to the disciples. They were not sure that the figure before them was Jesus, so He showed them the wounds in the hands and feet. Furthermore, a ghost( spirits) would have no need of food so Jesus did eat fish and honey in front of the disciples, proving He was the risen Jesus Christ. >> >> Acts 1:1-4 shows us that the last work of Jesus before His ascension to heaven. Jesus gave final instructions to the disciples, not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Promise of the Father). In 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8, Paul provides thorough teaching about the resurrection to a group of Corinthian Christians. Paul calls forth these witnesses to the resurrected Jesus, seen by Cephas, then the twelve, over 500 brethren,after that James, then the apostles and lastly Paul. 1 John 1: 1-4 tells us because of His death, burial, and resurrection that we can have fellowship with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.SYNOPSIS BY Janice Hall
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central truth of the Christian faith, without the resurrection there is no such thing as the Christian faith. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14) In today’s lesson, it is the evening of the resurrection, and Jesus suddenly appeared to His followers who were assembled behind closed doors for fear of the Jews. (John 20:19) The disciples are startled and frightened thinking they were seeing a ghost of Jesus. Then, Jesus showed them His pierced hands and feet and ate food and the disciples were convinced Jesus was alive and standing in their presence. Once the disciples were assured of Jesus’ identity, Jesus teaches them about God’s plan of salvation and their part in seeing it go forward. The Scriptures both foretell (vss.44-46) and offer the plan of salvation. (vss. 46-47) Not only foretelling the death and resurrection of Jesus, but through Him all who repent will receive the forgiveness of sins. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The disciples are eyewitness to the death, burial and resurrection. (vs 48) This is the message they will proclaim. After giving His disciples the Great Commission, Jesus promises them power from on High. (vs. 49) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in Judea and in Samaria, and in the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples returned to Jerusalem filled with jubilant praise and are continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Scripture speaks well of the transformation of these men who boldly proclaimed the gospel in the Name of Jesus.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY Janice Hall
“The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”(Psalm 145:13b NIV) The lesson today challenges the readers to have continued faith in God, to trust God for all His promises because they will be fulfilled. In Luke 24:36-53, gives us glimpses of the promise of resurrection, peace, understanding, and a confidence of a promise renewed. Jehovah is the name of God as the covenant keeping LORD, dependable, whose character is consistent and His word never fails. We have the promise of the resurrection, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and Christ’s return. When we look at the promises of Jesus, we see He offers us his abiding presence, eternal life, peace, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, answered prayers, truth, joy, love, spiritual rewards, and a heavenly home. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness…” (2 Peter 3:9) Obeying and believing God are the keys to unlocking His promises. God is trustworthy, and His character and power causes us to be confident in the promise He gives us. God’s promises enable us to rise above present situations, because He encourages our hope when we pray. “…so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) God’s promises will always bear fruit in one’s life all for His glory!!!
