The resurrection of Jesus according to Luke

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE

According to Luke, on the first day of the week, at dawn, Mary Magdalene, Joana and Mary the mother of James went to the tomb of Jesus. They took along with them the spices they had prepared to embalm his body.

When they got there, they realized that the tomb was empty and they stood there confused. While in their confused state, two men stood by them in shining dresses. The women were frightened and bowed down their faces. 

The men asked why they were looking for the living among the dead. The men recalled how Jesus had told them while in Galilee that he would be crucified and shall resurrect on the third.

The women remembered the words of Jesus. They left and informed the eleven disciples what they had experienced but they did not believe them.

Peter run to the tomb and he saw the linen clothes with which Jesus was wrapped, he left, wondering what it was that had occurred. 

According to Luke, on that same day, there were two men, Cleopas, and his friend, who were traveling to Emmaus, some seven miles from Jerusalem. The two men were discussing the things that had happened in Jerusalem in the few days that had just passed.

While they were walking, Jesus drew near and walked with them but they did not recognize him. Then Jesus asked them what it was they were discussing. Cleopas asked him whether he was the only stranger in Jerusalem.

Jesus pretended he was not aware. They briefed him about the trial, the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus, expressing the opinion that they all expected Jesus to have been the redeemer.

Jesus condemned them for being slow in understanding what the Prophets had prophesied concerning Jesus, that he must suffer before entering his glory. Jesus now lectured the two men concerning all the things that had been written about him from the time of Moses.

On reaching Emmaus, Jesus walked on, as if he was continuing his journey. Cleopas and his friend persuaded him to spend the night with them because it was late.

When they sat down at a table to eat later that night, Jesus took the bread, blessed, broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. At that same moment, Jesus vanished.

That same night, Cleopas and his friend went back to Jerusalem. The eleven disciples were there together with others. The two men from Emmaus were informed that Jesus had resurrected and had appeared to Simon. The two men from Emmaus also narrated their experience of how Jesus appeared to them when he broke bread.

THREE LESSONS THAT CAN BE DERIVED FROM THE STORY

1. With the resurrection, the Christian faith was established.

2. Christ rose from the dead so Christians will also rise.

3. Sunday is the first day of the week.

SIGNIFICANCE OF LUKE’S ACCOUNT

1. One of the significant things about this account is that women played a prominent role in the story. This shows that Luke was interested in the role of women in the gospel accounts.

2. Another significance of Luke's resurrection story is that he emphasized the importance of Jerusalem as the centre of Jesus’ mission. This is evidenced by the way he set the story in Jerusalem.

3. The food that Jesus shared with the two men of Emmaus can be seen as another last supper that took place, this time, after the resurrection.   

ALSO READ:
The resurrection of Jesus according to Matthew
The resurrection of Jesus according to Mark

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. a. Give an account of the resurrection of Jesus, according to St. Luke.

    b. What three lessons can be derived from the story?    

OBJECTIVE QUESTION ON THE RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF JESUS

Test One

1.         Why do you seek the living among the dead? This statement was made by the

a.         Angel of the Lord

b.         Apostles of Jesus Christ

c.         Guards at the tomb

d.         Women who went to the tomb

2.         Who among the disciples did Jesus appear to on his way to Emmaus?

a.         Peter

b.         Barnabas

c.         Cleopas

d.         Simon of Cyrene

3.         “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there these days? This question was asked on the way to

a.         Galilee

b.         Mount Olivet

c.         Emmaus

d.         Bethany

4.         Cleopas and his friends recognized the resurrected Christ by the

a.         Way He broke the bread

b.         Way He spoke to them

c.         References Jesus made to the kingdom of God

d.         References Jesus made to the Old Testament

5.         Which of the following groups, according to Mathew, bribed the guards to tell lies about the resurrection of Jesus?

a.         Sadducees

b.         Sanhedrin.

c.         Scribes

d.         Chief Priest

6.         “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Jesus said these words after

a.         The resurrection

b.         Calling the twelve apostles.

c.         Healing the Gerasene demoniac.

d.         Sending the seventy disciples.

7.         According to Luke, the resurrection appearance lasted for

a.         20 days

b.         30 days

c.         40 days

d.         50 days 

8.         The greatest proof of the resurrection story of Jesus was the

a.         Report of the guard of the tomb.

b.         Empty tomb

c.         Message of the woman

d.         Revelation by the angels.

9.         The disciples of Jesus believed that he rose from death because

a.         The sepulcher was empty

b.         He appeared to them

c.         The women told them

d.         There was an earthquake

10.       According to Luke, the risen Christ first appeared to

a.         Andrew and John

b.         Peter and James

c.         Paul and Barnabas

d.         The two men on the way to Emmaus

11.       When the guards reported the incident of the empty tomb, the Jewish authorities asked them to say that

a.         Jesus disciples had stolen the body

b.         The claim of the resurrection was false

c.         Jesus had truly risen and gone to Galilee

d.         Nobody should believe the disciples

12.       “Oh foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” Was said by Jesus to the

a.         Disciples after He had stilled the storm

b.         The two men traveling to Emmaus

c.         The High Priest and counseling members during his trial

d.         The disciples when He met them in Galilee after the resurrection.

Answers to the objective questions above>> 
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