Luke 24: 35-48 Appearance of Risen Jesus to the Disciples (Gospel for April 30, 2006)

(Co authored by Aileen M. and TM)

Observation:

This passage is right after the incident of the two disciples and Jesus, along the road to Emmaus. In that incident, the two disciples did not recognize Jesus initially, and only identified him during the breaking of the bread, and when Jesus quoted Scriptures. In this gospel passage, Luke once AGAIN presents Jesus as quoting Scriptures to his disciples.

Luke describes the disciples. They were afraid, perhaps because they thought the Romans may now run after them. There was uncertainty because their leader and master, who they thought was the Messiah, is dead. They felt sad because they lost a loved one.

Interpretation

Luke was writing to an audience of Greeks, and the concept of physical resurrection was unacceptable to them. Luke was also writing during a time (around 85 AD) when Docetism was prevalent. Docetists believed that Jesus did not really have a physical body (since matter was evil); and that his appearance, as well as his crucifixion, were an illusion.

Thus, Luke presents two proofs:

- Jesus presents himself, in flesh and bones, to contradict doubts that he is a ghost. He even asks for food and eats with them

- Secondly, he quotes Scriptures. He explains how the Son of Man must suffer, die and rise from the dead, in fulfillment of Scriptures.

Jesus’ greeting of “Peace be with you” is also indicative of Scriptures. It is not a mere Jewish greeting. It is the messianic peace announced in Scriptures (see Isaiah 9:6, “He will be called Prince of Peace).

The Resurrection appearances in the Emmaus incident and in the appearance to the disciples were Luke’s way of saying:

Jesus is risen. He has a body which you can see, but it is a “resurrected, transformed body” which is not the same as his body before his death. The disciples on the way to Emmaus did not readily recognize him.

Luke message is this: Even if you haven’t seen Jesus, just like Luke’s audience and us, you can recognize him in the Scriptures.

Generalization

After Jesus’ resurrection, He made use of the scriptures for His disciples to remember Him and to remind them of His teachings. This was one way of strengthening His disciples’ faith at a time when their hearts were filled with anxieties and doubts. And these were to people who had seen him face to face.

What about us who have just “heard” about Jesus?

Jesus knew that thousands of years later it would be even easier to doubt God with all the challenges around them. Luke reminds us that we have the scripture to help us recognize Jesus’ presence and help us keep our faith. We should go to the source, to remind us how Jesus lived and how we should be living our lives now. The scripture is food for our minds and hearts.

Application

St. Jerome says, “Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Jesus Christ.”

- How much do you know Jesus?

- In times of doubt, how often have you reached for the bible, compared to how often you reached out to somene?

- How much time do I make to read God's word?

- What do I resolve to get to know Jesus more?

Reference used: Kingdom for All by Fr. Nil Guillemette.