‏ Luke 24

* The resurrection of Christ. (1-12) He appears to two disciples

on the way to Emmaus. (13-27) And makes himself known to them.

(28-35) Christ appears to the other disciples. (36-49) His

ascension. (50-53)

1-12 See the affection and respect the women showed to Christ,

after he was dead and buried. Observe their surprise when they

found the stone rolled away, and the grave empty. Christians

often perplex themselves about that with which they should

comfort and encourage themselves. They look rather to find their

Master in his grave-clothes, than angels in their shining

garments. The angels assure them that he is risen from the dead;

is risen by his own power. These angels from heaven bring not

any new gospel, but remind the women of Christ's words, and

teach them how to apply them. We may wonder that these

disciples, who believed Jesus to be the Son of God and the true

Messiah, who had been so often told that he must die, and rise

again, and then enter into his glory, who had seen him more than

once raise the dead, yet should be so backward to believe his

raising himself. But all our mistakes in religion spring from

ignorance or forgetfulness of the words Christ has spoken. Peter

now ran to the sepulchre, who so lately ran from his Master. He

was amazed. There are many things puzzling and perplexing to us,

which would be plain and profitable, if we rightly understood

the words of Christ. 13-27 This appearance of Jesus to the two disciples going to

Emmaus, happened the same day that he rose from the dead. It

well becomes the disciples of Christ to talk together of his

death and resurrection; thus they may improve one another's

knowledge, refresh one another's memory, and stir up each

other's devout affections. And where but two together are well

employed in work of that kind, he will come to them, and make a

third. Those who seek Christ, shall find him: he will manifest

himself to those that inquire after him; and give knowledge to

those who use the helps for knowledge which they have. No matter

how it was, but so it was, they did not know him; he so ordering

it, that they might the more freely discourse with him. Christ's

disciples are often sad and sorrowful, even when they have

reason to rejoice; but through the weakness of their faith, they

cannot take the comfort offered to them. Though Christ is

entered into his state of exaltation, yet he notices the sorrows

of his disciples, and is afflicted in their afflictions. Those

are strangers in Jerusalem, that know not of the death and

sufferings of Jesus. Those who have the knowledge of Christ

crucified, should seek to spread that knowledge. Our Lord Jesus

reproved them for the weakness of their faith in the Scriptures

of the Old Testament. Did we know more of the Divine counsels as

far as they are made known in the Scriptures, we should not be

subject to the perplexities we often entangle ourselves in. He

shows them that the sufferings of Christ were really the

appointed way to his glory; but the cross of Christ was that to

which they could not reconcile themselves. Beginning at Moses,

the first inspired writer of the Old Testament, Jesus expounded

to them the things concerning himself. There are many passages

throughout all the Scriptures concerning Christ, which it is of

great advantage to put together. We cannot go far in any part,

but we meet with something that has reference to Christ, some

prophecy, some promise, some prayer, some type or other. A

golden thread of gospel grace runs through the whole web of the

Old Testament. Christ is the best expositor of Scripture; and

even after his resurrection, he led people to know the mystery

concerning himself, not by advancing new notions, but by showing

how the Scripture was fulfilled, and turning them to the earnest

study of it. 28-35 If we would have Christ dwell with us, we must be earnest

with him. Those that have experienced the pleasure and profit of

communion with him, cannot but desire more of his company. He

took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. This he

did with his usual authority and affection, with the same

manner, perhaps with the same words. He here teaches us to crave

a blessing on every meal. See how Christ by his Spirit and grace

makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the

Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance

of the Lord's supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But

the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind;

yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but

when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. They had found

the preaching powerful, even when they knew not the preacher.

Those Scriptures which speak of Christ, will warm the hearts of

his true disciples. That is likely to do most good, which

affects us with the love of Jesus in dying for us. It is the

duty of those to whom he has shown himself, to let others know

what he has done for their souls. It is of great use for the

disciples of Christ to compare their experiences, and tell them

to each other. 36-49 Jesus appeared in a miraculous manner, assuring the

disciples of his peace, though they had so lately forsaken him,

and promising spiritual peace with every blessing. Many

troublesome thoughts which disquiet our minds, rise from

mistakes concerning Christ. All the troublesome thoughts which

rise in our hearts at any time, are known to the Lord Jesus, and

are displeasing to him. He spake with them on their unreasonable

unbelief. Nothing had passed but what was foretold by the

prophets, and necessary for the salvation of sinners. And now

all men should be taught the nature and necessity of repentance,

in order to the forgiveness of their sins. And these blessings

were to be sought for, by faith in the name of Jesus. Christ by

his Spirit works on the minds of men. Even good men need to have

their understandings opened. But that we may have right thoughts

of Christ, there needs no more than to be made to understand the

Scriptures. 50-53 Christ ascended from Bethany, near the Mount of Olives.

There was the garden in which his sufferings began; there he was

in his agony. Those that would go to heaven, must ascend thither

from the house of sufferings and sorrows. The disciples did not

see him rise out of the grave; his resurrection could be proved

by their seeing him alive afterwards: but they saw him ascend

into heaven; they could not otherwise have a proof of his

ascension. He lifted up his hands, and blessed them. He did not

go away in displeasure, but in love, he left a blessing behind

him. As he arose, so he ascended, by his own power. They

worshipped him. This fresh display of Christ's glory drew from

them fresh acknowledgments. They returned to Jerusalem with

great joy. The glory of Christ is the joy of all true believers,

even while they are here in this world. While waiting for God's

promises, we must go forth to meet them with our praises. And

nothing better prepares the mind for receiving the Holy Ghost.

Fears are silenced, sorrows sweetened and allayed, and hopes

kept up. And this is the ground of a Christian's boldness at the

throne of grace; yea, the Father's throne is the throne of grace

to us, because it is also the throne of our Mediator, Jesus

Christ. Let us rely on his promises, and plead them. Let us

attend his ordinances, praise and bless God for his mercies, set

our affections on things above, and expect the Redeemer's return

to complete our happiness. Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, come

quickly.