Are the four gospels recorded in the Bible actual eyewitness accounts of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as they claim?  The language itself argues that they are indeed.  I invite you to examine with an open mind, clues found in the words used in the last (24^th) chapter of the Gospel of Luke, to describe the events that transpired after Jesus’ burial.  It is both illustrative of and representative of what you will find in any of the four gospels.  If you cannot or will not keep an open mind, there is probably no point in reading further. If you are stubbornly determined to refuse all honest inquiry, this simple exercise will not profit you.

Meanwhile, let the rest of us examine the text, looking closely at key words, like:

Perplexed (at the missing body v. 4).

Afraid (at the sudden appearance of angels in the tomb v. 5).

Unbelieving (Jesus’ followers “believed not” the women first on the scene, who hurried back to report an empty tomb and an encounter with angels who told them Jesus is alive—their witness “seemed to them as idle tales” [fairytales] v. 11).

Wondering (how Jesus’ disciple Peter was left as he pondered the mystery and meaning of his Master’s missing body and the graveclothes that remained behind v. 12).

Sad (Jesus’ own description of the faces of two of His followers as they headed home from Jerusalem 3 days after the crucifixion v. 17). They no longer looked to heaven, not even for an explanation.

Confused and Despairing (implied—“but we had trusted that it had been he…” v. 21).  It was all in the past tense for them.  It was over now. The cross and the grave had finished it.

Defeated and Disconsolate (implied—they had already demoted Jesus from Son of God to “a prophet mighty in deed and word before God v. 19).”  He had been “delivered [up]…condemned to death…crucified” v. 20—days ago—there would be no dramatic comeback).

Incredulous (implied—Two of Jesus’ disciples heading home from Jerusalem to Emmaus, seemingly calling it quits, encounter the risen Christ.  But they are temporarily prevented from recognizing Him.  When Jesus asks them what they are discussing and why they are so sad, they are shocked at his apparent ignorance of current events (v. 18).  To their surprise, Jesus seems just as shocked at their ignorance of their own scriptures which had predicted all of this v. 25-26).

Astonished (Although Jesus had repeatedly foretold His martyrdom and resurrection on the third day, the story told by the women earlier that morning, had “astonished” the whole band v. 22-24).

Excited (implied—“Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” v. 32) [When Jesus vanishes from their sight, the two men ‘rise up the same hour’ (v. 33) and begin the long walk back to Jerusalem, apparently leaving their meal, uneaten, on the table.]

This final chapter of Luke’s gospel mentions four of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances: to the two disciples on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus (v. 13-31), to the 11 Apostles and others assembled together (v. 33-49), to Simon Peter personally (v. 34), and to those who witnessed Jesus’ ascension back to Heaven (v. 50-53).

Concerning the sudden appearance of Jesus in the middle of the group in the evening of that momentous Resurrection Sunday, day of all days, the words chosen to describe the event are just as raw, just as stark, just as honest, and just as real as those we have highlighted so far.

Those gathered were terrified to see Him materialize among them (v. 37).

As they groped for a rational explanation—since it could not be Jesus alive again, they assumed it must be a ghost that they were seeing—they were frightened [“affrighted”] (v. 37).

But the thought (that it was “merely” an apparition of some kind), was hardly comforting.  It troubled them, instead (v. 38).

Their minds began to believe the reports coming in from two of their 5 senses—they saw Jesus with their eyes and heard Him, with their ears—but “thoughts” [doubts] arose in their hearts as to what, precisely, this meant (v. 38).

Disbelief: Jesus invites them to use their sense of touch, as well, showing them His pierced hands and feet (v. 39).  He points out that a ghost does not have flesh and bones as He has (an interesting detail observable only at close range).  But it is not enough.  No one is buying it. It is all just too fantastic to be true (“And while they yet believed not for joy and wonder[ment]…” v. 40).

Jesus offers further proof. Though He is not hungry, He asks for something to eat.  There are some leftovers from dinner.  Someone has the courage to extend to Him (with trembling hand, no doubt) a piece of broiled fish and part of a honeycomb [more rich, first-person details—the kind false witnesses leave out because they’re imagining a scene, rather than reliving one].  Jesus eats it in front of them (v. 41-43).  No ghost, no mere phantom, no disembodied spirit would do that, nor could it.  This really is Jesus, Himself…in the flesh…alive again…for always.

But His body is new, somehow.  It is like no other body.  It vanished from the house in Emmaus.  It appeared inside the room where they were meeting in Jerusalem, without bothering to open the door. It travels at the speed of thought. Only God could do this.  Jesus truly IS exactly Who He claimed to be. He reminds them of that claim.  He opens their minds to comprehend it all at last, as He had for two of their number, that afternoon (v. 45).

“And he said to 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…Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins [forgiveness] should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things.  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father [the Holy Spirit] upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (v.  44, 46-49)

Amazing words, wonderful words, begin to flow from new-found understanding (v. 45): repentance, forgiveness (v. 47), witness (v. 48); promise, power (v. 49); blessing [Jesus’ last act on earth, before His Ascension, was to bless His disciples v. 50].  They respond with worship and great joy (v. 52) and finally, praise and blessing God’s name (v. 53).

The testimony of scripture—the testimony of Jesus Christ, and about Jesus Christ, continues to reverberate around the world, and still transforms hearts, lives and eternal destinies.  It can transform yours.  I urge you today to ask God to open YOUR understanding, so that you can read the gospels and hear their unmistakable ring of truth; that you may discern in them and believe the genuine, authentic voice of God.

These are not stories, but the Spirit-filled accounts of those chosen to be eyewitnesses to the life, death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God.  “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” (II Peter 1:16)

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  (I Corinthians 15:3,4)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…”  (Romans 1:16)

Don’t be afraid.  Listen with your mind as well as your heart.  And if God’s word is reaching you now, resonating with you, obey that inner voice.  Answer His call.  Come to Him. Here’s how:

• Admit to God that you are a sinner (that you have not kept His moral law to perfection; in your thoughts, words and actions you have done what His law forbids and have failed to do what His love demands).  This is seeing yourself from God’s point of view and agreeing that He is right about you.  Be as specific as you can.
• Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.
• Sincerely repent (turn away) from your sins, asking God to forgive you and to use His power to help you resist temptation, no matter how strong the pull of sin may be, at first.
• Acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of your life.  Invite Him to move into your heart and take up residence there, so that He can change you from the inside out.
• Trust His promise to save you and give you a new spiritual birth and a new nature (thoughts, desires, priorities, hopes, dreams and character).

SOME KEY TRUTHS:

• “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
• “As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)
• “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:23)
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)
• “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12)
• “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…”  (Revelation 3:20)
• “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”  (Romans 10:13)
• “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”  (Romans 10:9)
• “Verily, verily, I say unto you; He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life; and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  (John 5:24)
• “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing, ye might have life through his name.”  (John 20:31)
• “These things I have written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”  (I John 5:13)