GREAT JOY
Suggested Reading: Luke 24
(click scripture link to read online)
This is the entrance of the Garden Tomb, where the body of Jesus is believed to have been laid. 2,000 years ago, this large trough was carved from the rock so that a huge stone could be rolled in front of the doorway.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.
Key Verse: Luke 24:52
And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
There are many, many proofs of the truth of the resurrection. Those who believed numbered in the thousands in Jerusalem. 3,000 people believed on Him on the Day of Pentecost (most of these were pilgrims from Galilee and elsewhere) and some 5,000 saw the lame man healed and responded to Peter’s message in the courtyard of the Temple (Acts 3:1-26 and 4:1-4). These counts referred to the men, then add in their families, and you have a huge number of witnesses! Later, in Acts 6:7, we read that “the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” It has been estimated that when the authorities began to persecute the followers of Jesus, at least half the population of Jerusalem were believers in Him. If thousands of people were lying, the authorities would have been all over them. But there is no record of a contradiction in the minutes of the Sanhedrin, known as the Mishna. No one could ever tell me that Jesus simply swooned and escaped the city or was substituted by someone else, as Muslims believe, or that His body was removed from the tomb as a cover up as the Jewish authorities claimed. These “great joy” people were Jews who worshiped Jesus as God! This all happened within a few months of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. If we aren’t rejoicing too, let us check our pulses to see if we’re still alive!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I pray that today and every day I’ll be a “great rejoicing person.” This kind of joy in believing will result in believers being multiplied in my community and in my Church. I love You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The most marked up, finger-printed page in my Bible is page 1256, Hebrews 12:1-3. If I ever become weary or discouraged, here’s where I go. I could just ask you to look it up, but it’s so important to me that I’ll type verses 2 & 3. “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him Who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest You become weary or discouraged in your souls.” Once again, as I type this blog, I am considering Him. I cannot help myself. I’m filled with “great rejoicing.”
Yours for every weary and discouraged person,
David
In Luke 24:50-51 it states that Jesus led them out as far as Bethany before being raised up to heaven. I found this a rather odd statement for Luke to make mention. Anyone have any insight as to the significance of Jesus of this statement? Why did He have to lead them out? Why Bethany? Just curious more than anything. Thanks.
I was thinking Bethany was the place where Lazarus was raised from the dead so Jesus led them there as a reminder of two things, which were He was the Messiah, and that death will no longer hold us captive. It was a Jewish belief at the time only the Messiah could raise a person back to life after four days, which is why Lazarus coming back was such a polarizing event. It wasn’t because Lazarus rose from the dead, which would have been awesome, but he did so on the fourth day and that is why Jesus waited so long to get there. My point Bethany with what happened there would have symbolic meaning for the disciplines and I think that is why Jesus led them there.
wow eh David….
With Praise & Thanksgiving we come into your court..Holy, Holy, Holy is your Name…
Thank you Jesus……….
Let us finish the Race well as we are just passing through ….Heading Home
(1 Peter 2.11 )
Blessings David on your Thursday……..the Strength of the Lord be in You ..
My impression of the two traveling that same day to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, is that their account is given (among countless unwritten events) as by “impartial witnesses,” to the events which took place. They were in deep shock and sadness, such that their eyes were restrained. Kind of like a 911 event, in that they knew deep down how their world would never be the same. They witnessed the glorious presence of Christ and the breaking bread, his life sacrificially given for them. As impartial witness, having only heard about these events, they shared and told others about their life changing experience of Christ’s resurrection and presence.
@ Scott
You ask a curious question. I wonder if the operative words were “out” and “as far” as Bethany. It was the chosen location for Christ to assend. As you know, for various reasons, Christ often told others not to tell anyone, when miracles happened. There may have been negative implications with the population outside this, possibly quiet, location. (?)
Hi David, It is wonderful to be sitting together in this great Bible Study. My thoughts for Scott are that Jesus may have given his beloved disciples this marvelous experience of actually seeing him ascend up into Heaven on the cloud in Bethany because it was a quiet private place. He rewarded them and because of his great love for them gave them something miraculous to help them hold on as the work before them was so important to mankind.That may be just a small part of many other reasons.
Love your Bible Study and look forward each morning to read what you’ve posted and your comments. Also love Reynold’s photos very much which bring the bible alive. Praise God for your faithfulness David and my prayers are with you regarding your health challenges.
Dear David: all I can say is Amen and Amen
When my girls were small, we would often practice the presence of Christ by setting a place for Him at our table. For the first time (I think) in rereading this passage, I am impressed that we must all ask Him into our house as the two travellers did, but it is He who heads the table – and breaks the bread. Thanks for providing these opportunities for the Holy Spirit to reveal these new ideas into our hearts. God Bless: Ellen