November 15

Luke 24; John 20-21 (biblegateway.com)

The Risen Lord Revealed

Today, we close the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In our previous reading, Matthew and Mark announced the resurrection and recorded the mission Jesus gave His followers. Luke and John now provide additional details of that glorious morning, revealing the risen Christ’s personal appearances, His peace-giving presence, and His restoration of His disciples.

In Luke 24, the women arrive at the empty tomb at dawn and are told by angels that Jesus has risen. Jesus appears to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, opening the Scriptures and revealing Himself in the breaking of bread. Later, He appears to His disciples in Jerusalem, proving His bodily resurrection and commissioning them to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations.

In John 20, the risen Christ appears personally and tenderly, speaks Mary Magdalene’s name, and turns her grief into joy. He stands among the disciples, though the doors are locked for fear, granting them peace, purpose, and the promise of the Holy Spirit’s empowering work. Thomas, initially absent, doubts until he sees the risen Lord for himself, and his confession, “My Lord and my God,” affirms both the deity of Christ and the blessedness of faith that believes without seeing.

John 21 closes with a shoreline encounter in Galilee. Jesus directs the disciples to cast their net once more, resulting in a miraculous catch. Around a charcoal fire, He restores Peter and entrusts him with renewed pastoral care: “Feed My sheep.” John concludes his Gospel testifying that these things were written so that readers would believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they may have life in His name.

Luke 24 — The Resurrection, Appearances of the Risen Christ, and His Ascension

Luke’s Gospel continues the resurrection narrative with expanded detail. While Matthew and Mark focus on the angelic announcement and the commission in Galilee, Luke centers the events around Jerusalem, emphasizing the physical reality of Jesus’ resurrection. The same crucified Savior now lives in glorified power. Luke’s account highlights both the fulfillment of Scripture and the preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit, presenting the risen Christ as the link between His finished work and the mission soon to begin.

In this way, Luke 24 bridges the resurrection and the ascension, leading directly into the opening of Acts, where the risen and exalted Christ empowers His followers to bear witness “in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The Gospel thus transitions from the completed work of redemption to the continuing work of the church.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others, came to the tomb bringing the spices they had prepared (v. 1, 10). Luke records a broader group of women than Matthew or Mark, emphasizing their devotion and faithfulness. When they arrive, they find the stone rolled away (v. 2), but the body of Jesus is not there (v. 3).

Suddenly, two men in dazzling apparel stand beside them (v. 4). The presence of two angelic witnesses fulfills the biblical principle that truth is established by two witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15). The women bow in fear, but the angels ask, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (v. 5–6). They remind the women that Jesus had foretold these events, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinners, be crucified, and rise on the third day (v. 7). The women remember His words and return to report all these things to the apostles (v. 8–9).

The disciples initially regard the women’s testimony as an “idle tale” and do not believe them (v. 11). Yet Peter rises and runs to the tomb, stooping to look in and seeing only the linen cloths lying by themselves (v. 12). He goes away marveling at what had happened, a detail that prepares for his later restoration. Luke’s account aligns with John 20, where Peter and “the other disciple” enter the tomb, though Luke focuses solely on Peter. This moment highlights both his failure and the beginning of renewed faith; a movement from confusion to awe that will culminate in conviction.

That same day, two of Jesus’ followers are traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem (v. 13). They are discussing all that has happened when Jesus Himself draws near and walks with them, but their eyes are kept from recognizing Him (v. 14–16). Luke alone records this remarkable episode, revealing the risen Lord’s patient instruction and the opening of spiritual understanding. Jesus asks what they are discussing, and they express their disappointment, saying that they had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel (v. 17–21). They recount the events of His crucifixion and the reports of the empty tomb but remain uncertain of what it all means (v. 22–24).

Jesus responds, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken” (v. 25). He asks if it was not necessary for the Christ to suffer and then enter His glory (v. 26). Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interprets the Scriptures concerning Himself (v. 27). The risen Christ opens the Word before He opens their eyes, showing suffering precedes glory in God’s plan.

As they reach the village, they urge Him to stay with them, for it is evening. When He sits at the table, takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them, their eyes are opened, and they recognize Him. He then vanishes from their sight (v. 28–31). They exclaim, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (v. 32). They immediately return to Jerusalem and find the Eleven and others gathered, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon” (v. 33–34). The resurrection is now attested by multiple witnesses, the women, Peter, and the two from Emmaus, with each experience affirming the same truth: the crucified Christ lives.

While they are speaking, Jesus Himself stands among them and says, “Peace to you” (v. 36). Startled and frightened, they think they see a spirit (v. 37). Jesus gently corrects them, showing His hands and feet, inviting them to touch Him: “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (v. 39). To further prove the reality of His bodily resurrection, He eats a piece of broiled fish in their presence (v. 40–43). Luke alone records this detail, underscoring that the resurrection is physical and literal, not merely spiritual.

Jesus reminds them that everything written about Him in the Law, Prophets, and Psalms must be fulfilled (v. 44). He then opens their minds to understand the Scriptures (v. 45). He declares that the Christ must suffer, rise the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins must be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem (v. 46–47). Jesus declares, “You are witnesses of these things” (v. 48). He promises the Father’s gift, the Holy Spirit, and tells them to remain in the city until they are clothed with power from on high (v. 49). This verse forms the bridge to the Book of Acts, where the same author continues the story of Christ’s work through His Spirit-empowered church (Acts 1:4–8).

Jesus leads them out as far as Bethany, lifts His hands, and blesses them (v. 50). While blessing them, He is carried up into heaven (v. 51). The disciples worship Him and return to Jerusalem with great joy (v. 52). They continually remain in the temple praising God (v. 53). The fear and sorrow that marked the crucifixion are now replaced with joy, worship, and expectancy.

Luke’s Gospel thus closes not with silence or doubt but with confident praise. The risen Christ has conquered death, fulfilled Scripture, and commissioned His followers. His ascension is both the completion of His earthly ministry and the inauguration of His heavenly reign. From this point forward, His work continues through His Spirit and His witnesses.

Luke 24 emphasizes the continuity between Jesus’ earthly ministry and the mission of the church. The risen Lord opens the Scriptures, opens their eyes, and opens their understanding. He is the fulfillment of prophecy, the conqueror of death, and the source of the Spirit’s power. For believers, this chapter affirms the certainty of the resurrection, the necessity of faith grounded in Scripture, and the call to bear witness in the power of the Spirit. The Gospel of Luke ends with worship and anticipation, the same disciples who once fled in fear now rejoice in the temple, awaiting the promised Spirit.

Luke’s conclusion flows directly into Acts 1, where the story of redemption continues through the church’s witness to the ends of the earth. The risen, ascended Christ reigns as both Savior and Sovereign, and His people continue His mission until He returns.

John 20 — The Empty Tomb, Appearances of the Risen Christ, and the Blessing of Believing

The Gospel of John concludes with a distinct and deeply personal account of the resurrection and its aftermath, complementing the Synoptic Gospels. While Matthew, Mark, and Luke emphasize the public witness of the women and the group appearances, John provides intimate scenes that reveal the transforming power of the risen Christ in individual lives, including Mary Magdalene, Thomas, and Peter. Together, these chapters demonstrate that the same Jesus who was crucified is now alive, graciously strengthening faith, restoring fellowship, and commissioning His followers for service.

As the first day of the week begins, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb early while it is still dark and sees that the stone has been rolled away (v. 1). Unlike the group of women mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels, John highlights Mary’s individual devotion. Seeing the empty tomb, she runs to tell Peter and “the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved,” that the Lord’s body has been taken (v. 2). Her words reflect confusion, not yet faith, as she assumes someone has removed Him.

Peter and the other disciple run together toward the tomb (v. 3–4). The other disciple arrives first, stoops to look in, and sees the linen cloths lying there, but does not go in (v. 5). Peter arrives and goes in, seeing both the linen cloths and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself (v. 6–7). Then the other disciple enters, sees, and believes (v. 8). Though he may not yet understand from Scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead (v. 9), faith begins to awaken. Both disciples return home, marveling at what they have seen (v. 10).

Mary remains outside the tomb weeping (v. 11). As she weeps, she stoops and looks into the tomb and sees two angels in white sitting where Jesus’ body had lain (v. 12). They ask why she is weeping, and she answers that they have taken her Lord, and she does not know where (v. 13). She turns and sees Jesus standing there, but does not recognize Him (v. 14). He asks, “Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek?” Thinking He is the gardener, she asks Him to tell her where the body is (v. 15). Jesus says her name, “Mary,” and she recognizes Him and cries, “Rabboni!” (v. 16).  Her recognition comes through the personal call of the Shepherd to His sheep,

Jesus instructs her not to cling to Him, for He has not yet ascended to the Father, but to go and tell His “brothers” that He is ascending to His Father and their Father, His God and their God (v. 17). Mary becomes the first witness of the resurrection and the first messenger of the risen Lord. The grace of God reverses all expectation: the one who once wept at the tomb now proclaims life to the apostles (v. 18).

That evening, the disciples gather behind locked doors for fear of the Jews (v. 19). Suddenly, Jesus stands among them and says, “Peace be with you.” He shows them His hands and His side, confirming His bodily resurrection (v. 20). Joy replaces fear as they see the Lord.

Jesus commissions them: “As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you” (v. 21). Then He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (v. 22). This act anticipates the fuller outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, symbolizing new creation and divine empowerment for their mission. He grants them authority to proclaim forgiveness and warn of sin’s consequences according to the gospel (v. 23).

Thomas, called the Twin, is not present when Jesus appears. When told by the others that they have seen the Lord, he refuses to believe unless he sees and touches the wounds (v. 24–25). Eight days later, the disciples are inside again, and Thomas is with them. Though the doors are locked, Jesus comes, stands among them, and says, “Peace be with you” (v. 26). Turning to Thomas, He invites him to touch His wounds directly and commands, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (v. 27). Overwhelmed, Thomas responds with the fullest confession of Christ in the Gospel: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28). This confession marks the climax of John’s Gospel, affirming the deity of Christ and the personal faith of the believer. Jesus replies, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v. 29), extending the blessing to all future believers who trust His Word. Faith rests not on sight but on the sure testimony of God’s Word.

John concludes this chapter by explaining his purpose: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name” (v. 31). The resurrection stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, verifying Jesus’ identity, validating His cross, and guaranteeing eternal life for all who believe. Through the risen Christ, fear becomes peace, doubt becomes faith, and death becomes life everlasting.

John 20 presents the historical reality and personal impact of the resurrection. The empty tomb confronts doubt; Jesus’ voice awakens faith; His presence brings peace; and His commission sends His followers into the world. Thomas’s confession declares Jesus’s deity, and the final purpose statement invites every reader to believe and live. The risen Lord calls, reveals, restores, and blesses all who believe in Him.

John 21 — The Risen Christ Restores, Commissions, and Calls His Disciples to Follow

After Jesus’ appearances in Jerusalem, John records one final scene in Galilee that reveals the ongoing relationship between the risen Lord and His disciples. This chapter serves as both an epilogue to the Gospel and a bridge to the mission that will continue in Acts.

The disciples are gathered by the Sea of Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee). Simon Peter announces, “I am going fishing,” and six others join him, including Thomas, Nathanael, James, John, and two others (v. 2–3). They fish through the night and catch nothing (v. 3). Their empty nets mirror their earlier calling and prepare them for the Lord’s work apart from self-effort. As dawn breaks, Jesus stands on the shore, though they do not recognize Him (v. 4). He calls out, “Children, do you have any fish?” When they answer no, He tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They obey, and the net fills with so many that they can scarcely haul it in (v. 5–6).

The beloved disciple recognizes Him first: “It is the Lord!” (v. 7). Hearing this, Peter immediately plunges into the water and swims to shore, eager to reach Jesus. The others follow in the boat, dragging the net behind them. When they arrive, they find a charcoal fire with fish and bread prepared (v. 8–9). The setting recalls Peter’s earlier failure by another charcoal fire (John 18:18), but now the scene will become one of restoration. Jesus invites them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught,” yet it is He who has already provided the meal (v. 10–12). Jesus takes the bread and gives it to them, and likewise the fish (v. 13). This is the third time He appears to them after rising (v. 14). Jesus feeds, fellowships, and assures His disciples of His continued care.

After breakfast, Jesus turns to Peter with a gentle but penetrating question: “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” Peter affirms, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus replies, “Feed My lambs.”(v. 15). A second time, Jesus asks, and Peter answers, and Jesus says, “Shepherd My sheep” (v. 16). A third time, Jesus asks, mirroring Peter’s three denials. Peter is grieved but appeals to Jesus’ knowledge, and Jesus commands, “Feed My sheep” (v. 17). The triple question mirrors Peter’s three denials, not to shame him, but to restore him publicly. Love for Christ becomes the foundation of ministry, and service is the evidence of genuine devotion.

Jesus then foretells Peter’s future. When he was young, he dressed himself and went where he wished; when he is old, he will stretch out his hands and another will carry him where he does not wish to go (v. 18). John explains this as indicating the manner of Peter’s death, by which he would glorify God (v. 19). Jesus says to him, “Follow Me.” Jesus’ command renews both Peter’s calling and his courage. Peter, once fearful, will one day follow his Lord to the cross.

Turning, Peter sees the beloved disciple following them and asks, “Lord, what about this man?” (v. 21). Jesus answers, “If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (v. 22). The remark sparks a rumor that this disciple would not die, but Jesus did not say that; He only addressed His will and Peter’s responsibility (v. 23). Discipleship centers on personal obedience, not comparison, and the Lord calls each disciple to obedience without distraction.

John concludes by affirming the truth of his testimony: “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true” (v. 24). He closes his Gospel with a final reflection: “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (v. 25), a fitting conclusion to the revelation of the incarnate Word (John 1:1–18).

John 21 reveals the tenderness of the risen Christ and the grace that restores fallen servants. The same Lord who conquered death also redeems failure, renews calling, and provides strength for future service. Peter’s restoration models repentance and perseverance; love for Christ leads to faithfulness in caring for His people. This closing chapter completes the Gospel’s message: the Word who became flesh and gave His life for the world now reigns as the risen Shepherd, calling His followers to continue His mission until He returns.

Conclusion

Luke 24 and John 20–21 reveal the living Savior who meets His followers in their confusion, fear, sorrow, and doubt, turning each into joy, faith, peace, and mission. The resurrection is not only a historical fact but a transforming reality. Jesus opens hearts to His Word, restores broken believers, and empowers His people to proclaim the gospel.

For believers today, these chapters remind us that the risen Christ still draws near, still speaks peace, and still calls us to follow Him. He is alive, He reigns, and He walks with His people. The Savior who conquered death now sends us into the world with good news. Because He lives, we can live in faith, obedience, and hope—until the day we see Him face to face.