Luke’s account of the resurrection starts out closely parallel to Mark and Matthew, with the women going to the grave to anoint the body of Jesus on Sunday morning and finding the tomb empty and hearing the angelic announcement of the resurrection (Luke 24:1-12). Luke then includes quite a bit of material that the other gospels lack. The most obvious example is the famous “walk to Emmaus” passage (24:13-35). Most of us are fairly familiar with the “at the tomb” and “walk to Emmaus” texts.

What we might not know quite so well is the conversation that Luke reports between Jesus and his disciples after this. He started by chiding them for their fears and doubts, and encouraged them that it was really him by showing them his feet and hands, and eating a piece of broiled fish (24:36-43). Then he reiterated the importance of knowing the testimony of the law and the prophets about him, and “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (24:44-45).

Here is the summary of the gospel: “Thus it is written that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (24:46-47). And then comes our commissioning in just a few words: “You are witnesses of these things” (24:48) – and it’s even shorter in Luke’s original Greek, only three words, ὑμεῖς μάρτυρες τούτων (humeis martures touton).

You are witnesses of these things. A witness is someone who has seen something, and tells about it. The original apostles were the ones who would be the witnesses at that moment, but we are the ones who are the witnesses in the present moment. We have seen the power of forgiveness. We have seen the proclamation of Jesus making a difference in people’s lives. We have seen Jesus touching people’s hearts. We have seen that. And we can say so.

* * * * *

Help us, Lord, to recognize – even in the midst of our own fears and doubts – that we have indeed seen you in action. We are witnesses of your resurrection power: for we have seen, and we can speak. Grant us the boldness to bear glad witness, as your gospel reaches to all the world.

If you find these studies helpful, please Like, Subscribe, Comment, and Share. Thanks!