Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is Luke 24:36-43.

“³⁶  While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

 37  But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.

 38  And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?

 39  “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.”

 40  And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

 41  While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

 42  They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish;

 43  and He took it and ate it before them.”  Luke 24:36-43.  

When we receive news that seems to shake our world as the disciples felt after Jesus was crucified, we need to turn to Jesus and be reminded of those words:  “Peace be to you.  …  it is I Myself …”

Peace is not pride.

Peace is not place.

Peace is not possessions.

Peace is a Person, The Prince of Peace.

We often wrongly think:

1.  I will experience peace if I do what is right (pride).

2.  I will experience peace if I am in the right place.

3.  I will experience peace if I have the right possessions.

We refrain from peace until that future occurrence of pride, place, or possessions.

We need to be reminded of the peace that we already have through Christ.

“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;…

Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6 (emphasis added).

Jesus said: “`Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful'”.  John 14:27.

The world gives flashes of “fool’s gold” peace dependent on pride, place, and possessions that quickly come and go.

Christ gives us His peace that will never leave.

We focus on the following verses.

 ¹⁵  While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.

 ¹⁶  But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

 ¹⁷  And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?”  And they stood still, looking sad.

 ¹⁸  One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”

 ¹⁹  And He said to them, “What things?”  And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,

 ²⁰  and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.

 ²¹  “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.  Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.

 ²²  “But also some women among us amazed us.  When they were at the tomb early in the morning,

 ²³  and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.

 ²⁴  “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”

 ²⁵  And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

 ²⁶  “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”

 ²⁷  Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”  Luke 24:13-27.

Both this Scripture and the prior Scripture contain reminders.  We should heed this repeated lesson to remember what we learn from Scripture.

But, there is more.  We should believe what we learn from Scripture.  “And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”  Luke 24:25.  “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”  Luke 24:27. 

We can study Scripture.  We can even remember it.  But, it will do us no good if we don’t believe it and come to Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”  John 5:39-40.

In conclusion, the following Scripture ties it together.  It presents the need for grace from God so that we can come to Jesus.  It presents the reminder of what “is written in the prophets”.  It presents the assurance of eternal life to those who do believe.   

“⁴⁴  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him;  and I will raise him up on the last day.

 ⁴⁵  “It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’  Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.

 ⁴⁶  “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God;  He has seen the Father.

 ⁴⁷  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”  John 6:44-47.

 ³  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

 ⁴  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;

 ⁵  and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?

 ⁶  “He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee,

 ⁷  saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

 ⁸  And they remembered His words,

 ⁹  and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

 ¹⁰  Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James;  also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles.

 ¹¹  But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them.

 ¹²  But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only;  and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened.”  Luke 24:1-12. 

This Scripture covers the resurrection of Jesus, and we can first quickly note what The Heidelberg Catechism states about the importance of the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.

Question 45.  What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us?

Answer.  First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, that he might make us partakers of that righteousness which he had purchased for us by his death;  secondly, we are also by his power raised up to a new life; an lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.

But, there is more that we should learn from this Scripture.  This fact of the resurrection is immediately followed by the reminder:  “Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words,”

Do we remember His words?  Do we remind others of His words?

We have His words in the printed form of the Bible. 

We have His words even in the audio form if you want to use that resource. 

We have His words “on-line” so that we can easily click on the particular book and chapter that we want – Click here: New American Standard Bible (NASB) – Version Information – BibleGateway.com

We can even search through Scripture “on-line” by the use of keywords – Click here: BibleGateway.com: Search for a Bible word or phrase in over 35 languages and 50 versions.

We can go to church and hear His words preached.

We can go to Bible studies and more informally hear His words taught and discussed.

We can “taste and touch” His words through communion.

We can open certain emails such as this one and read His words.

We know of so many other ways that we can access His words to help us to remember them.

“²  But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
    ³  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
         Which yields its fruit in its season
         And its leaf does not wither;
         And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3. 

John 6:63
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

 ⁵²  this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

 ⁵³  And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

 ⁵⁴  It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

 ⁵⁵  Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

 ⁵⁶  Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.  And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”  Luke 23:50-56.

This Scripture covers the burial of Jesus, and we can first quickly note what The Heidelberg Catechism states about the importance of the fact that Jesus was buried.

Question 41.  Why was he also “buried”?

Answer.  Thereby to prove that he was really dead.

But, there is more that we should learn from this Scripture.  We see the sovereignty of God in providing for all the details of this burial. 

Out of the Council filled with chief priests and other leaders intent on putting Jesus to death, God reserved for Himself “a good and righteous man” named Joseph to request Jesus’ body from Pilate and to lay Jesus’ body in an unused tomb. 

When it seems like everyone is enraged and out of control, God is still in control.  We are reminded of Romans 11:2-4. 

^“2  God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.  Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

 ³  “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”

 ⁴  But what is the divine response to him?  “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”

 ⁵  In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.”  Romans 11:2-4.

God was in control to provide Joseph to bury Jesus.

God was also in control to provide the women to be other witnesses to Jesus’ burial.

God was also in control to provide the spices and perfumes that were prophesied so long ago.  The spices and perfumes signify that God was well-pleased with His Son and with the sacrifice made by His Son.  Matthew 3:17 :  “… ” This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” 

God was also in control to finish all of these details of the burial before the Sabbath, and they rested according to the commandment.   

“²  The kings of the earth take their stand
         And the rulers take counsel together
         Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
    ³  “Let us tear their fetters apart
         And cast away their cords from us!”
    ⁴  He who sits in the heavens laughs,
         The Lord scoffs at them.”  Psalm 2:2-4.

In conclusion, God calls and uses a few good men like Joseph and women like those who followed Jesus out of Galilee to accomplish His purpose.  God accomplishes all of His good pleasure.  What an encouragement this is to us! 

“⁹  “Remember the former things long past,
         For I am God, and there is no other;
         I am God, and there is no one like Me,
    ¹⁰  Declaring the end from the beginning,
         And from ancient times things which have not been done,
         Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
         And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
    ¹¹  Calling a bird of prey from the east,
         The man of My purpose from a far country
         Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
         I have planned it, surely I will do it.”  Isaiah 46:9-11.

 ⁴⁶  And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

 ⁴⁷  Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”

 ⁴⁸  And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

 ⁴⁹  And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.”  Luke 23:44-49.

The innocence of Jesus was proclaimed throughout this chapter.  The repetition deserves our notice.

^“Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.”  Luke 23:4. 

“and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one who incites the people to rebellion, and behold, having examined Him before you, I have found no guilt in this man regarding the charges which you make against Him.”  Luke 23:14. 

“No, nor has Herod, for he sent Him back to us; and behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him.”  Luke 23:15. 

“And he said to them the third time, “Why, what evil has this man done?  I have found in Him no guilt demanding death;  therefore I will punish Him and release Him.”  Luke 23:22.

“And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds;  but this man has done nothing wrong.”  Luke 23:41. 

“Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”  Luke 23:47.

Why is the innocence of Jesus so emphasized and repeated?

The following sections of The Heidelberg Catechism explain that God will have His justice satisfied and that we can not make this satisfaction.  We need a mediator and deliverer that is man, but Who is also perfectly righteous, and Who is also God to be able to sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin.

V. LORD’S DAY.

Question 12.  Since then, by the righteous judgment of God, we deserved temporal and eternal punishment, is there no way by which we may escape that punishment, and be again received into favor?

Answer.  God will have his justice satisfied; and therefore we must make this full satisfaction, either by ourselves, or by another.

Question 13.  Can we ourselves then make this satisfaction?

Answer.  By no means;  but on the contrary we daily increase our debt.

Question 14. Can there be found anywhere, one, who is a mere creature, able to satisfy for us?

Answer. None; for, first, God will not punish any other creature for the sin which man hath committed;  and further, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin, so as to deliver others from it.

Question 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

Answer.  For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous; and yet more powerful than all creatures;  that is, one who is also very God.

VI. LORD’S DAY.

Question 16.  Why must he be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

Answer.  Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned, should  likewise make satisfaction for sin; and one, who is himself a sinner, cannot satisfy for others.

Question 17.  Why must he in one person be also very God?

Answer.  That he might, by the power of his Godhead sustain in his human nature, the burden of God’s wrath; and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Question 18.  Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God, and a real righteous man?

Answer.  Our Lord Jesus Christ:  “who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

Question 19.  Whence knowest thou this?

Answer.  From the holy gospel, which God himself first revealed in Paradise;  and afterwards published by the patriarchs and prophets, and represented by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and lastly, has fulfilled it by his only begotten Son.

 ⁴⁰  But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

 ⁴¹  “And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.”

 ⁴²  And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

 ⁴³  And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”  Luke 23:39-43. 

Because only one of the two criminals was saved, it is particularly worthwhile to compare the attitude and approach of the two criminals.  The first criminal was prideful, abusive, and demanding;  the second criminal was humble, first concerned with fearing God and honoring God, and was reasonable.

Certain Bible verses rush to our mind in support. 

The fear of God leads to life. 

 ³⁴  But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them;  for they do not know what they are doing “  And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.

 ³⁵  And the people stood by, looking on.  And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others;  let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”

 ³⁶  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,

 ³⁷  and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”

 ³⁸  Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”  Luke 23:33-38.

Sometimes Scripture provides clues or shadows like the coats of skins covering Adam and Eve.  Sometimes Scripture provides more helpful hints or images like the Passover Lamb.  Sometimes, Scriptures provides parables like the Lost Sheep.  Sometimes, Scripture provides direct and full explanations like the exact representation of the nature of God, Jesus Christ, and also like the doctrine that we read in much of the New Testament beginning with the book of 1 Corinthians.

Here, in this Scripture for today, we have clues or shadows that should cause us to ask questions and meditate on this Scripture.

What is the significance of Jesus not saving Himself?

What is the significance of Jesus being the King of the Jews?

We can look to the Heidelberg Catechism for help with at least the first question.

Question 40.  Why was it necessary for Christ to humble himself even unto death?

Answer.  Because with respect to the justice and truth of God, satisfaction for our sins could be made no otherwise, than by the death of the Son of God.

We can also look to the Canons of Dordt (Second Head of Doctrine) for help with at least the first question.

Article 1.  God is not only supremely merciful, but also supremely just.  And his justice requires (as he hath revealed himself in his Word), that our sins committed against his infinite majesty should be punished, not only with temporal, but with eternal punishment, both in body and soul;  which we cannot escape, unless satisfaction be made to the justice of God.

Article 2.  Since therefore we are unable to make that satisfaction in our own persons, or to deliver ourselves from the wrath of God, he hath been pleased in his infinite mercy to give his only begotten Son, for our surety, who was made sin, and became a curse for us and in our stead, that he might make satisfaction to divine justice on our behalf.

Article 3.  The death of the Son of God is the only and most perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for sin;  and is of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world.

Regarding the second questions, we see clues, helpful hints, and direct and full explanations through the following Scripture that can help us.  Although, in one sense, Jesus is King over everyone, there is another sense as hinted in this Scripture that there is a specific and chosen people for whom Christ died and for whom Christ reigns.  

1 Peter 2:9
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

 ²⁸  But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.

 ²⁹  “For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’

 ³⁰  “Then they will begin TO SAY TO THE MOUNTAINS, ‘FALL ON US,’ AND TO THE HILLS, ‘COVER US.’

 ³¹  “For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

 ³²  Two others also, who were criminals, were being led away to be put to death with Him.”  Luke 23:26-32. 

These people (Simon, “Daughters of Jerusalem”, and the two criminals) represent those who suffer, one unjustly (Simon) and the others justly (although one of the two criminals was still saved).  The following Scripture exhorts us, when we suffer unjustly, to follow the example of Christ and endure it patiently.  

^“19  For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

 ²⁰  For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience?   But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

 ²¹  For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

 ²²  WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

 ²³  and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

 ²⁴  and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness;  for by His wounds you were healed.

 ²⁵  For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”  1 Peter 2:19-25.

 ³⁰  that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 ³¹  “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;

 ³²  but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

 ³³  But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!”

 ³⁴  And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”  Luke 22:28-34.

Going on vacation …

Next post, God willing, will be September 13, 2010.

“strengthen your brothers.”