49: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:1 – 35)

When they were discouraged and blinded, unable to recognize the reality of Jesus’ resurrection even after seeing the empty tomb and hearing the report of His resurrection, the Lord appeared to them, explained the Scriptures, strengthened their faith, and encouraged them.

Note that Jesus first appeared to the women, and then to two relatively unknown disciples on their way to Emmaus, rather than appearing first to the “major” disciples.

👉 Read Luke 24:1-35

Q1. “Why do you look for the (      ) among the (      ). He is not (      ) but has been raised! (        ) how he told you, while he was still in (      ), that the Son of Man must be (      ) into the hands of (         ), and be (      ), and on the third day (          ). Then, the women (           ) his words.”

Why do you look for the ( living ) among the ( dead ). He is not ( here ) but has been raised! ( Remember ) how he told you, while he was still in ( Galilee ), that the Son of Man must be ( delivered ) into the hands of ( sinful men ), and be ( crucified ), and on the third day ( rise again ). Then, the women ( remembered ) his words.

They did not pay attention to Jesus’ words and failed to realize this amazing moment of salvation. The Lord sent His angels to remind them of what Jesus had said. It was another act of grace.

When we forget the Word of God, we may find ourselves doing the wrong things in the wrong places.

Q2. What was the disciples' reaction when they heard the report? (Two)

They did not believe it

Peter went to the tomb to check it by himself.

Note that Jesus was not appeared to them, yet. They were challenged to believe Jesus’ words of resurrection.

Even after visiting the tomb, Peter couldn’t believe the resurrection and went home. This time, the angel didn’t appear to him. He was supposed to believe the report of the women. 

Q3. What made the two disciples who were going down to Emmaus feel hopeless? (Hint: What they expected from Jesus (19-21)? What was reported to them (22-24)?) 

They had hoped Jesus to redeem Israel. But their leaders handed him over to be crucified. 

They heard the report of the women but could not confirm He was really alive.

After hearing the report, they wanted to see Jesus in the tomb. The angels already told them He was not ‘here’. They wanted to check with their own eyes.

Q4. You (       ) people – how (      ) of heart to believe (      ) that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the (      ) to suffer these things and enter his (      ) ?

You ( foolish ) people – how ( slow ) of heart to believe ( all ) that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the ( Christ ) to suffer these things and enter his ( glory ) ?

Note that Jesus said, “Foolish,” rather than simply “unbelieving.” He did not expect them to easily believe the resurrection, because it was very difficult for them to comprehend. In fact, no one had believed the message of the resurrection.

What Jesus rebuked them for was their failure to remember and understand His words. Because they had failed to grasp the simple and literal meaning of what He had told them, they could not recognize the fulfillment of His words even when they saw the empty tomb. That is why they were foolish.

Remember the Word of God, and you will not be perplexed when the Lord accomplishes what He has told us.

Q5. When did they recognize Jesus? And what did they do?

When Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, their eyes were opened.

They got up very hour and returned to Jerusalem.

There, they found everyone gathered and talking about the Lord’s resurrection. Finally, through their physical encounter with the risen Lord, they came to accept the resurrection as a reality.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” 

"You foolish people – how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!"

How much do you believe the word of the Lord?