Read Luke 24 at Bible Gateway.
This chapter forms a chiastic structure:
Luk 24:1-53
1a) Luk 24:1-12, Jesus rose up from the dead;
1b) Luk 24:13-24, Two on the road to Emmaus witness to a “stranger” all that happened concerning Jesus;
1c) Luk 24:25-26, Ought not the Messiah to have suffered and entered into His glory?;
1d) Luk 24:27, From Moses and the Prophets He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself;
1e) Luk 24:28-30, He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them;
1f) Luk 24:31a, Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him;
1g) Luk 24:31b, He vanished from their sight;
1h) Luk 24:32, Our hearts burned within us while He talked with us on the road;
central axis) Luk 24:33-34, The Lord is risen indeed!;
2h) Luk 24:35, They told about the things that happened on the road;
2g) Luk 24:36, Jesus Himself appeared in their midst;
2f) Luk 24:37-40, Do not doubt, but handle Me and see that it is I Myself;
2e) Luk 24:41-43, They gave Him a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb, and He ate it in their presence;
2d) Luk 24:44-45, And He opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures;
2c) Luk 24:46-47, Thus it is written, that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day;
2b) Luk 24:48-49, And you are witnesses of these things;
2a) Luk 24:50-53, Jesus rose up into heaven.
What stood out to me today, is the witnessing. This is what we are called to do: to tell what we have seen and heard, just as the two on the road to Emmaus did, to the “stranger” who joined their group. That the witnessing of the two on the road to Emmaus is paired with Jesus’ statement, “And you are witnesses of these things;” — (what things? That Messiah suffered and rose from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, Luk 24:46-47) — reveals that witnessing, just as the two did it, albeit unknowingly, is what He is talking about.
The two were going about their business and living their life, when an opportunity arose for them to tell what they had seen and heard. That’s it — unforced and unplanned, except by God.
The other aspect of the witnessing, is the declaration which goes with it, that Jesus is sending the promise of His Father upon them, and they will be endued with power from on high (Luk 24:49). This is the reason we have been given the Holy Spirit – so that the witnessing that we do, will be Spirit- breathed and filled with power. What power? The power to convict of sin and righteousness and to lead to repentance so that remission of sins may be received. The Spirit is the Great Fisher of Men, and our testimony is the mere bait!
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