Day 82: NT Luke C23-24 (END): Slow of heart? Jesus open my Mind so I may Understand…

This is the last two chapters—the end—of the The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke, who was a pagan by birth and a physician by profession, and had never seen our Lord. An early convert, he became a companion and co-worker of Saint Paul. In the first four verses of his Gospel he explains why he wrote it. Paul’s doctrine that salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone, is the theme of Saint Luke’s Gospel.

Salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone.

Salvation is for all of us imperfect human beings, not for Jesus, The Perfect One, alone.

Salvation is for all of us sinners, not for Jesus, who was without sin, alone.

Luke follows the Gospels of Matthew and Mark and precedes the Gospel of John.

But Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Then Jesus opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

Be open-hearted! Be open-minded!

Here is the third gospel rendition of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ… and be default the end of our life journey and story for we all know that the ending of all in life is usually much different than the beginning, unless, of course, we have Jesus in our hearts, are saved and surrendering our will to God and tapping into His Power, and we are permeated with the Holy Spirit in life.

(Jesus was) delivered to their will (our will when we sin and distance ourselves from Christ)…

“Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them a third time: “Why, what evil has this man done? I find no crime deserving of death in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

… and their cries prevailed… and Pilate pronounced sentence that what they asked for should be done… but Jesus he delivered to their will…

One of the robbers: “If thou art the Christ save thyself and us!”

The other robber rebuked him and said: “Dost not even thou fear God, seeing that thou are under the same sentence? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what our deeds deserved, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Other robber to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

Jesus said to him: “Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

Jesus cried out in a loud voice and said: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

And having said this, Jesus expired.

The centurion glorified God saying, “Truly this was a just man.”

The crowd began to return beating their breasts…

And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a councilor, a good and just man—he had not been party to their plan of action—of Arimathea, a town of Judea, who was himself looking for the kingdom of God, He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped him in a linen cloth, and laid him in a rockhewn tomb where no one had ever yet been laid… and it was Preparation Day… and the women… and they went back and prepared spices and ointments… and on the Sabbath they rested, in accordance with the commandment.

But on the first day of the week at early dawn, they came to the tomb… and they found the stone rolled back from the tomb. But on entering, they did not find the body of Jesus…

… two men stood by them in dazzling raiment, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he spoke to you while he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.”

And they remembered his words. And having returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Now, it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the other women who were with them, who were telling these things to the apostles. But this tale seemed to them to be nonsense, and they did not believe the women. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid there; and he went away wondering to himself at what had come to pass.

And it came to pass, while they were conversing and arguing together, that Jesus himself also drew near and went along with them; but their eyes were held, that they should not recognize him.

And Jesus said to the two apostles: “what words are these that you are exchanging as you walk and are sad?”

One of them Cleophas, answered and said to Jesus: “art thou the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Jesus” “What things?”

They said to him: “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, today is the third day since these things came to pass. And moreover, certain women of our company, who were at the tomb before it was light, astounded us, and not finding his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he is alive. So some of our company went to the tomb, and found it even as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

But Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things before entering into his glory?”

And beginning then with Moses and with all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things referring to himself.

“Stay with us, for it is getting towards evening, and the day is now far spent.”

And Jesus went in with them. And it came to pass when he reclined at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke and began handing it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

And they said to each other, “Was not our heart burning within us while he was speaking on the road and explaining to us the Scriptures?”

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.”

Now while they were talking of these things, Jesus stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace to you! It is I, do not be afraid.”

But they were startled and panic-stricken, and thought that they saw a spirit.

And Jesus said to them, “Why are you disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Feel me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

But as they still disbelieved and marveled for joy, Jesus said, “Have you anything here to eat?”

And Jesus said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled that are written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me.”

Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

And Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written; and thus the Christ should suffer, and should rise again from the dead on the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you yourselves are witnesses of these things. And I send forth upon you the promise of my Father. But wait here in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:44 These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.

Now he led them out towards Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them, that he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

…that all things must be fulfilled that are written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me.”

Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

But Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!

Be open-hearted! Be open-minded!

Why be slow of heart? Jesus open my mind so that I may understand… my own personal salvation…

Day 82: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Why be slow of heart? Jesus open my Mind so that I may Understand…

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Gospel of Saint Luke Chapters 23-24.

Bible Notes:

The Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke

Saint Luke, a pagan by birth and a physician by profession, had never seen our Lord. An early convert, he became a companion and co-worker of Saint Paul.

In the first four verses of his Gospel he explains why he wrote it. Paul’s doctrine that salvation is for all, not for Jesus alone, is the theme of Saint Luke’s Gospel.

 

Luke Chapter 23:  Jesus before Pilate; Jesus before Herod; Jesus again before Pilate; Barabbas chosen over Jesus; The sentence of death; The way of the cross; The crucifixion; Christ’s promise to the good thief; The death of Jesus; The words of the centurion; The burial.

Whole assemblage accuses Jesus: “We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he is Christ a king.”

Pilate asking Jesus: “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus answered: “Thou sayest it.”

Pilate to the chief priests and to the crowds: “I find no guilt in this man.”

They persisted, saying: “He is stirring up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, and beginning from Galilee even to this place.”

But Pilate, hearing Galilee, asked whether this man was a Galilean. And learning that he belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him back to Herod, who likewise was in Jerusalem in those days.

Herod… had been for a long time desirous to see Jesus… and he was hoping to see some miracle done by him… with his soldiery, treated Jesus with contempt and mocked him in a bright robe, and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends that very day; whereas previously they had been at enmity with each other.

Pilate to the chief priests and the rulers and the people: “You have brought before me this man, as one who perverts the people; and behold, I upon examining him in your presence have found no guilt in this man as touching those things of which you accuse him. Neither has Herod; for I sent you back to him, and behold, nothing deserving of death has been committed by him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

Whole mob cried out together: “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!”

But Pilate spoke to them again, wishing to release Jesus.

“Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Pilate said to them a third time: “Why, what evil has this man done? I find no crime deserving of death in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”

… and their cries prevailed… and Pilate pronounced sentence that what they asked for should be done… but Jesus he delivered to their will…

Simon of Cyrene… and upon him they laid the cross to bear it after Jesus.

Jesus turning to them said: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, days are coming in which men will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if in the case of green wood they do these things what is to happen in the case of the dry?”

Now there were also two other malefactors led to execution with him.

And when they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, and the robbers, one on his right hand and the other on his left.

Jesus said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

People and rulers sneering at him, saying: “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is Christ, the chosen one of God.”

Soldiers also mocked him: “If thou art the King of the Jews, save thyself!”

An inscription written over him in Greek and in Latin and Hebrew letters: “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the robbers: “If thou art the Christ save thyself and us!”

The other robber rebuked him and said: “Dost not even thou fear God, seeing that thou are under the same sentence? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what our deeds deserved, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

Other robber to Jesus: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

Jesus said to him: “Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

Jesus cried out in a loud voice and said: “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

And having said this, Jesus expired.

The centurion glorified God saying, “Truly this was a just man.”

The crowd began to return beating their breasts…

And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a councilor, a good and just man—he had not been party to their plan of action—of Arimathea, a town of Judea, who was himself looking for the kingdom of God, He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped him in a linen cloth, and laid him in a rockhewn tomb where no one had ever yet been laid… and it was Preparation Day… and the women… and they went back and prepared spices and ointments… and on the Sabbath they rested, in accordance with the commandment.

 

Luke Chapter 24:  The women at the empty tomb; The women report to the Eleven; Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus; The two disciples speak to Jesus; Christ’s words to the two disciples; The two recognize Jesus; They return to Jerusalem; Jesus appears to the Eleven; The last instructions of Jesus; The Ascension

But on the first day of the week at early dawn, they came to the tomb… and they found the stone rolled back from the tomb. But on entering, they did not find the body of Jesus…

… two men stood by them in dazzling raiment, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he spoke to you while he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.”

And they remembered his words. And having returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Now, it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the other women who were with them, who were telling these things to the apostles. But this tale seemed to them to be nonsense, and they did not believe the women. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths laid there; and he went away wondering to himself at what had come to pass.

And it came to pass, while they were conversing and arguing together, that Jesus himself also drew near and went along with them; but their eyes were held, that they should not recognize him.

And Jesus said to the two apostles: “what words are these that you are exchanging as you walk and are sad?”

One of them Cleophas, answered and said to Jesus: “art thou the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Jesus” “What things?”

They said to him: “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in work and word before God and all the people; and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be sentenced to death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who should redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, today is the third day since these things came to pass. And moreover, certain women of our company, who were at the tomb before it was light, astounded us, and not finding his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he is alive. So some of our company went to the tomb, and found it even as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

But Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things before entering into his glory?”

And beginning then with Moses and with all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things referring to himself.

“Stay with us, for it is getting towards evening, and the day is now far spent.”

And Jesus went in with them. And it came to pass when he reclined at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke and began handing it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.

And they said to each other, “Was not our heart burning within us while he was speaking on the road and explaining to us the Scriptures?”

“The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.”

Now while they were talking of these things, Jesus stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace to you! It is I, do not be afraid.”

But they were startled and panic-stricken, and thought that they saw a spirit.

And Jesus said to them, “Why are you disturbed, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Feel me and see; for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

But as they still disbelieved and marveled for joy, Jesus said, “Have you anything here to eat?”

And Jesus said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled that are written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me.”

Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures.

And Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written; and thus the Christ should suffer, and should rise again from the dead on the third day; and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you yourselves are witnesses of these things. And I send forth upon you the promise of my Father. But wait here in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Now he led them out towards Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them, that he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

 

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