Luke 24:48-53 - Joyful Hearts Sharing His Gospel

Thursday August07JoyfulHearts Sharing His GospelLuke 24:48-5348And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of MyFather upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued withpower from on high." 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, andHe lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while Heblessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 Andthey worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 andwere continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.Aswe look at the last verses of Luke 24, we remember that after the crucifixionof Christ, the disciples faced disappointment, discouragement, and all thatcomes with it. The women went to the tomb with perplexed hearts,expecting a sealed tomb. Today, many in our Christian community love the Lordand live for Him, like these women, but get perplexed trying to figure it allout. What is happening? Where is His body? He shows them the open tomb and evengives His first appearance to Mary Magdalene.  Then,we have the two disciples on the road to Emmaus with discouraged hearts,thinking Jesus was going to set up His kingdom. Many believers today arediscouraged because things aren't turning out as expected. Jesus opens theireyes to see Him. In the upper room, the disciples have troubled hearts,afraid and wondering what is going on. Jesus opens their understanding to theScriptures, explaining all things concerning His death, burial, andresurrection, beginning with Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Andwhat happens next? We find out in verse 52.  They have joyful hearts and Jesus nowopens their lips to share the Good News of His resurrection. My friend, whenyou know there's an empty tomb, keep your eyes on Jesus Christ, and realize Heis there with you, and He opens your understanding to all the Scriptures, youwill experience a joyful heart and be willing to open your lips too! Luke24:50-52 should be compared with Mark 16:19-20 and Acts 1:9-12. Think of whatit meant to Him to return to heaven and sit on the throne of glory! (John 17:5,11) His ascension is proof that He has conquered every enemy and that He reignssupremely "far above all" (Eph. 1:18-23). Inheaven today, our Lord ministers as our High Priest (Heb. 7:25) and ourAdvocate (1 John 2:1). As High Priest, He gives us the grace we need to facetesting and temptation (Heb. 4:14-16); and if we fail, as Advocate He forgivesand restores us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:6-10). As the glorified Headof the church, Jesus Christ is equipping His people to live for Him and serveHim in this present world (Eph. 4:7-16; Heb. 13:20-21). Through the Word of Godand prayer, He is ministering to us by His Spirit and making us more likeHimself. Ilove this book. It started with Zacharias in the temple and the angelsappearing to shepherds, proclaiming, a message “of great joy whichshall be to all people." Now the book ends with these disciples fullof great joy. Jesus opens their lips, and they go everywhere worshiping,praising, and telling the nations that Jesus Christ is alive. He is risen, andyou can trust Him today to be your Lord and Savior. It will change everything,and your perplexed, troubled, discouraged hearts will become joyful heartsliving for eternity.  That’swhat the Great Commission is all about. Over the next couple of days we will betalking about how you can also participate in fulfilling the Great Commission. Godbless!