Jesus’ story didn’t end with his death and resurrection. We worship and praise him because his death and resurrection opened the way to eternal life for all of us who believe in him. But after his resurrection Jesus had a whole new, satisfying life ahead of him.

“It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:10-11

The closing chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the first chapters of Jesus’ glorious eternal reign in the kingdom of God. They tell us what Jesus was like after his death and resurrection, and what he asked of his followers.

On the Road to Emmaus

On the third day after Jesus’ death as two of Jesus’ disciples walked along the road to the village of Emmaus,“talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:14-15

This scene reminds me of videos on the Internet where military people come home unexpectedly and surprise their family members. Jesus must have enjoyed slipping in beside these people who loved him and were mourning over him.

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing as you walk along?’” Luke 24:17

They stopped as a fresh wave of emotion swept over them. The one named Cleopas asked, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Luke 24:18

Jesus prodded the disciples to tell him all about it, and they poured out the story. Jesus, the prophet, powerful in word and deed had been handed over by the chief priests to be crucified. Now three days had passed and stories were circulating that Jesus was alive, but they weren’t sure what to believe.

The two still didn’t know who Jesus was so they must have been surprised when he said, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” Luke 24:25-26

They listened, enthralled, as Jesus taught them all the Scriptures about himself from Moses through the prophets. When they reached Emmaus, Jesus was about to continue down the road, but they urged him to stay and join them for dinner.

Jesus Sightings

At the table Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to pass it to them. Blessing bread and handing it out was something Jesus had done many, many times during his ministry and it made these disciples instantly recognize him. Just as instantly, Jesus disappeared from their sight.

The two disciples realized that they should have recognized Jesus while he was teaching them on the road.

“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the scriptures to us?’” Luke 24:32

They hurried back to Jerusalem where they found the Eleven, and others who had gathered with them, full of excitement because Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter. The two from Emmaus told their story and while they were still talking, Jesus suddenly stood in the midst of the gatheing and said, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36

They thought they were seeing a ghost, but Jesus invited them to touch him and look at his hands and feet, scarred by the nails of crucifixion.

“‘It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’” Luke 24:39

Then Jesus asked for something to eat and when they gave him a piece of broiled fish, he ate it.

Thomas missed this gathering and wouldn’t believe that Jesus was alive unless he saw for himself. A week later Jesus appeared to his disciples again and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus kindly invited Thomas to touch him and look at his scars.  When Thomas acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and God, Jesus replied, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Luke 24:29

The Return to Galilee

After Passover ended, and Jesus wasn’t around to lead them everyday , Peter and the other disciples went home to Galilee. Jesus had told them he would meet them there, but they didn’t know when that would happen. So Peter decided to go fishing again and Thomas, Nathanael, James and John, and two other disciples decided to go out in the boat with him. They fished all night and didn’t catch anything.

What did they talk about out there all night? Did they tell stories about all the times they crossed that lake with Jesus, the people they met, and the miracles they saw? Did they reminisce about the stormy nights on the water when Jesus miraculously calmed the wind and waves?

Early in the morning they headed back to shore with their empty nets. In the distance they saw a man standing on the shore who called out to them,

“‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’

‘No,’ they answered.

He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ John 21:5-7

Peter leaped into the water and swam to Jesus as fast as he could while the others brought in the boat, dragging the net full of fish behind them. Jesus had a fire going, with fish and bread waiting for his friends, and when he asked them to bring some of the fish they had just caught, Peter went back to the boat and dragged ashore the heavy net with 153 large fish in it.

“None of the disciples dared to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.” John 21:12

Jesus Restores Peter

When they had finished eating Jesus spoke to Peter and asked him three times if he really loved him. Each time, when Peter said yes, Jesus asked him to feed his sheep.

Peter was hurt that Jesus kept asking whether he loved him. He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” John 21:17

Jesus did know that Peter loved him, but he saw that Peter needed to be convinced of the strength of his love. He had failed when Jesus was arrested and Peter denied knowing him three times. Jesus now asked Peter to confess his love three times, the same number of times he had betrayed him.

Then Jesus said that a time was coming when Peter would die in a way he would not choose for himself, but that his faithfulness would glorify God. “Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’ John 21:19

Peter looked back and saw that John was trailing along them and he asked, “‘Lord, what about him?’” John 21:21

It was none of Peter’s business how the Lord led John, his command to Peter was clear: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:23

The Great Commission

Jesus invited his followers to meet him on a mountain in Galilee and when they saw him they were overwhelmed and began to worship him — although even then, some of the disciples struggled to believe what they were seeing with their own eyes.

“He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45

Jesus gave  his followers the gift of the Scriptures so they could go on exploring their faith after he left. Some of them were already so committed to Jesus that they were ready to lay down their lives for him, but others needed time to grow. The Scriptures would always be there to guide them.

Jesus then commissioned them all to carry on the work he had begun. He told them to do what he had done: Preach the Gospel, make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. They were to teach people the Scriptures Jesus had taught, along with all the commands he had given them.

Jesus told his followers that he had authority over everything in heaven and on earth, and that he would always be with them. Soon they would return to Jerusalem, receive the Holy Spirit and become the Church, but on this day they were still just the band of Jesus followers who first met him in Galilee.

Thank God that they went out and did what Jesus commissioned them to do because as we read and apply the Scriptures to our lives today, we are the fruit of their obedience to the Great Commission.