Promise of the Father - Luke 24:36-53

During the seven mile journey to Emmaus two disciples, not of the twelve, encountered the resurrected Christ. They immediately returned to bring their experience to the apostles who were hiding in fear that they might be the next ones crucified. Jesus appeared while the two disciples were bearing witness that He was raised. The next Sunday Jesus appeared to Thomas. After that the disciples went to Galilee where Jesus appeared to them on the shore. They then returned to Jerusalem where Jesus led them to Bethany and ascended into His glorified state as God. Luke concludes his account and purpose as it began. He describes the resurrected presence of Christ through the promise of the life-giving Spirit in order to steady the sometimes wobbly belief of God-lovers as they live out their gospel witness.