Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
1 John 3:9
Ang mga anak ng Diyos ay hindi nagpapatuloy sa pagkakasala, sapagkat nananatili sa kanila ang binhing mula sa Diyos. At dahil ang Diyos ang ama nila, hindi sila maaaring magpatuloy sa pagkakasala. 1 Juan 3:9
Luke 24:36-49 | Acts 3:11-26
When I resumed leading this Bible study group, I was requested to lead the discussion based on the lectionary reading for the previous Sunday. However, as I looked at the readings for this week, it seems to focus on repentance – on what we must DO. The readings were cut so as to convey a certain rendering of the message. I have chosen to include additional verses and focus rather on what has been DONE.
Let us read Luke 24:36-49 and Acts 3:11-26. In your free time, please read the entire Luke 24 and Acts 3. As additional reading, also look at 1 John 3.
Introduction
Both Luke and Acts were believed to be written by one person—the doctor Luke. Both are addressed to a person (whether real or any seeker of Godly wisdom, we’ll not discuss here) named Theophilus. The name can mean “friend of God” or “(be)loved of God” or “loving God.”
Previously, we have been looking at John’s account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week, we look at Luke’s account. Chapter 24 is the last chapter, and the earlier verses recount the women’s discovery of the empty tomb. In John’s account, it was Mary Magdalene who saw the two angels. In Luke’s account, there were several women. Both accounts had Peter running to the tomb (with John also in John’s gospel) to check, only to find the strips of linen lying in the empty tomb.
The next verses recall how Jesus walked with two disciples on the way to Emmaus, expounding on the scriptures, beginning at Moses (the Pentateuch) and all the Prophets (the Writings). Jesus expounded using the scriptures, what we know as the Old Testament, “the things concerning Himself.” (See Luke 24:27)
The eyes of the disciples were opened during the breaking of the bread. As Jesus had already disappeared the disciples ran back to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven.
The Resurrected Christ
Our passage opens with the disciples busy discussing the resurrection of Jesus, then Jesus appears in their midst. It’s like in some fantasy movies where the wizard’s name is mentioned, then he appears and says, “you called?”
In this case, Jesus greets them with the usual greeting, like our “Mabuhay!” or more commonly now, “musta?” Jesus and the disciples spoke Hebrew, so instead of the Greek New Testament account of him saying “Eirene hymin,” he must have greeted them with “Shalom!”
As they were not yet indwelt by the Holy Spirit, their reaction to seeing Jesus was fear. They were so terrified even with the evidence of Jesus’ presence right before their eyes. Jesus needed to prove to them that it was really him, and that he was alive.
A spirit or ghost can sometimes move things, so that would not be enough proof. His proof to them was the physical presence of flesh and bones. In our times, these very words were used to deny the divinity of Christ. However, in this case, having flesh and bones proves the physical presence of Jesus. If he was physically present, after their being eye witnesses to his death, then the resurrection was proven in their midst.
But the disciples were still slow to believe. Jesus has already shown the reality of the resurrection when he brought back to life several dead people, including Lazarus. But, with the absence of the Holy Spirit yet (He would later descend to indwell them later in Acts, the part two of Luke), they were still in unbelief. His physical presence and the visible proof of flesh and bones were not enough proof.
The Word Revealed
It was now time for the proof that they would understand. The other disciples (not the Eleven) knew Jesus when he broke bread in Emmaus. Now, Jesus was to show a similar proof. Let us look again at verse 41.
But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?”
Luke 24:41
Parang hindi pa rin sila makapaniwala sa laki ng galak at pagkamangha, kaya't tinanong sila ni Jesus, “May pagkain ba kayo riyan?” Lucas 24:41
The one thing that would prove beyond doubt that it was really Jesus was him to break bread with them. Besides, a spirit or ghost cannot eat. Only a living human can eat. So he asked for food. When they gave him some broiled fish, he ate it. It must have convinced them that it was really him, and that he has already resurrected.
He then proceeded to open their eyes to the words he already spoke while with them. As we have seen in the account of the disciples walking to Emmaus, the truth of Jesus’ words are in the Scriptures.
And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45
Binuksan niya ang kanilang pag-iisip upang maunawaan nila ang mga Kasulatan. Lucas 24:45
These events really are to our advantage, us living at this present age. If they believed because they saw, we would be at a disadvantage because, unless we see Jesus in a vision, we would never be eyewitnesses. However, it was only when the scriptures were opened, beginning at Moses, which are the books of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, or in other words, our Old Testament—only when Jesus was revealed in the Old Testament did the disciples understand and believe. We have further advantage that we have the New Testament as well. When we see that the entirety of the Word of God, the Bible, points only to Jesus, then our eyes would be opened and we would understand.
Luke, our writer, closes the epistle with Jesus’ parting words and his ascension. Let us look at Jesus’ farewell words.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Luke 24:46-49
46 Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Ganito ang nasusulat: kinakailangang magdusa at mamatay ang Cristo; at pagkatapos, siya'y muling mabubuhay sa ikatlong araw. 47 Sa kanyang pangalan, ang pagsisisi at kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan ay dapat ipangaral sa lahat ng mga bansa, magmula sa Jerusalem. 48 Kayo ang mga saksi sa mga bagay na ito. 49 Tandaan ninyo, isusugo ko sa inyo ang ipinangako ng aking Ama, kaya't huwag kayong aalis sa Jerusalem hangga't hindi kayo napagkakalooban ng kapangyarihang mula sa langit.” Lucas 24:46-49
Often, the version of Matthew to go out into all the world to make disciples is used as wordings for the great commission. I actually like the version here. Jesus spells out the premise for the commission. He emphasized that everything has already been written about in the Scriptures. And the Scriptures point to the sufferings, death and resurrection of the Christ. Because Jesus already fulfilled these words about the Christ, then the next actions are to be done. And it is here that I often differ from others. Often, they “push” the disciples out into the world to evangelize the world. I’ve seen new Christians being pushed thus.
If their experience is not like Zacchaeus or the woman at the well in Samaria, they often are at a loss how to go about the evangelism. I know because I experienced this before. That is why I chose to include verse 49. For me, this is crucial. Many young Christians become discouraged because they are made to evangelize before they are ready. Even the disciples of Jesus had to spend three years with the Lord before they could go out. And they even cowered in a hidden upper room until the events of Acts 2. So let me emphasize again verse 49.
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.
Luke 24:49
49 Tandaan ninyo, isusugo ko sa inyo ang ipinangako ng aking Ama, kaya't huwag kayong aalis sa Jerusalem hangga't hindi kayo napagkakalooban ng kapangyarihang mula sa langit. Lucas 24:49
It says tarry. Wait. Stand still. Huwag kayong aalis. This is often neglected. This is the most important step that leaders often miss. They push their people out to evangelize without waiting. But the most important part is the waiting. Even Isaiah said this.
But those who wait on the Lord
Isaiah 40:31
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Ngunit muling lumalakas at sumisigla ang nagtitiwala kay Yahweh. Lilipad silang tulad ng mga agila. Sila'y tatakbo ngunit hindi mapapagod, sila'y lalakad ngunit hindi manghihina. Isaias 40:31
It is only when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, endued with power from on high, that we can effectively do what Jesus commissioned us to do. For actually when we are baptized by the Holy Spirit, it is no longer us doing the witnessing but the Holy Spirit testifying to the Words of Christ. It is only then that we become effective witnesses, when we can declare the ungodly life we lived before meeting Christ, and how he changed us. If this is not us, we should do as Luke 24:49 and Isaiah 40:31 say. We wait upon the Lord. We stay put. We wait.
But once we have our testimony, we become effective witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Living In The Resurrection
Now, we come to the passage in Acts 3. This is after the Holy Spirit has already descended upon them. He has already baptized the Apostles and this whole book records how the Holy Spirit moves through the Apostles to advance the name of Jesus.
The beginning verses of this chapter of Acts tells the story of how Peter and John healed a man born lame. The words that Peter used in pronouncing healing to the lame man is a favorite phrase of many rural pastors, but seldom quoted by city pastors, especially those shepherding large and rich congregations. They would rather quote some other verses, and some other healing stories. The lectionary now skips those first verses and goes to the resulting sermon of Peter.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.
Acts 3:6-8
6 Ngunit sinabi ni Pedro, “Wala akong pilak o ginto, ngunit kung ano ang mayroon ako ay siya kong ibibigay sa iyo. Sa pangalan ni Jesu-Cristong taga-Nazaret, tumayo ka at lumakad.” 7 Hinawakan niya sa kanang kamay ang lumpo at itinayo. Noon di'y lumakas ang mga paa at bukung-bukong ng lalaki; 8 palukso itong tumayo at nagsimulang lumakad. Pumasok siya sa Templo kasama nila, naglalakad, lumulundag at nagpupuri sa Diyos. Gawa 3:6-8
It is good to look at maps and diagrams of the Temple during the time of Jesus to give us an appreciation of where these events took place.
The healing took place at The Gate Beautiful. It was as Peter and John were entering the temple. After the man was healed, he held on to them. They must have entered, through the Women’s Courtyard, through the Nicanor Gate, and to the Israelite Courtyard. Of course, Gentiles and women would not have been present there. Then they went out the same way, and after passing again through the gate called Beautiful, they were at Solomon’s Portico, where the events in the passage occurred.
It is interesting that Peter held his sermon at this place. It was a place where the men can hear his message. But, since it was outside the courtyard reserved for women, the women can hear his message. The Gentiles could only go to the court of the Gentiles and no nearer. However, they can very well see and hear Peter speaking in the Portico named after Solomon. In a way, it was the most ideal location to reach the widest audience. And he did deliver his sermon there.
The lectionary reading actually ends with verse 19 which is a call to repent. Repentance is often described as the 180 degree turn. I’ve heard a lot of pastors proclaim, however, that repentance is a 360 degree turn. I guess many of them have realized already the difference and now go with 180. This calls to mind the CAT and CMT says. Yes, ROTC was then called CMT. Repentance is like when you are standing at attention and the platoon leader or company commander calls out, “harap sa likodddd…na!” It is an about face, changing the facing.
19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 3:19
19 Kaya nga, magsisi kayo at magbalik-loob sa Diyos upang patawarin ang inyong mga kasalanan, Gawa 3:19
Repentance is simply the changing of the mind. Often, a changing of the lifestyle is also called for. And that may be what is understood when ending the passage at verse 19. But the message actually goes further. For our part is the decision. The changing of our lives is the part of the Holy Spirit residing in us. We only allow Him to work in us. It is not us going about, returning, doing this and that. It is only the decision to accept Him.
That is why I would rather end the passage with verse 26.
26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.
Acts 3:26
26 Kaya't matapos buhayin ng Diyos ang kanyang Lingkod, sa inyo siya unang isinugo upang pagpalain kayo at tulungang tumalikod sa inyong masamang pamumuhay. Gawa 3:26
Repentance is not about your change in lifestyle. Repentance is about your decision. You turn to Jesus, and Jesus changes you and empowers you to leave your sins behind. It is not about YOU DOING the changing of your life from being a sinner to a life of holiness. Rather, Jesus has already DONE it. He has finished it. You just let Jesus live his life in you, focus on HIS FINISHED work, and you’ll be surprised to see the changes he has done in your life.
THERE IS THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION
TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS
KAYA NGA WALA NANG KAHATULANG PARUSA
SA MGA TAONG NAKIPAG-ISA NA
KAY CRISTO JESUS
Shalom.
All bible references are from the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. All references in Filipino are from the Ang Mabuting Balita Bibliya. Online reference at the Bible Gateway website (www.biblegateway.com) and Hebrew or Greek interlinear texts provided by Bible Hub (biblehub.com).
