35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he ate it as they watched.
44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things.
49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
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It’s interesting that Jesus seems to be saying that ghosts exist. He says, “ghosts don’t have bodies as you see I have.” Just an interesting thought to me.
What I struggle with is recognizing the “power from heaven” I am to receive when I received the Holly Spirit. Do I just not recognize it? Is it different today?
But what I am most struck by in this passage is that after Jesus is with them, and then leaves them, their grieving turns to joy–great joy–and praise. Why? It must have changed based on their finally understanding what Jesus had been telling them all along! That’s why it’s so important that I understand!
Dave… (by the way, just in case I have not told you recently, thank you for your immense measure of assistance, several years ago) … now back to Luke Luke 24:35-53. This just happens to be one of my all time favorite sections of scripture. I love to preach from it, always expositorily (of course), noting especially the transitions (which I believe set the basis on which to answer your question)…
~ The disciples’ excitement in relating the story of the revelation of the Risen Lord on the Emmaus road and apparently how He suddenly vanished (vr. 35, cf. vss. 28-31)
~ Their frightened surprise when He suddenly reappeared in their presence (vr. 36-37)
~ His self-declaration in the evidence of His body (vr. 38-40, bringing to mind the doubt of Thomas, John 20:25ff),
~ His almost casual, “So, what do you have in the ‘Fridge?”–and the amazing spectacle of Him eating in His risen Body (vss. 41-43; but apparently His body was still not glorified, cp. vs. 26 [“before entering into His glory”] with John 20:17–the same body He invited Thomas to explore in settling his doubt, John 20:25ff; a reference to His ascension and reception at the Right Hand of the Father, as prophesied by David, cf. Acts 2:32-35),
~ His recounting the explicit words spoken to them during His personal ministry and then to the two on the road to Emmaus (vss. 44-47, cf. with vss. 26-27), referencing scriptures He openly clarified and expounded for them, vr. 32, cf. vr. 45, a parenthesis referring to His exposition [Gr. dianoio] on the road, which they affirm in vr. 32),
~ His declaration of the specific qualification of His apostles (vr. 48, concerning which see Acts 1:22),
~ His command to them to remain in Jerusalem (vr. 49), to which He attaches the specific promise of the Holy Spirit (Luke records this event with even more specificity in Acts 1:4-5 and citing (1) what the Father had promised, (2) Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak. [cf. John 14:16, 26; 15:26.], and (3) which He now declares expicitly concerning ~their~ baptism in the Holy Spirit (cf. also Matthew 3:11).
Your question is “What I struggle with is recognizing the ‘power from heaven’ I am to receive when I received the Holly Spirit. Do I just not recognize it? Is it different today?”
I would suggest two things:
1. That the Holy Spirit is given to the redeemed (John 7:39) in anticipation–as an earnest and guarantee of the final blessing to be received (Ephesians 1:13-14), is abundantly clear. While some declare its evidence is speaking in tongues, which I hold was a temporary and partial evidence of Divine approval, in anticipation of the full and complete manifestation of the Divine will in His word, the Bible (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:8ff). For the redeemed until the Lord returns, the evidence is in the Spirit’s fruit, as you so abundantly show in your dealings with others;
2. The promise of Luke 24 and the Lord’s words cited again by Luke in Acts 1 concern remaining in Jerusalem and waiting for the promised Holy Spirit, are words given, not to you or me, but to the apostles, in preparation of the gospel being preached, beginning in that city. Of course, Acts 2 shows the fulfillment of that promise, which was also the specific fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2.
I ~LOVE~ your blog! Peace from our Heavenly Father, through His only begotten Son, upon you and all who love His appearing.