Luke 24

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened..."

"13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him..."

"Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."


This story still amazes me, and it can be viewed from 2 different aspects. The people's attitude toward Jesus, and the attitude Jesus allows the people to have towards Him. They may seem contradictory to each other, but they actually support each other. This passage also shows us why Peter is valued more by Jesus than others.

On one hand, it's His disciples' disbelief in what has happened to Jesus (vs. 11, 25, 38). Even though Jesus had been with them and told them what is to happen, they still did not believe when the prophesy is being fulfilled before their eyes (vs. 25-27, 44). No wonder Jesus rejected the Pharisees and the teachers of the law's request to see a miraculous sign and instead answered them, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah" (Matthew 12:38,39). No signs will be given to them because even if it was given to them, and they see it happen before them, they will still not believe. This is very much like what is happening in this chapter. Even though Jesus is before them in person, they still doubt what is happening, and doubt what Jesus has told them before concerning the prophesy of His resurrection. Do we also do the same sometimes?

On the other hand, Peter stood out among the disciples. Instead of doubting the women's report, Peter was the only one who ran to the tomb. Verse 12 especially started with, 'But', to set Peter apart from those who did not believe. This incident once again puts Peter in the spotlight, very much like when he walked on water towards Jesus. That although Peter had his moments of weakness when he saw the waves around him, and when he denies Jesus; but deep within, Peter is the one who constantly reaches out to Jesus. That even with his moments of weakness, Jesus especially chose Peter to be responsible for His lamb and sheep. It is indeed true that God looks at the heart (1 Peter 3:4) if we would only give our heart to Him. He will help us overcome our weaknesses.

Lastly, it is interesting that the chapter seem to tell us that Jesus is the one who restrained the people from knowing Him (vs. 16). That without Jesus opening their eyes, the disciples are not able to comprehend what is happening (vs. 31, 45). This lets us know that it is truly the mercy of God that we are able to comprehend the mysteries of God and His Word. That without His help, we will be as blind as Cleopas, who is not able to know that Jesus is standing before Him. That even after having followed Jesus for so long, His own disciples are still not able to understand what He spoke to them while He was with them. With the grace of God, He opened our eyes and our heart to Him. Granted, all of these people do care about Jesus, since they took the time to discuss the events concerning Jesus. And Jesus loved them for that. At the end, they worshiped Him, returned to Jerusalem to wait for the Promise from above, and continually praising and blessing God. What a beautiful ending for those who care about God, that even in the midst of their weaknesses, they were given mercy and grace.