SURREY CHAPEL – Fellowship Group Notes for the 28th/ 29th September 2011
LUKE – Jesus, Son of Man

Chapter 24:1-32 Empty tomb

The most perplexing question for those who deny Jesus’ resurrection is –‘What became of His body?’ If His enemies stole it –they would have produced it to discredit the apostles. If His friend had taken it away, they would have done so in His burial cloth. However, these burial clothes were all left behind, in an orderly fashion –with the evidence that there had been no violence or haste. HE HAS RISEN! What a day.
If you are expecting to read an account of the resurrection – you’ll be disappointed –it had already happened. What you will read is of peoples’ response – slow to believe – not as they expected.

MORNING   v 1 – 12		
The witness of the women –    v 1 - 8
v1-3	Read 23v55-56 Notice here again Luke’s careful descriptions. Why did the women come to the tomb? What is the first thing they notice (v2)? What does that mean? How would they have felt (v3)?
v4-5	Does the empty tomb give them hope? While they are considering the situation – God intervenes through two angels (see v23). This frightens the women –and the question put to them gives them something to ponder further. How does that speak to or challenge our lives today?
Note –‘the living’ one –not ‘the risen’ one. Compare Revelation 1v18
v6-7	‘Remember’ – how often the Lord says that to us- especially as we read His word. Notice –it is what Jesus told them, they are to remember (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31 & Luke 9:22). It was the angels who reminded them of the exact words of Jesus. (1 Peter 1v12 – ending of that verse)
v8	They remembered –but did they believe them? John Blanchard says, the morning for the women was one of devotion and doubt.
The witness of the disciples  v 9 - 12
v9-10	Notice what they told (all) –and to whom they told these things. After such a ‘tragedy’ of seeing Jesus crucified they all stuck together. Luke gives the names of some of the women. See here –the eleven are now called ‘apostles’ –although they were not yet ‘sent’ –but still disciples and learners.
v11	Isn’t it amazing? Why did they not believe? They now had the evidence and Jesus’ words.
v12	Good old Peter –straight into action – must find out for himself. Why? 
John 21:3-9 gives the fuller picture of Peter and John’s visit –and who immediately believed.

AFTERNOON  v 13 – 32	
The witness of two followers – Cleopas and one un-named
v13-14	A good time to talk. Then comes the ‘glorious intruder’ as Joni calls Him (v15)
v15	Jesus is always there at the right moment – even if we are not aware if it (v16)
v17-18	How would describe their attitude and response?
v19-24	How helpful to have someone to unburden your hearts and feelings to. Who better than Jesus!
Were they full of hope with the evidences so far? (they ‘had hoped’ v21)
v25-27	How important is Jesus’ response? What does He major on? Why?
v28-32	Who takes the initiative (v29)? Who now takes charge (v30)? 
Results –‘opened eyes’ and ‘opened Scriptures’

These two had such a confirming ‘heart warming’ experience of the risen Christ –that all they could do was to go back to Jerusalem that same evening and tell. On fire for the Lord!
Are we as anxious to tell others about our risen, living Saviour?

PRAYER TOPICS:
JAM Club –meeting fortnightly on Fridays
Pastor Tom and Assistant Pastor Gary
Pray for other Fellowship Groups