The word “commission” is defined in Dictionary.com as “the act of committing or entrusting a person, group, etc., with supervisory power or authority. An authoritative order, charge, or direction. Authority granted for a particular action or function. A document granting such authority.” When we hear this definition, we should be reminded that God has commissioned all believers in this same manner. With this understanding, let’s look at how Jesus begins to lead His followers to understand this commission. As you study or prepare to lead the Explore theBible Study: Commissions, consider whether you are faithfully fulling the commission that has been granted to you by Jesus Christ.

Prior to this passage in Luke, chapter 24, the two followers who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus returned to Jerusalem with their hearts on fire because they had just spent hours in conversation with the risen Christ. They were so excited that they returned to the place that posed danger – Jerusalem. They found other followers so they could share their resurrection story. As they were telling their story, something happened that would change everyone’s life forever – Jesus appeared before them and began to completely reveal His purpose for coming. With Jesus’ appearing, He began to prepare them for their commissioning.

First, Jesus offers them peace – Luke 24:36-38

Can you envision being in the room and hearing the reports of Jesus’ return from the dead? Imagine the uncertainty, doubt, and questions. Even as the momentum of His appearances was increasing, the idea that Jesus was alive was hard to accept. John 20:26 tells us that the doors were locked to this room because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders; yet, suddenly, Jesus appeared! It’s no wonder they were afraid. It makes logical sense that many of them thought they saw a spirit. They needed to hear His words, peace to you.

Notice Jesus asked two questions in Luke 24:38 – Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? We know why these followers were troubled and had doubts but what about believers today?

• What might cause you to be troubled?
• What might cause you to have doubts?

Jesus didn’t just tell them they should be at peace. We all realize that just telling someone they should have peace doesn’t mean they will, even if the directions come from Jesus. Jesus not only told them they should be at peace, but He revealed something that should give them peace.

Second, Jesus demonstrates His humanity – Luke 24:41-43

Third, Jesus reminds them of His Divinity before commissioning them – Luke 24:44-47

Without His death and resurrection, centuries of prophetic utterance would be in vain. More importantly, without His death and resurrection, Jesus’ life would have been a lie, and we would remain in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).  When Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, they realized that a crucified and raised Messiah was not an adjustment in God’s plan but was God’s plan all along. There need no longer be an obstacle between humanity and God because of sin, and the stage was set for repentance for forgiveness of sins to be proclaimed to all nations!

Finally comes these disciples (and our) commission in Luke 24:48-49

The video below should serve as a reminder that you are sent into a lost world to share to show the Good News of Jesus.

Have you ever had a lightbulb moment? Lightbulb moments are those “aha” moments when something finally makes sense, when a solution is finally realized, or when an idea is suddenly given. While we are beneficiaries and are inspired by others' lightbulb moments, it is nothing like the lightbulb moment that comes when one realizes that he/she has encountered Jesus Christ! We see an example of this in the Explore the Bible Study: Revealed, when two men had an encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to a little town called Emmaus. 

Luke tells us that women who had gone to the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body with burial spices found an empty tomb and received an amazing message to share with the apostles – Jesus was alive! After the women delivered the message to the apostles regarding Jesus’ resurrection, Peter (and John) ran to the tomb to see for himself and left amazed at what had happened. (Matthew 24:12)

But not everyone who heard the resurrection announcement could grasp what had taken place. We are introduced to two followers of Jesus who had left after the resurrection announcement and were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about a seven mile walk of about three to four hours over uneven terrain.  While they were with the larger group when Mary and the other women reported the empty tomb, they were not members of the Eleven surviving apostles. 

Luke helps us understand how the events of the past days had affected these two men in Luke 24:13-17: Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they were prevented from recognizing Him.  17 Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.

They were discouraged and confused by the events of the past days, as we would probably be as well.  As always, Jesus stepped in at just the right time to bring clarity to all they had experienced. The lessons they would learn on this road to Emmaus would lead to their “lightbulb moment” with Jesus, changing their lives forever. This should remind us of how Jesus helps us when we are discouraged, confused, or distraught over things that might be challenging or shattering our faith.

Lessons for When you are Discouraged, Confused, or Distraught

We should RECALL all we have seen and heard - Luke 24:18-24

One can only imagine the discouragement these two disciples felt as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. After joining them as they walked toward Emmaus, Jesus led them to RECALL all the incredible things they had seen and heard while being with Him. This would lay a foundation for what was to come next in Jesus’ dialogue with these two men. 

Recalling what we have seen and heard about Jesus is vital to remaining strong in our faith.  However, we shouldn’t just RECALL what we have seen and heard, but we should also REMEMBER what we have learned about Jesus.

We should REMEMBER what we have learned about Jesus from God's Word - Luke 24:25-27

Jesus took His companions on a tour of Scripture, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. They had heard these passages in the synagogue, but the texts needed to be interpreted for them. From Genesis through Malachi, the story of the Messiah is laid out, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

We, too, need to REMEMBER that all Truth is contained in God’s Word and, in the proper time, God will call it to our memory if we have studied it. We can’t remember what we haven’t learned. The lessons these two followers had learned from God’s Word would bring them to the lightbulb moment for their faith.

We should RECOGNIZE that Jesus is always with us - Luke 24:28-31

Two Actions Leading Peter to His Denial of Christ - Luke 22:54-55

Following Christ at a distance.

• What actions might demonstrate that you are following Jesus at a distance today?
• Can you identify ways in which the pandemic might tempt you to follow Jesus at a distance?
• How does distancing oneself from Jesus increase the probability of unfaithfulness?
• How can you avoid “distancing” yourself from Jesus?

Sitting among the crowd.

The pronoun "they" in verse 55 refers to the main body of temple guards and servants who brought Jesus to the high priest’s complex. Peter was able to enter the priest’s courtyard because another disciple, whom most scholars identify as John, was known to the high priest and came in with Jesus. Seeing Peter standing outside the door, John spoke to the female slave who kept the door and brought Peter into the courtyard (John 18:15-16). The authorities, and perhaps two or three guards, took Jesus further into the complex to meet Annas and then Caiaphas. The other members of the mob sat down together around the fire and Peter joined them.

• What are the dangers of Christians attempting to blend in with an unbelieving crowd? 
• What justifications do some believers today use in an effort to excuse their attempts to blend into the crowd? Do you believe these justifications are legitimate? Why or why not?
• What are the dangers of you trying to blend in with an unbelieving crowd?

Sooner or later you will have to publicly declare your faith - Luke 22:56-60a

Jesus and Peter's response to sin - Luke 22:60b-62

What About You?