Bible Study (6) – All About JESUS (6) – Luke 24:44-53 – April 7, 2024

Focus scripture is Luke 24:44-53

The truth about JESUS is too big to keep to ourselves. Salvation has eternal rewards.

In Luke 24:25-27: ²⁵ He (JESUS) said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow^[f] to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. 

Often, we overlook the obvious. JESUS was walking and talking to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, after HIS resurrection, as recorded in Luke 24: ²⁵ He (JESUS) said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow^[f] to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. WOW!!! I would love to hear JESUS teach about these things. Well, we can. When we study GOD’S Word, The HOLY SPIRIT gives us understanding and comprehension as we study scripture.

Often, preconceived notions cause us to lean on our own understanding and block the revelations which come from the HOLY SPIRIT!

JESUS is preparing to ascend into Heaven and HE is giving those present a parting Bible lesson which is as much for us today and for them at that moment. Let’s explore! JESUS’ parting words to all who desire to build a solid Scripture based foundation built upon truth. 

Let’s read Luke 24:44-45:

⁴⁴ He (JESUS) told them (those assembled), “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” ⁴⁵ Then he (JESUS) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (JESUS opened their minds because HE had not sent the Holy Spirit. Since Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell every true Spirit-born believer to teach, reveal truth, come along the side of all who believe in JESUS, grant the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as GOD chooses, confirm truth and so much more.)

Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible. Then the other authors of the Old Testament are the Prophets, and Psalms, all were inspired inspired by GOD. The New Testament was written by those inspired by the Holy Spirit and compiled into 66-books. (39 Books in the Old Testament and 27 Books in the New Testament.)

Brief History of compiling the current 66-Books of the Bible:

Eventually, Christian church leaders worldwide gathered to answer major questions, including which books should be regarded as "Scripture." These gatherings included the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 and the First Council of Constantinople in A.D. 381, which decided a book should be included in the Bible if it was:

• Written by one of Jesus' disciples, someone who was a witness to Jesus' ministry, such as Peter, or someone who interviewed witnesses, such as Luke.
• Written in the first century A.D., meaning that books written long after the events of Jesus' life and the first decades of the church weren't included.
• Consistent with other portions of the Bible known to be valid, meaning the book couldn't contradict a trusted element of Scripture.

After a few decades of debate, these councils settled which books should be included in the Bible. A few years later, all were published by Jerome in a single volume.

By the time, the first century A.D. ended, most of the church had agreed on which books should be considered Scripture. The earliest church members took guidance from the writings of Peter, Paul, Matthew, John, Luke, James and others. The later councils and debates were useful in weeding out inferior books that claimed the same authority.

JESUS cited three sources, Moses, Prophets, and Psalms. These three sources are foundational regarding the Messiah and can be trusted regarding the building of our faith in JESUS as the promised Messiah. JESUS was and is the promised Messiah, which we can confirm by studying these sources which were available to the scribes and priests.

The Apostle Paul teaches on the building materials Christians use to build on the solid foundation of faith in JESUS, as we read in 1 Corinthians 3:9-17:

⁹ For we are God’s coworkers.^[c] You are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ According to God’s grace that was given to me (Paul), I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder,^[d] and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down (JESUS CHRIST and HIS righteousness.) JESUS was and is GOD’S only perfect acceptable sacrifice to annihilate sin. Annihilate means to obliterate or completely destroy.

In JESUS, you are a new creation. A new person bound for Heaven. In the meantime, while we are upon earth, those who have been Spirit-born confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, seek the power of the Holy Spirit to keep on, keeping on as we obediently serve our LORD, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. AMEN!!!

That foundation is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he (The Spirit-born person) has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

¹⁶ Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? ¹⁷ If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.

Go back and consider the foundational materials, we as Christian’s use, as we serve GOD and reflect JESUS in our walk, as directed by the Holy Spirit.

Notice that the materials Christians use to build their Spiritual foundation consists of materials which will burn and others which will not be consumed in a fire. Which do you think will survive the test of fire and those that won’t? Keep in mind these are Christians building on the foundation already laid by JESUS.

Gold is our reflection of CHRIST as we serve in GOD’S vineyard (Earth). It is likely that we never know when we earn a gold reward. The key is we who know CHRIST, as our SAVIOR, do something that reflects HIM, we earn a gold reward. It does not have to be something big, but it could be a sweet smile that blesses a person who is having a bad day.

Silver is our salvation and the salvation of others we may be instrumental in leading to a saving knowledge of JESUS. Again, our reflection of CHRIST can lead a person seeking JESUS to accept JESUS as his/her Savior e.g., Gold and Silver.

Precious stones – Knowledge of GOD’S WORD, THE Bible. Knowing and applying GOD’S Word earns precious stones that stand up when tested by fire.

So where does this consuming fire come from? Let’s read on ---

Christians also build with wood, hay, and straw.

Wood which are the things we think are grand and glorious, but they honor the person and not GOD.

Hay is the money we earn or make. We decide where it goes and how it is to be used.

Straw is what is left over after the hay has been cut and can be referred to as stubble. After a believer has bought and done all he/she desires to do, what is left over is given to GOD. GOD desires the first fruits.

When all of these foundational materials are tested by fire, which do you think will survive the fire?

Notice in verse ¹³ each one’s work will become obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. ¹⁴ If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience^[e] loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire.

The person himself/herself will be saved. But guess what survives? The person’s salvation, which is a silver reward and other rewards – Gold and/or precious stones.

The disciples of JESUS wrote about their journey with JESUS, and we can learn from their experiences. Christianity is all about each one teaches one and living what we teach.

Let’s read Luke 24:46-49:

⁴⁶ He (JESUS) also said to them, “This is what is written:^[h] The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and repentance for^[I] forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things.

⁴⁹ And look, I am sending you^[j] what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city^[k] until you are empowered^[l] from on high.”

What was JESUS telling those who were present? The power you will receive will be from GOD!

Remain in Jerusalem to receive what MY FATHER, GOD, promised. FATHER GOD was sending a guarantee to all who accept JESUS as their Savior and that is the HOLY SPIRIT.

We can read all about it in Acts 1 and 2. It is an informative read. Because if you have asked JESUS to come into your heart, The Holy Spirit is within you and is your guarantee of eternal life. Plus, when the Holy Spirit comes into your life, HE gives you at least one or more Spiritual Gifts.

Let’s read Luke 24:48-53:

⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. ⁴⁹ And look, I am sending you^[j] what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city^[k] until you are empowered^[l] from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ Then he led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ And while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they were continually in the temple praising God.

Blessings!!!