Luke was a doctor and a keen historian. He wrote his first book about Jesus in the “Gospel of Luke” but then follows up with a sequel known as the “Acts of the Apostles”. He is writing to his friend Theophilus about Jesus. Notice in these verses:-

1 – The death of Jesus was not the end

Luke is an eye-witness to the events. He has already accounted that Jesus had by a miracle risen from the dead. Luke has to write a second book as the story is far from over. He had been seen by some witnesses but not by many of the disciples. The resurrection was not the end of the story. Jesus was seen by many witnesses for over a month. History and his story are never more important.

2 – This was no ghost or apparition

Jesus stays around to talk, teach and encourage his followers until the time of Pentecost. He eats with them. He was in a spiritual body but not as we might understand it. He was in nature like an angel. He could appear or disappear. He could eat or not eat. It is a great mystery. It is not something that is man-made.

3 – Countdown to Pentecost

The disciples can’t just go charging off to tell everyone Jesus has risen from the dead; they had already either deserted or doubted Him. They were in need before the Church could be born.

• Teaching
• Presence
• Power

Categories: Acts