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Sermon #187 Luke Sermons
Title: “Behold My Hands” Text: Luke 24:36-53 Subject: The Hands of Christ our Savior Date: Sunday Evening — February 25, 2007 Tape # Z-20b Readings: Larry Criss and James Jordan Introduction:
Several women, who were disciples of our Lord, got up early in the morning and came to the tomb where the Lord Jesus had been buried. They were bringing spices they had prepared for the body of their beloved Master. But when they arrived at the tomb, “they found the stone rolled away,” and saw that the Lord’s body was gone. Then two angels appeared to them and said, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.” Immediately, they ran back into the city with the good news of the Lord’s resurrection. But when they told the apostles what they had seen and heard, “their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not” (v. 11).
That same day two of the disciples left Jerusalem to go to Emmaus. As they walked along the Emmaus road, they discussed the events of the past three days. · The Last Supper · The Lord’s Discourse (John 14-16) · The Lord’s Prayer (John 17) · Gethsemane · The Betrayal · The Arrest · The Trial · The Crucifixion · The Report of The Resurrection
As they walked along the way discussing these things, the Lord Jesus drew near and walked with them. But they did not recognize him. In verse 17 he asked them, — “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” Then Cleopas explained to him why they were so perplexed (vv. 18-24).
(Luke 24:18-24) “And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? (19) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: (20) And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. (21) But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (22) Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; (23) And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. (24) And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.”
Then the Lord explained the Scriptures to them, telling them how that all the law and prophets spoke of him (vv. 25-27).
(Luke 24:25-27) “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (26) Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (27) And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
When they got to Emmaus, the Lord went in to have supper with them. As he prayed at the table, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then he vanished out of their sight. The two disciples then looked at each other, and said, “Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (v.32)
Immediately, these two men went back to Jerusalem and found the apostles and their brethren and told them all they had seen and heard. As they talked, suddenly, the Lord Jesus appeared in their midst, and said, “Peace be unto you” (v. 36). Let’s read the rest of the chapter together, beginning at verse 36.
(Luke 24:36-53) “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (37) But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. (38) And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (39) Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (40) And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. (41) And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? (42) And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. (43) And he took it, and did eat before them. (44) And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, (46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (50) And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”
What a gracious Savior Christ is! Here he is, standing in the midst of his disciples, who just three days earlier had all shamefully forsaken him. One had denied him three times. All of them had been backsliders and cowards. Yet, when our Lord stood in the midst of these men, there was not a word of rebuke, not a tinge of anger, not even an indication of disapproval. Calmly, lovingly, graciously, our Lord said, “Peace be unto you!”
It is as though the Lord, freshly risen from the grave, had said, “Your sins are all forgiven. My blood has washed them all away. I will not charge you with sin.” Truly, the love of Christ is a love that surpasses all knowledge. It is his glory to pass over our iniquities, pardon our sins, and hide our transgressions. He “delighteth in mercy.” In his infinite heart there is an infinite willingness to forgive sin. He is more willing to forgive than we are to seek forgiveness.
Our all-glorious, ever-gracious Christ says to his fallen, sinful people, “Peace be unto you.” Where is the sinner who needs to fear such a Savior? In the hand of Christ there is mercy enough and to spare. He says, “Fury is not in me” (Isaiah 27:4). Christ is willing to save. Christ is willing to forgive. Christ is willing to restore the fallen. We who are so freely forgiven ought to love our dear Savior, and willingly render to him the obedience of our hearts. And surely we, who have been so freely forgiven, will freely forgive our brethren. Those who follow the Prince of Peace will be peaceable themselves, gentle, kind, charitable, and forgiving. Forgiven sinners are forgiving sinners.
Yet, as the Lord Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples, they were terrified. Even then they did not believe. Yet, still, he was gracious. He tenderly condescended to minister to their weakness and infirmity. He said, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” (v. 38) He might justly have scolded them and said, “Where is your faith? Why do you refuse to believe me, even when I stand before you?” But that is not his way. Instead of dealing harshly with his children, our Savior gently stretched out his arms, and said, “Behold my hands.” I do not know whether I can do anything with this subject or not; but, if I can with you, this day, behold his hands, there is much that can and shall be done for us!
Proposition: If we can by faith behold the hands of our Savior, His hands will remove our doubts, assure our hearts, and give us peace.
Divisions: Our Savior says to you and me, “Behold My Hands!” These are…
1. The hands of our Sovereign. 2. The hands of our Surety. 3. The hands of our Substitute. 4. The hands of our Security. 5. The hands of our Solace. 6. The hands of our Salvation.
Our Sovereign
Try to picture the Lord Jesus Christ standing before his trembling, terrified, unbelieving disciples. Try to picture him standing before your own troubled heart. He says to us, “Behold my hands.” These are the hands that made the world. They are the hands of our Sovereign God and Savior (Psalm 95:3-6).
(Psalms 95:3-6) “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. (4) In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. (5) The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. (6) O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”
He who is my Savior has got the whole world in his hands. So, why should I be afraid? What is the cause for my unbelief? Is anything too hard for the Lord? We only fear when we look to our hands! — “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens…When I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained: what is man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:1-3). — Behold the hands of Christ, our sovereign Lord.
These are the hands that made the world (Psalm 19:1-6).
(Psalms 19:1-6) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. (2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. (3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, (5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (6) His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”
The most absurd, foolish philosophy in the world is the philosophy of evolution. These learned idiots tell us that all the rare beauty, wonder and precise order of heaven and earth simply evolved by chance. Yet, these same men, with all their science, technology and art combined cannot even figure out a way to make a wiggling worm or a pesky gnat! — “To create requires infinite power. All the world cannot make a fly” (Thomas Watson).
NOTE: Jesus Christ is not a creature of God. He is God the Creator (John 1:1-3).
(John 1:1-3) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”
Behold the Man upon the throneWho rules in heaven, earth, and hell: That Man is Christ, our Savior God, His throne should all our fears dispel.
These are the hands that rule the world (John 3:35).
(John 3:35) “The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.”
My friends, Jesus Christ our God and Savior sovereignly rules all things. As Stephen Charnock said, “To be God and sovereign are inseparable.” Everything is absolutely dependent upon and controlled by the will and power of God. The beginning and the end of all things is God.
Our Savior’s sovereign control of all things as God should control our hearts and give us peace, contentment and joy in all things.
The hands of our Savior who made all things and rules all things, with total sovereignty, are also the hands that rule all things for the eternal good of our souls (Romans 8:28). — “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Since all the downward tracks of timeGod’s watchful eye surveys, Oh, who so wise to choose our lot, And regulate our days?
Good, when He gives, supremely good! Nor less when He denies: Even crosses from His sovereign hand Are blessings in disguise.
Since none can doubt His matchless love, Immeasurably kind, To His unerring, gracious will Be every wish resigned.
Our Surety
“Behold, my hands.” These are the hands of our sovereign God; and these are the hands of our covenant Surety and Good Shepherd(John 10:27-28).
(John 10:27-28) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
This is my security, my satisfaction, and my assurance before God — I am in his hands!
As our Surety and our Good Shepherd the Lord Jesus assumed total responsibility for our souls from everlasting. The shepherd alone is responsible for the sheep (John 6:37-40).
(John 6:37-40) “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (40) And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The Lion of the tribe of Judah said, from old eternity, “I will be Surety for them” (Genesis 43:9); and God the Father laid upon him all responsibility for our souls.
Our Substitute
“Behold my hands.” Can you see them? These are the hands of our blessed Substitute (Psalm 22:14-16).
(Psalms 22:14-16) “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. (15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (16) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
In a sense we all ought to be like Thomas. The other disciple said, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25). Each one must see Christ for himself. By God’s grace, I do see in his hands the wounds of my Substitute (Isaiah 53:4-6).
(Isaiah 53:4-6) “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (5) But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Do you see those wounds in his hands? Can you hear them speaking to your heart?
Behold His hands, and hear them speak, “I freely all forgive, These wounds were for your ransom made, I died that you might live!”
As I behold the wounds in the hands of my glorious Substitute, I am convinced of these four things:
· The justice of God is fully satisfied (Galatians 3:13). · My sins are completely removed from me (Hebrews 9:26). · The Son of God loves me (1 John 3:16). · I shall never perish (1 John 2:1-2).
Five bleeding wounds he bears, Received on Calvary, They pour effectual prayers, They strongly plead for me. Forgive him, O forgive they cry, Nor let that ransomed sinner die!
Our Security
Are you terrified by your own weakness, insufficiency, and sin? Does Satan sometimes whisper in your ear, “You are sinking, you will prove a hypocrite at last, you will soon be mine”? Are you afraid? The Savior says, “Behold My Hands!” These are the hands of our security (Matthew 14:25-31).
(Matthew 14:25-31) “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. (26) And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. (28) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. (29) And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (30) But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”
When Peter was walking to the Savior across the calm waters of the early morning, all was well. He felt so good. But when he saw the storm approaching, he was terrified and began to sink. Then he cried, “Lord, save me…And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him.”
On the sea of life there are so many storms that arise. The waves are high. The wind is strong. The clouds are so heavy. I sometimes think I will surely fail, and that my vessel will be wrecked. But just when I think I am sinking, He stretches forth his hand and catches me! Then all is well. Did he not say, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee…I will strengthen thee; yes, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”? Children of God, we are safe and secure in his hands all the time. He will keep you from falling!
When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me; When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me; When the world is tossing me, Like a ship upon the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water, Stand by me.
In the midst of tribulation, Stand by me; In the midst of tribulation, Stand by me; When the hosts of hell assail, And my strength begins to fail, Thou who never lost a battle, Stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, Stand by me; When I’m growing old and feeble, Stand by me; When my life becomes a burden, And I’m nearing chilly Jordan, O Thou “Lily of the Valley”, Stand by me.
Our Solace
Is your heart troubled and your mind perplexed? Listen our Savior’s gentle reproof. — “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My Hands.” These are the hands of our solace. These are the hands of blessing and consolation (Luke 24:50; Mark 10:13-16).
(Luke 24:50) “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.”
(Mark 10:13-16) “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. (14) But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (15) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. (16) And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
“Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God; believe also in me.” Behold the Savior’s hands, and see how he blesses his children! — “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee” (Psalm 65:4). — “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:8).
(Matthew 5:1-12) “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: (2) And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
Here is a word of solace for God’s children. — The hands that chasten us are the hands that bless us and make us whole. — “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty; for he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole” (Job 5:16-17).
Here is a word of solace for God’s servants. Every true servant of God is in the hands of Christ. — “He had in his right hand seven stars…The seven stars are the angels (pastors) of the seven churches” (Revelation 1:16, 20).
Our Salvation
Children of God, our Savior stretches out his arms to us and says, “Behold My Hands.” These are the hands of our Sovereign, the hands of our Surety, the hands of our Substitute, the hands of our security, and the hands of our solace. And there is a word here for you who are yet the children of wrath. Sinner, by the preaching of the gospel, the Son of God stretches out his arms to you, and says, “Behold My Hands.” They are the hands of our Salvation!
(Isaiah 59:1) “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:”
I am calling for you to trust your soul to the hands of Christ. He is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by him. Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by him.
· Christ is the Way — Without him there’s no going. · Christ is the Truth — Without him there’s no knowing. · Christ is the Life — Without him there’s no living.
The Lord Jesus Christ stands before our poor, needy souls in the gospel as one full of tenderness, with mercy in his hands, and love in his heart. Believe him. Oh, believe him! He is a great Savior, the great Savior of great sinners. He is a great Forgiver! Trust him, and you will find your transgressions put away and your sins pardoned forever. There’s mercy in his hands and grace in his command. — “Come unto me!”
The Son of God says, “Behold my hands.” — Trust and be not afraid. But, let all refuse to trust him tremble. These are the hands of him who shall execute judgment in the last day. It is written — “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
· Behold his hands, and worship him! · Behold his hands, and return to your home with great joy, praising and blessing God.
Your pierced hands, O blessed Savior, are the instruments of new creation, the source of all blessings, the symbol of redemption, forgiveness grace and salvation, — the display of your infinite love for us. Let us, now and forever, behold your hands with gratitude, confident faith, and joy.
Amen.
Don Fortner
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