Can anything be certain in life? Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, “But, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” Yet we go throughout our day with varying degrees of certainty about many things. You’re probably pretty certain that your alarm clock will go off in the morning, so that you can make it to work on time. You’re probably reasonably certain that your car will start and get you safely down the road. On your way to the office, you might stop at Scooters, order a coffee, and pay with your card. You’re fairly certain that the transaction will go through. 

Your level of certainty is based on personal experience or perhaps on the observed experience of others. One can board an airplane with a high degree of certainty because there are over 45,000 flights a day without incident. Certainty is the quality of being reliably true.

In the previous episode of our salvation story, a group of women reported that they had gone to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid, but it was empty. What’s more, they claimed to have seen angelic messengers who told them that Jesus had been raised from the dead. Peter didn’t believe their story, so he went to see for himself. He verified that the tomb was indeed empty, and he left pondering if it really could be that Jesus was alive. How could he and all the other disciples be certain?

To answer this question, Luke tells one of the longest and most detailed post-resurrection accounts. Jesus appears to two of his disciples on the road to Emmaus, a village about 7 miles north of Jerusalem. Initially, we read that the disciples are kept from recognizing Jesus. But he then reveals himself to them, first explaining to them the Scriptures, and then through the breaking of bread together. 

Luke uses this episode to demonstrate how we all may have certainty about the things that we’ve been taught concerning Jesus. We increase our own certainty by immersing ourselves in the Bible and through the fellowship of the local church.

Though quickly becoming a thing of the past, supermarket tabloids used to entertain shoppers with sensational headlines like, “Woman Gives Birth to Lizard Baby After Mystery Encounter,” or “Scientists Find Evidence of Atlantis… At the Bottom of Lake Superior,” or “Man Claims His Toaster Can Predict Lottery Numbers.” Today, you no longer have to buy a copy of the National Enquirer to read such headlines. Just scroll your Facebook feed for news that requires the suspension of disbelief. 

In the previous episode of our salvation story, Joseph of Arimathea had taken Jesus’ body down from the cross and laid it in a tomb. A group of women prepared some spices and ointments for his burial. But as we continue to read, when they arrived at the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week, they were surprised to find the stone rolled away and Jesus’ body no longer there. 

While they were theorizing about what could have possibly happened, two angels appeared and delivered a mind-blowing message. “He is not here, but has risen.” A dead man rising from the dead is completely contrary to any rational thought. Yet the bodily resurrection of Jesus is foundational to the entire Christian religion. Is this just some fictitious tale?

Our author, Luke, demonstrates that the disciples were not gullible, wide-eyed fanatics looking to invent a story. In fact, they were hesitant to believe, which reinforces the credibility of their report. Pausing, investigating, and verifying the claims of such a dramatic, history-altering event gives insight into the nature of Biblical faith. We should all look and see for ourselves that these things are true.

Family friends recently buried a loved one at Arlington National Cemetery. Such a ceremony follows a respectful and solemn protocol. Mourners participate in a formal procession, seated in designated areas according to relation and then rank. Next, a military honor guard will carefully and ceremoniously fold the flag, which is then presented to the next of kin. Finally, a gun detail fires off three volleys in rapid, synchronized succession. With the heaviness of the shots still hanging in the air, taps is played by a bugler. The ceremony is marked by dignity and respect, honoring the service and sacrifice of the individual.

Continuing in our salvation story, we read about the burial of Jesus. Luke gives an in-depth description of the character of those who attended to Jesus’ body. They were devout, morally upright people who treated him with care and respect. Though Jesus died like a criminal, he would be buried like a king.  

Luke presents Joseph of Arimathea and the women who followed Jesus from Galilee as model disciples. We are all called to honor Jesus’ sacrifice by being pious people. 

What are some symbols of strength? There is the iconic Atlas from Greek mythology holding up the earth. There is the bull on Wall Street that symbolizes financial optimism, prosperity, and a strong economy. The eagle has symbolized strength, courage, freedom, and authority across various cultures, including here in America, as well as ancient Rome. 

The cross is the most precious symbol in the Christian religion. However, it is no symbol of strength. Rather, it was an instrument of suffering and shame. 

As we continue reading in our salvation story, we see Jesus in his weakest, most vulnerable moment. Yet, paradoxically, in the midst of his humiliation are unexpected feats of divine strength.

Luke records four unique statements not included in the other crucifixion accounts that reveal Jesus was no helpless victim of unjust suffering. He was more than a martyr. He was who he claimed to be. Jesus was King, with the power to save.

As disciples, we are called to take up our own cross and follow Jesus. It is in our weakness that we display true Christ-crucified strength.

Humans are often terrible judges of what we truly want, frequently prioritizing immediate gratification over long-term well-being. Our choices are often guided by intuition and external influences rather than rational thought. In contrast, Jesus has a fundamentally different approach to power, which isn't about control or self-promotion, but about the ability to transform people through self-emptying love. This is exemplified by his rejection by the people, who chose an insurrectionist over him, preferring a path of fighting back rather than loving enemies. Ultimately, Jesus creates a new way to be human: because Jesus took our place, we are free to live a Spirit-filled life—a life characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness, rather than being driven by selfish desires or political power.

This week, the Major League Baseball playoffs began with a series between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. These teams have a long shared history, passionate fans, and geographic proximity that fuel an us vs them mentality.

Rivalries don’t just exist in sports. There are sibling rivalries that sometimes produce feelings of jealousy and charges of favoritism. There are religious rivalries, Catholic versus Protestant. Of course, there are political rivalries, back and forth between the R’s and the D’s. Some are even passionate about their brand of truck, Ford versus Chevy.

In the previous episode of our salvation story, Jesus was subjected to a sham trial at the hands of the religious leaders who convicted him of blasphemy. We now read that they brought Jesus before the civil authorities, who had the power to put him to death. But the charges changed. The trial hinged on Jesus’ controversial claim to be king. Though historic rivals, both the religious and civil authorities came together against the Lord and His Anointed. Those alliances forged against Jesus’ kingship would continue on into the early church and still persist today. It’s not us vs. them. It’s about siding with Jesus, the coming king.

We're all trying to impress someone. A young boy might want to impress his dad. A teenager might want to impress her friends. A young man looks to impress a girl he’s attracted to. I’ve tried to keep a nice lawn this year to impress my neighbors. We try to impress people because we want their approval. Yet, this can be a dangerous game to play. People’s opinions are pretty fickle.

As we continue in our salvation story, we read that the arresting mob leads Jesus back into the city to the home of the high priest, where the Sanhedrin, with their mocking soldiers, conduct a sham trial. In a remarkable twist, Jesus reveals to his interrogators that he is the one who will ultimately judge. 

Meanwhile, Peter, who was following from a distance, is put on trial as well by a bunch of bystanders and wilts before the court of popular opinion. Peter is deeply ashamed as the Lord looks directly into his soul.

We are hardwired to desire approval. The problem is that we seek our approval in the wrong places. Rather than trying to impress others, we see that it’s preferable to seek approval from the only court that counts.

Chiaroscuro is an Italian term that describes an artistic technique, popularized by Renaissance painters like Leonardo DaVinci, and perhaps most famously, Caravaggio. Chiaroscuro uses bold contrasts between light and dark tones that add depth and drama, creating tension, mood, and emotion within a composition. 

As we continue to read in our salvation story, our author Luke paints a very dark picture: the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. This wasn’t just betrayal. Judas, one of the twelve, betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Religious, civil, and military authorities came against Jesus at night with swords and clubs as if detaining a dangerous criminal. Even the disciples contributed to the tension of the moment by violently lashing out. But in contrast to all of the descending darkness was the light that emanated from Jesus. 

We too live in a world dominated by darkness. Jesus’ merciful healing of the servant is a dramatic reminder to turn from darkness and instead walk as children of light.

Pastor and theologian John Piper writes, “Prayer is a walkie-talkie for warfare, not a domestic intercom for increasing our conveniences.”

In the previous episode of our salvation story, Jesus warned his disciples about the hardships that they would face. Despite the privilege of being called apostles, who would one day rule and reign with Jesus, they were called to sacrificially serve. Despite Peter’s overconfident protests, they would all be spiritually sifted by Satan. Different from their previous mission in which they experienced success, now they would experience opposition. Just like Jesus, the disciples were called to suffer. 

Their immediate response was to take up arms. They scrummaged around and found a couple of swords, ready to fight to the death. However, as we continue to read, we see that Jesus modeled for them a more powerful weapon, earnest prayer. 

Jesus was about to face the single greatest trial and temptation of his life. This would make those 40 days in the wilderness seem like child’s play. Burdened by the thought of bearing in his body the sin of the world, Jesus cried out to the Father. 

In a sad bit of irony, while Jesus agonized in prayer, the disciples fell asleep, symbolizing their vulnerability in the midst of spiritual battle. Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane on the night that he was betrayed serves as a wake-up call for us all. Trials and temptations are sure to come. But God strengthens us when we pray.

Mean Joe Green was the backbone of Pittsburgh’s steel curtain defense that led the Steeler dynasty to four Super Bowl titles. Dan Marino is regarded as the greatest pure passer the NFL has ever seen. Dick Butkus was a Chicago Bears legend who struck fear into opposing offenses with his ferocious tackling. Jerry Rice is still the career leader in receiving yards with 22,895, 5000 more than the next closest wideout. Their superior skill and physical dominance made these men some of the gridiron’s greatest. 

But what does it take to be great in the kingdom of God?

Continuing in our salvation story, we read that the disciples were arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest. The aura of being apostles and the anticipation of ruling in the coming kingdom blinded them to Jesus’ imminent death. Peter, the most outspoken and naturally gifted leader of the group, boasted of his deep and undying commitment to the Lord. However, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial and prepares all of his disciples for the hardships that would come.

Becoming an NFL legend is no easy feat, nor is greatness in the kingdom of God. As disciples, we are called to sacrificially serve. We will be spiritually sifted. And, like Jesus, we are called to similarly suffer. There is no escaping hardship. It is the inglorious path to true greatness.