Luke 24

“But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them” (v11).  The women were “perplexed” not to find Jesus’ body (v4), and when they relayed what the angel said to the male disciples, no one believed them.  The disciples on the road to Emmaus were also confused and discouraged, because they “had hoped he was the one to redeem Israel” (v21). Then the resurrected Jesus appeared to his friends, explaining from the Scriptures how God’s victory had been won on the cross.

“He was known to them in the breaking of the bread” (v35). Jesus’ sacrifice didn’t match the human image of “victory.” Yet we can only receive redemption when we embrace His cross.