Easter, April 16, 2006
"A Life-Changing Walk"
"People Matter to God"—Part 5
Luke 24:13-37
On the Road to Emmaus
1. Discouraged, Disappointed, and Confused
"You seem to be in a deep discussion about something," he said. "What are you so concerned about?" They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
—Luke 24:17
Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days."
—Luke 24:18
"What things?" Jesus asked. "The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did wonderful miracles. He was a mighty teacher, highly regarded by both God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders arrested him and handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had thought he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. That all happened three days ago.
—Luke 24:19-21
Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus' body was gone, just as the women had said."
—Luke 24:22-24
Implication: Jesus cares about ordinary people.
2. Encouraged by the truth and Enlightened by fellowship
Then Jesus said to them, "You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn't it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?" Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.
—Luke 24:25-27
Question: Why didn't Jesus just reveal Himself to them? Why the Bible lesson?
Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth.
—John 17:17
And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own...
—Ephesians 1:13
But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news—the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:16-17
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God's blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
—Luke 24:28-31
But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the guilt and sins of us all.
—Isaiah 53:5-6
Application: Jesus reveals Himself to ordinary people. This wasn't one of the disciples. They weren't people who we recognize. They were ordinary people, going their own way back home, discouraged and disappointed. Jesus me them on their way. He came looking for them. Jesus found them and they invited Jesus in and their eyes were opened.
"Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.
—Revelation 3:20
Question: What resulted from their time with Jesus?
3. Energized and Elated!
They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem, where the eleven disciples and the other followers of Jesus were gathered. When they arrived, they were greeted with the report, "The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter!" Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, "Peace be with you."
—Luke 24:32-36
Application: Jesus is still taking life-changing walks with ordinary people today. Have you met Jesus on your way? Have you invited Him in? Easter's truth is that Jesus joins you on your journey and He is waiting for an invitation. Do you believe Jesus died for you? Do you believe the resurrection is true?
The resurrection, it really happened!
The Old Testament predicted it. The disciples missed it. Jesus predicted it. The disciples didn't get it. Jesus proved it true. He showed Himself to more than 500 at one time. The disciples finally got it and gave their lives to proclaim it. What about you? Do you believe it?
Prayer: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins on the cross. I want to turn away from my sins and I want to live for You. I invite You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Thank you for your forgiveness and making me clean. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.