THE EMMAUS ROAD
Luke 24:13-35
Read at beginning of service:
Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Today we continue our series on the Roads of Passion. These roads are roads found on Jesus way to the cross, the resurrection and the roads He asks us to walk on in our own lives.
Last week traveling on the Jerusalem road led us to the triumphal entry. Today the Emmaus road leads us into triumphal living with the risen Lord.
The events of the week seemed anything but triumphal. They were confusing and discouraging.
Pharisees ask Jesus to quiet His disciples. 19:39-40
Jesus cleanses the temple. 19:45-46
Chief Priests, scribes & leaders seek to destroy Jesus. 19:47-48
Religious leaders question Jesus’ authority. 20:1-8
Jesus questioned of loyalty and taxes. 20:20-26
Judas bought to betray Jesus. 22:1-6
Jesus betrayed & arrested. 22:47-54
Jesus mocked and beaten. 22:63-65
Falsely tried before the Sanhedrin. 22:66-71
Taken before Pilate. 23:1-5
Pilate sends Jesus to Herod. 23:6-12
Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified. 23:26-43
Jesus is crucified and dies. 23:44-49
Jesus is buried. 23:50-56
Women to tomb on Sunday morning and find the body of Jesus gone. 24:1-5
You have to admit its not what makes for a great time of celebration this time was meant to be. But their discouragement and hurt would be turned into triumphs of belief on the Emmaus road.
A Road of Companionship
Luke 24:13-18
Luke 24:13-18 (NIV)
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
The story continues as two of the disciples of Jesus discouraged and frustrated begin to travel to Emmaus their home. As they walked, they talked of the events of the week, and then Jesus came along side of them.
For whatever reasons their eyes were kept from recognizing this third person as Jesus, the Risen Lord.
Perhaps they were so preoccupied with their own disappointments and problems. The important point is not that they did not recognize Jesus, but Jesus recognized them as His own.
His coming to them and walking along side of them illustrates the truth that Jesus promises, "I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20) The road to Emmaus is a road of companionship that indicates Jesus’ desire to walk with each of us. It further illustrates that Jesus is with us even when we do not recognize Him!
A little boy was asked by his mother if He knew the name of God’s Son. "Yes," replied, "it is Andy." Curious she asked why. "Because the song says, Andy walks with me. Andy talks with me."
Tony Compolo tells about when he was a young boy in church how he disliked the song "In the Garden." Jesus sounded kind of wimpy being around dew, roses, birds hushing their singing! Then he tells that now that he is older he enjoys his walks and talks with Jesus and how precious they are.
Isaiah 43:2-3a (NIV)
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…His presence. He wants to join us in our travels of life. Walking with the Risen Lord we can walk with one another.
Psalm 119:63 (NIV)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
1 John 1:7 (NIV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
The road to Emmaus is a road of companionship. The Risen Lord desires we walk with Him and one another.
A Road of Conversation
Luke 24:19-24
Luke 24:19-24 (NIV)
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
As Jesus joined them He began to converse with them, asking of the events they talked about. In asking, He allowed them to tell their deepest hurts, angers and frustrations.
They poured out their hearts to Him as they were counting on this Jesus to redeem Israel. They had placed all their hope in Him and when He had died, their hopes died with Him. They spoke of the resurrection being told of by the women, but it seemed futile for they did not see Him.
Jesus is the greatest empathic listener. He is able to listen to our hurts and discouragement’s with the ability to enter into our pain.
These two had no idea they were talking to the One who had been crucified and raised. The One who would turn their sorrow into joy.
Do we? Do we know that Jesus desires to converse with us through the means of prayer? Like these two we can tell Him whatever is on our hearts and minds. He wants to listen, and talk with us.
Psalm 69:16-17 (NIV)
16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. 17 Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The Emmaus road is one of companionship and conversation.
A Road of Belief
Luke 24:25-27
Luke 24:25-27 (NIV)
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
We might expect Jesus to say, "I understand." But He says, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe …" His words were not to harm or insult, but to challenge their belief. In what? The Scriptures!They knew the biblical prophecies of the Messiah to come. They could not understand why God did not intervene to save Jesus from the cross. They were caught up in the political powers at hand and failing to understand the true work of the Messiah.
Isaiah 53:1-12 (NIV)
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus challenges our belief. We cannot live without faith. The two on the Emmaus road were foolish for not believing the prophets. Would He say that to us today? How slow are we to believe?
We know the truth that He is risen, and one day will return to earth. Do we believe? Do we live like we believe? The Scriptures communicate the spiritual truths we need to know, and Jesus exhorts us to believe and to live out that belief.
John 8:24 (NIV)
24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."
The Emmaus road is one of companionship, conversation, and belief.
A Road of Renewed Hope
Luke 24:28-35
Luke 24:28-35 (NIV)
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
As the journey neared an end the two encouraged Jesus to stop at their home. They still had not recognized Him. Supper time came and this Stranger took the bread and broke it, and all of a sudden they recognized Him! "Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him …"
As quickly as they knew Him, He was gone from their midst. They began to speak to one another, but it was not about the weeks events. It was about seeing the Risen Lord Jesus!
Luke 24:32 (NIV)
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Their lives prior to this moment were like a smoldering fire that gives no light, just smoke to cloud things up. But once they came into the presence of the Risen Lord their hearts were ablaze! A burning fire gives light for all to see, and they saw, understood and believed! All because of the Risen Lord!
Jesus’ victory became their restoring hope. It became the anchor of their lives.
Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)
19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
With renewed hope they ran back to Jerusalem. The long discouraged walk to Emmaus now became a joyous run to Jerusalem with renewed strength.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
When arriving back in Jerusalem they found the eleven together and with great zeal in their renewed hope they said this … "THE LORD IS RISEN!"
Conclusion
Psalm 42:5 (NIV)
5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and
Where is our belief? Where is our hope? The world awaits to hear from those disciples who are burning within their hearts the message of Easter … HE IS RISEN!
Ahh .. the Emmaus road is a great road of companionship, conversation, belief and hope. Walk it with Jesus!
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)
57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This sermon was preached by Darren Ethier at Hanover Pentecostal Church on April 15, 2001 for Easter Sunday. This message is Part 2 of the sermon series: Roads of Passion. This message series is inspired from the series "The Road" by Bob Aubuchon. The outline and title for this particular message in the series has been gleaned from Bob Aubuchon’s message, "The Emmaus Road". All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright © 1873, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
