WHY WE NEED AN EMMAUS ROAD EXPERIENCE
Luke 24:13-35
Intro: The Emmaus Road. Not much is told in the Bible about this route of travel. We know it was threescore furlongs from Jerusalem or about seven miles. The town of Emmaus actually got its name from the hot springs that was there. In the spiritual meaning the word Emmaus means “an earnest longing.” Here we find two men walking in the evening from Jerusalem to Emmaus shortly after they have been told the Lord has risen. We know these men are disciples and one of them is named Cleopas. By reading the context of conversation you feel the downcast spirit in these two as you follow their conversation. But as they spoke they had a visitor that joined them along their way that would change their walk to Emmaus forever. I want to preach on, “WHY EVERYONE NEEDS AN EMMAUS ROAD EXPERIENCE.”
I. WE SEE THEIR WALK WAS FILLED WITH DOUBT
A. (Luke 24:11) And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
B. The word was out that Jesus had risen but it just seemed to be impossible
C. These men saw Jesus scourged and beat and spit on
D. They even saw him nailed to the cross and lifted into the air
E. Perhaps, the even heard him say, “It is finished.”
F. There was no way anyone could live through that
G. Doubt had clouded their mind as it does ours at times
H. And when things seem to be impossible we must remember God specializes in those things that seem to be to impossible
I. If Jesus says he will do something then you can count on it
J. He told all of his critics that he would rebuild the temple in three days and he did just that
K. While they did not understand what he was talking about his word was fulfilled in his resurrection\
II. WE FIND THEM DELIBERATING OVER THE TRUTH
A. (Luke 24:14) And they talked together of all these things which had happened
B. (Luke 24:15) And it came to pass, that, while they communed together, and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them
C. (Luke 24:16) But their eyes were holden that they should not know him
D. I believe sometime we dance around the truth with ourselves and become blinded to our own sins
E. I believe we try to justify why we are having troubles and trials but if we would just look at the truth and quit deliberating over it we would see the reason is really ourselves
F. They were so trying to come up with an explanation to Jesus resurrection they couldn’t even realize that it was him that joined then
III. WE FIND THEM DELAYING TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF JESUS
A. (Luke 24:17) In short Jesus straight out ask them what they were talking about that made them so sad
B. Cleopas did not answer him immediately but could not believe he had not heard about the things that had happened over the past days
C. Jesus replied “What thing?”
D. Don’t think that everyone knows your sorrow and should be sulking with you
E. Don’t think you should do around sharing them with everyone
F. I know people who are literally miserable if people are not feeling sorry for them
IV. WE FIND THEM DISCOURAGED WITH JESUS
A. How they were so hoping he was the Messiah. The Redeemer of Israel
B. (Luke 24:21) 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
C. Have you ever been discouraged with Jesus
D. The problem is like these men we really didn’t know what we was talking about.
V. WE FIND THEM DESPAIRING IN THEIR FAITH
A. (Luke 24:24) 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
B. Even after hearing it from Peter and John they still couldn’t believe it
C. A lot of times we get so lacking in our faith we can’t even see the truth when it is right in front of our eyes
VI. THEY DESIRED TO HEAR MORE OF WHAT THE STRANGER HAD TO SAY
A. (Luke 24:25) As Jesus walked with these two men he began with Moses and the prophets and expounded the scriptures the things concerning him
B. What a study of the scriptures to have the very man the scriptures is centered around walking with you and telling you why things had to happen
C. (Luke 24:29) When they came to village wither they went, the men constrained him to abide with them
D. These men wanted this stranger to stay with them so bad they nearly forced him to stay
E. They wanted to hear more. Jesus wanted to stay with them but he wanted to be invited in
F. When we hear more about Jesus we will want him to stay with us as well
VII. THEY DELIGHTED IN WHAT THEY FINALLY SEEN
A. (Luke 24:30) And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them
B. (Luke 24:31) And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight
C. (Luke 24:32) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures
D. (Luke 24:33) Proclaims they were so excited they rose in the same hour and made the seven mile journey back to Jerusalem to proclaim they had seen the Saviour.
Close: Through this Emmaus Road experience we find their eyes were opened that they would understand the scriptures. (Luke 24:45) The opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. He also gave them tow commands before he left. Verse 47 to preach the repentance of sins in his name among all nations and to tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from high. To have an Emmaus Road experience means to tell the world about Jesus and be endued with power. Do you need to walk down Emmaus Road?
