“Open Your Eyes”
Luke 24:13-35
INTRODUCTION (p)
Now that same day two shepherds were going south to the city of Hebron, about thirteen miles from Bethlehem, to sell their sheep and barter wool. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened the night before. They talked of angels. They talked of inns and barns. They talked of the little Child who was born. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, a traveler came up in a chariot and rode along with them. This was not unusual, this was a busy road and there was safety in numbers. In addition, the sheep made it impossible for the traveler to pass by.
He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces beaming. One of the shepherds, named Alan, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Bethlehem and the surrounding area and do not know about the things that happened last night?"
"What things?" the traveler asked.
"About the king that was born in Bethlehem," they replied. "He was announced by a whole host of angels. They lit the night sky in announcing His birth. We went and saw the place where He lay. He was there, in a stable next to the inn. He was there, in a feeding trough. He was there cared for by His mother Mary and Joseph.”
The traveler said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of mind you must be for me to believe that a king was born in a stable with no attendants and no fanfare.” And he began by explaining to these poor shepherds all about the expectations of royalty for he was royalty. “In fact,” he concluded, “I stayed at that very inn last night and my horses were in the very stable next to the inn. I saw nothing of import this morning.”
“We know it is strange to tell you that a king was born in a barn, but it is true!” the shepherds exclaimed all the more. We were there last night and the baby and family were staying in the stable. We have seen it and testify to it!”
As they approached the city to which they were going, the rich traveler on the chariot acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Go back and see the child! Go and see the king who was born!” The traveler was unsure if he should believe these shepherds, but they urged him all the more as they traveled along. Soon, he turned his face north towards Bethlehem and squinted his eyes at the horizon. Was that man who hitched the horse team to the chariot this morning involved for he did seem like he had been up all night and looked like he was staying in the stable? Should he go? Were these shepherds telling the truth? He closed his eyes, turned, and went on his way.
THE EYE… http://news.softpedia.com/news/Five-Stupid-Beliefs-About-the-Eyes-59754.shtml
An adult eye is about 1 inch in diameter and has about 12 million photoreceptors which are light sensitive cells and six muscles that move the ocular sphere with such a precision that it allows the eye to follow moving objects. Like a camera, the eye has a diaphragm (called iris), whose opening degree adapts to the brightness of the environment. The light rays that cross the opening of the iris, the pupil, have been previously concentrated by the action of the cornea. The crystalline lens is charged with the focusing of the light and its refraction index and is adjusted by the ciliary muscles. After crossing the vitreous humour (that is not your funny bone, but part of the eye), the light reaches the retina, a membrane possessing 120 photosensitive rods and 7 million color photosensitive cones. On the retina an upside down image is formed which is an image that is reverted by the brain. The rods and the cones turn the light into electric signals which are transmitted through the ganglionic cells to the optic nerve and from there they reach the brain.
Sounds complicated doesn’t it? That is because it is. Human sight is a miracle of God’s creation. When I read the description of what happens when a person sees, I think it is strange that any of us can see at all! So many things must go right for a person to see and so many things could go wrong. It seems like if any of those rods or cones or muscles do not work right vision problems occur. Most of us here probably have some kind of corrective lenses or vision issue. According to the CDC, 67% of people in the state of Florida went to see an eye-care professional in the last year (http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/index.htm). Most of us are concerned about our eye sight. That is because our eyes are important. You know how I know eyes are important? What was the very first thing God created?
Genesis 1:1-5 records for us, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day.”
Verse 2 tells us plainly that chaos and darkness existed. And then God created what… light. God separated light and darkness and made day and night and began to create order from the chaos. Why mention all this to you? Our eyes as long as they are working properly and are open allow us to perceive in light the world around us. A properly working eye sees the world.
SUPERSITIONS ABOUT EYES (anthropologyinpractice.com & en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil_eye)
I have been doing some reading this week on eyes and it seems that people from the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean have a rich collection of superstitions, many of which found their way to the island via colonialism. One interesting superstition on the island concerns an involuntary eye spasm known colloquially as “when your eye jumps.” The superstition has multiple parts and meanings depending on which eye is affected:
If your right eye jumps, you are going to hear good news. If your left eye jumps, you are going to hear
bad news.
If your right eye jumps, someone is speaking well of you. If your left eye jumps, someone is saying bad things about you. If you think of the name of people you know, when you name the right person—who is speaking badly about you—your eye will stop jumping.
If your right eye jumps, you'll see someone you haven't seen in a long time.
If your left eye jumps, a loved one/friend is doing something behind your back.
If your left eye jumps, a love one/friend may be in trouble.
And I always thought it meant you needed to eat a banana.
Every culture has different beliefs and stories and folktales about eyes and what different things mean. My favorite folktale about eyes has to be “the evil eye.” The evil eye is a look that is believed by many cultures to be able to cause injury or bad luck for the person at whom it is directed for reasons of envy or dislike. The evil eye is usually given to others who remain unaware. Even in the Jewish culture, Rabbi Eliezer, a rabbi in Jesus’ day and one who may have converted to Christianity, says an evil eye is worse than a bad friend, a bad neighbor, or an evil heart. He taught that a "good eye" designates an attitude of good will and kindness towards others. Someone who has this attitude in life will rejoice when his fellow man prospers; he will wish everyone well. An "evil eye" denotes the opposite attitude. A man with "an evil eye" will not only feel no joy but experience actual distress when others prosper, and will rejoice when others suffer.
Our eyes have importance more than the physical. Eyes many times are tied to beliefs and faith. Even Jesus says, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:22-23). Goodness is tied to our eyes. Evil can be tied to our eyes. The condition of our souls and bodies are even tied to what we see in Matthew 6 by Jesus. It just seems to me that eyes are important. And not just our physical eyes, but also our eyes of faith.
EYES OF FAITH (gracegems.org/Pink/eye_of_faith.htm)
What are “eyes of faith?” The term “eyes of faith” is a metaphor. Faith at times in the Bible is compared to our bodily sight. Jesus said in John 8:56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day—and he saw it and was glad,” meaning that Abraham’s faith looked forward to the days of Christ’s birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection. The Apostle Paul was commissioned to the Gentiles by Jesus Christ, “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18). In other words, Paul would be the instrument of their conversion and he would help them see who Jesus was. “Eyes of faith” are just as important as physical eyes and no matter the condition of your physical eyes, your “eyes of faith” can always be ready. For you see: properly working eyes of faith see the world as Jesus would see it.
This year we have been learning together through the Gospel of Luke. Each Sunday we have progressed chapter by chapter through the life of Jesus. Now we have come to the end of the year and we are coming to the end of the Gospel of Luke as well. In the past few weeks, we have reflected on the death of Jesus. We saw how He was mistreated, beaten, and nailed to a cross for us. John spoke about the two trees… a Christmas Tree and a Cross which are a wonderful mental picture of the life of Jesus with all that He means to us. We also know that Jesus did not stay dead, but that He rose on the third day and there were witnesses. Luke 24 concludes with two stories about Jesus appearing to His followers after His resurrection. This week we will look at the first of those stories which is often called the “walk to Emmaus.”
READ Luke 24:13-35
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.
I absolutely love verse 31 when it says, “their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.” I think if we take a look at these two disciples, we learn that we need to keep our eyes open! They were walking along with their physical eyes, but their eyes of faith were certainly closed. They saw the fellow in front of them, but they didn’t see it was Jesus. We need to keep our physical eyes open and also our eyes of faith open and be watchful for Jesus. I think if we dissect Luke 24 we will notice several lessons about keeping our eyes of faith open and being watchful.
I. BE WATCHFUL FOR JESUS’ APPEARANCE (Verses 22-24)
I want you to notice what the two disciples explained to the traveler next to them in Luke 24. They explained in verses 22-24 that Jesus was no longer in His tomb. He was alive. They heard from the angels that Jesus was no longer dead, but was alive! They heard from the women who went to the tomb that He was not there! I have often wondered why these two disciples walking along did not recognize Jesus. There are theological answers and probably some very Biblically based answers, but in the end, I don’t think they were watching for Him. They didn’t expect Him. I don’t think the two disciples were looking for Jesus to appear and I think their eyes of faith were closed.
One of the great purposes of our eyes of faith is so that we can see Jesus when He appears in our lives. Our eyes of faith are watchful and can tell the difference between coincidence and God’s providence. Our eyes of faith need to be watchful.
Many people in Bethlehem missed Jesus’ birth. The angels spoke about Him (Luke 2:14). The shepherds told all their neighbors about Him (Luke 2:17). Perhaps some travelers may have seen Him, but if they were not looking with eyes of faith, they may have missed His appearance in a stable in Bethlehem. Many people in Jerusalem missed Jesus’ death. The Jews wrongly convicted Him (Luke 23:4). One thief hurled insults while another asked to be let into His Kingdom (Luke 23:42). The rocks shook and only one soldier exclaimed He was the Son of God (Luke 23:47).
I think for us, we also need to be ready for Jesus to appear again and bring in the Judgment. Paul tells Timothy (2 Timothy 4:8), “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Paul tells Titus (Titus 2:11-13), “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope-- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Even Jesus Himself says to all of us (Matthew 24:42-44), “Therefore keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
I think all of us need to be on watch for Jesus to return and make sure that we are prepared. Keep our eyes of faith open. We need to keep ourselves from ungodliness. We need to be upright and godly in this age that wants nothing more than to tear us down. One of the first things we learn from these two disciples is to be watching for Jesus’ appearance and for us that is His Second Coming!
II. BE WATCHFUL FOR DISCOVERIES OF FAITH (Verses 19-24, 32)
I think the best teachers in the world guide students to discover truth instead of plopping it in their lap. This idea has been around since ancient times and is the basis for an entire manner of teaching called “Socratic Dialogue.” The thought behind Socratic dialogue and students discovering truth is that once they discover it, they will never forget the truths they learn. As we read the exchange between Jesus and the disciples on the Emmaus road, we see that Jesus did not just walk up to them and announce Himself… He allowed them to discover Him. They talked together and they shared and He shared.
Verse 32 was so clear, “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?” They would never ever forget the burning in their hearts. This was not acid reflux or heart burn from a good bowl of chili gone wrong, but rather the passion of God welling up in their hearts.
Another great purpose of our eyes of faith is that we stay watchful for new discoveries of faith and the lessons that God wishes to teach us. Our eyes of faith are watchful and are ready to accept the teachings of our Savior and Lord.
I can imagine that the shepherds who saw Jesus’ birth never expected that night to see God on Earth born in a manger. And yet because they were directed by the angels, they discovered Jesus. These men as they walked and talked with Jesus discovered even more truth about the faith they already professed.
ILLUSTRATION… Miss Alice Nease in Parrottsville, Tennessee and the bees (p)
I remember when I learned a great lesson about sanctification. Sanctification is the process that believers go through as they become more like Jesus Christ. Some Christians believe that it is possible for us to become totally sanctified in this life and not sin. I happen to disagree with that… mostly because I know myself and I know what my insides are like.
Anytime I think and pray and study on this Biblical topic, I am reminded of a senior saint that God put in my life. Ms. Alice Nease was a little old lady in the very first church I ever ministered at. She could remember the name of very minister at that church since she was a little girl in the mountains of East Tennessee and I am privileged to be part of that list. She was quite old when we lived there (to put it mildly) and I mowed her yard. One time I ran over an underground bees nest and got stung severely. She spent the whole next day on her hands and knees in her yard dumping gasoline down every hole she could find. She oozed of God. Her graciousness was evident to all. If anyone had a glow of God about her, it was this dear lady. Now if I had not been watchful, I would have missed the lesson God taught me through this dear lady. Total sanctification in this life is not possible, but my goodness we can get to the point where we ooze God and holiness and people cannot help but notice. That is the kind of person I want to be.
I would have missed such a lesson if I had my eyes closed or I had chosen to ignore what God was teaching me. Her example was a great discovery of faith.
What is God teaching you? What lessons is He preparing in your life?
III. BE WATCHFUL FOR WITNESSING OPPORTUNITIES (Verses 18-24, 25-27)
Most of the time we look at Biblical passages, especially about the disciples, and we promote them as the poster children for all that they did wrong. We think they are dense because they don’t ever understand the parables that Jesus teaches (Luke 8). We judge them with a great lack of faith because they fear for their lives during a huge storm (Luke 8). We wonder why they didn’t know Jesus would take one boy’s lunch and feed 5,000 people (Luke 9). The list goes on and on as we look back on all that we know about Jesus and think how obvious it was who Jesus was and what He could do. Yet, they were discovering Him and we are beneficiaries of their discoveries.
In this passage they get something so right! These two disciples are walking along and they meet someone who appears to be unaware of the death of Jesus and other events that occurred in Jerusalem. And what do they do? They simply take the opportunity and share what they have experienced. These two disciples see an opportunity to share about Jesus and they take it! I like that. Even the shepherds at the birth of Jesus went around and spread the news to everyone they found about the Baby who was born (Luke 2:17).
And because of the unique situation, Jesus, in verse 27 takes the opportunity to sharpen these two disciples and aid them in their witness. He shares with them from the Scriptures all about Himself. We see people here taking the witnessing opportunities that are presented to them.
Another great purpose of our eyes of faith is that we stay watchful for opportunities to share our faith with those who may not know. It takes eyes of faith being watchful to catch those opportunities and the willingness to act.
ILLUSTRATION… Jump Start (p)
I was at Wal-Mart the other day, last week, and I came out and noticed a lady with her hood up. She was a Wal-Mart employee getting off work I believe. I asked across the parking spaces if she needed a jump. She said yes. I asked if she had called someone and was someone coming to help her. She said no. I told her I had jumper cables and I would pull around. When I got to her, she was remarking how this was just about how her whole day had gone… for she had worked many hours and it had not gone well. Now her car was dead. I hooked up the cables and her car started. She asked me how much she owed me and I said absolutely nothing. And then the opportunity came… it was there! She remarked, “Well I’m not sure why you would do such a thing, but thank you.” There was the opportunity.
I could have said, “I offered you a jump start because Jesus offers us all a jump start in life.” Perhaps, “This car is dead without a good battery like your life is dead without Jesus.” Or even more powerful I could have said, “My boss always wants me to help people.” And then she would have asked, “Whose your boss?” And I would have said, “Jesus.” I could have said any of those things, but not really. I could have said SOMETHING non-strange and off-putting that related to Jesus or caring for neighbors or something. And all I said was “you’re welcome.” That was all that came out. I missed the opportunity.
These disciples saw an opportunity to witness with their eyes of faith and they took it. I want to encourage you more than anything else this morning to keep your eyes open and your eyes of faith open for opportunities to share your faith with strangers who need a jump or family or friends or whomever God places in your path. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples got this right!
SHARE THE GOSPEL CLASS (SGC)
And if by chance your only objection to this is, “I don’t know what to say,” starting in February 2013, NBCC will be having a ½ hour class on the first Wednesday of each month on what to say when sharing the Gospel. Check out the newsletter and the bulletin. It’s coming. You can know what to say! Keep your eyes of faith open!
IV. BE WATCHFUL FOR GOD’S PURPOSES (Verses 30-35)
In the final verses of this story on the road to Emmaus, the disciples found God’s purpose for them as they sat at the table with this traveler that was Jesus. Jesus took these men as they walked along from despair over death to joy. He encouraged their faith about His return. And then He sat with them at a meal and they recognized who He was and their faith was ignited. The ignited faith of these two disciples was the purpose of God in their lives at that time.
Lots of people recognize their purpose once they associate themselves with Jesus. I can imagine that as Joseph and Mary sat with their newborn child in the manger, each of them discovered God’s purpose for them in raising God’s Son. The shepherds who were used to just watching sheep went from that to proclaiming all about what they had seen… the very first Christian evangelists! The Wise Men were watching the sky and saw the star and their purpose was clear to travel and worship the King of Kings.
These disciples, once they recognized Jesus, got up and rushed as fast as they could to tell others. The faith that was ignited in them was to spread to the other disciples who were still hesitant and doubting and in despair. Once they saw Jesus, they knew what they had to do.
Another great purpose of our eyes of faith is that we stay watchful for God’s purposes in our lives. There are so many purposes God has for you in your life. None of us was an accident no matter what anyone has ever said or how anyone has ever treated you or no matter how you have ever felt. God don’t make no junk.
You were created to personally know God.
You were created to Spread the Gospel.
You were created to express the fruit of the Spirit.
You were created to use the talents and abilities God gave you.
Your were created so that the works of God might be displayed in your life.
What, if any, of those purposes are you pursuing in your life?
CONCLUSION
We started our time together on a road with a traveler and some shepherds. At the end of the story he closed his eyes and went on his way. I want to encourage you this morning to open your eyes of faith and see what is going on around you.
Watch for Jesus! Watch for discoveries of faith! Watch for opportunities to share your faith!
Watch for God’s purposes!
