Hearts On Fire
Have you ever had a time in your life when you were so sure, so confident of something coming to fruition only to have it vanish before your eyes? We're not talking about the simple stuff, like missing a sale at Walmart or getting a burger at Burger King that's not "made your way". No, this would be major things:
After years of remission a reappearance of cancer that is even more virulent;
A spouse that files for divorce a few years after reconciliation;
That promised job promotion you needed to avert bankruptcy goes to someone else far less qualified but better connected
The house that you purchased three years ago loses half its value and now you cannot move to your dream house because your mortgage is "upside down"
The sudden death of a close friend that you just found after years of separation
If you have not faced such disappointment, one day you will. It may be a different "flavor" of disappointment, but it will be just as bitter or perhaps even worse than the examples above.
This week, we examine my favorite story of Resurrection Sunday, the Encounter on the Road to Emmaus. It is story of having the proverbial rug pulled out from under one's feet, but then having the Savior helping one not just off the floor but helping one to fly.
Trying To Make Sense Of It All
Sometimes, when things go south, we just wonder how it all happened. We try to make sense of things, often in vain; sometimes there are just no answers at least in this lifetime. However, sometimes the answers are right in front of our face but like a child with a "connect the dots" picture we just don't "connect the dots". Such is the case of these two disciples on the road to Emmaus.
These two disciples, not part of "the Twelve" but part of the group that followed along with Jesus. Cleopas was one of these men, whom Lightfoot stated was also known as Alphaeus, identified as the father of the Apostle James (Matthew 10:3). They left Jerusalem for Emmaus, perhaps their from their home.
These were two men that epitomized the feeling among many, including the Twelve and also the women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary mother of James, and other women, Luke 24:10). They with Jesus during the days of his ministry, some for the whole three years. They had eaten a common meal with Him, celebrated Jewish holidays, seen the miracles of healing and feeding thousands and many other wonderful events. But most important, they had heard Jesus teach, and with all of the things that He had told Him, they missed the meaning behind His death upon the cross. They felt that Jesus was lost and lost forever to them.
While they were walking, they were trying to reason out what had happened. How could this have happened? In fact, their conversation was more than lively; the late Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest stated that theirs was "heated, animated conversation". In other words, not only were they disappointed beyond belief they were frustrated. All that they had known to be true, all that they had come to believe in all evaporated on that Roman Cross. "Was Jesus a failure or a success? Why did He have to die? Was there a future for the nation?" (Wiersbe)
As they were walking along, Jesus started walking with them, coming along side. Supernaturally, they were not able to recognize their beloved Teacher and Savior. He asked "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?" Their answer reminds me of what my father in law says when I show up late, all said in one word: "Whereubin?" (Where you been). The construction in the common Greek refers to that of a pilgrim from out of town that was alone and isolated, and basically clueless to what had happened. Another commonly known saying applies: "Have you been under a rock?"
When asked by Jesus what things had been going on, they gave a detailed explanation. Although they had been with Jesus for a good length of time, they misunderstood His message. Let's see how.
They identified Him as a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: Although Jesus was indeed a prophet, He was much, much more. Prophets taught, they predicted, they led. Jesus did all of this, but Jesus identified Himself as "The way (to heaven), the truth (the Word in flesh) and the life (life eternal)" (John 14:6), "I AM" (seven times in John, referring to Himself as God--see Exodus 3) Son of man (the Son of God in the flesh, making Himself God--Matthew 9:2, 6, 10:23, etc). Simon Peter, when Jesus asked him who he thought He was, answered "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt 16:16). The very name Jesus means Jehovah salvation (Fausset) or Yehovah is salvation (ISBE), and is a transliteration of the name Joshua, or Yehoshua; Christ means is not Jesus' last name but instead is His title means anointed one.
We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel: The word for redeem means "to pay a price for his freedom". It was a common thought among Jews of the day that the coming Messiah--the Christ--would be a conqueror and would free His people. They had their hopes set on a living Messiah, a conqueror but instead Jesus had died. All of their hopes and dreams seemed to be at an end.
Certain women of our company...did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive... And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb...Him they did not see: Jesus had said that he would be put to death and would rise on the third day three separate times in Matthew, they even said that it was "the third day" referencing this fact. However, they denied the account of witnesses that saw an empty tomb, the witness of angels who said He was alive.
We are on the far side of the experience of these men. It is too easy, wrong in fact, for us to think that these two were lacking in intelligence in any way. For instance, I remember years ago a woman referring to the Twelve as "the Duh-ciples", and frankly, that annoys me. We have the Holy Spirit within us as saints in Christ, they did not. They had been raised in a system of religion that taught many false teachings and whacked traditions, and had so much to overcome. These men simply did not connect the dots. Never be amazed when someone does not "get it"...understand the Gospel message.--JH
Now we will see how Jesus helped these two "connect the dots". When we think of someone that is foolish, we may think that they are immature or even stupid. However, the Greek word "is compounded of a, "not," and noeoo, which implies, besides "seeing," perception "of the mind" as consequent upon sight. It is therefore equivalent to "dull of perception." They had read what the prophets had spoken, but had failed to "perceive" its application to Christ." (Vincent's Word Studies). They didn't see the truth as presented to them, they didn't understand what Jesus had taught them.
In addition, they were "slow of heart to believe". Albert Barnes wrote in Barnes Notes: Slow of heart to believe. Not quick to perceive. Dull of learning. They had suffered their previous opinions and prejudices to prevent their seeing the evidence that he must die and rise from the dead. In other words, they were suffering from presupposition. What does that mean? To have a presupposition means "to suppose beforehand" (Merriam Webster)--that you have already decided something in your mind and approach any problem or issue with that in mind, even if it is overtly wrong. They had, in their hearts, believed staunchly that the Messiah would come and conquer the Romans and make the Jews the ruling people in the world. They were looking for a political and military king to save them from the Romans and did not "believe in all that the prophets have spoken".
"Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?". A "suffering Savior" was not what these men were looking for, they were looking for a conqueror. What would it take for Jesus move the presupposition in the hearts and the lack of perception in their minds?
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Jesus provides such an example of how we are to approach those that do not believe: use Scripture. The faith is not about televangelist's "sound bites" and preachers that say a whole lot but rarely if ever quote Scripture unless it is out of context. We are to come and reason together using God's Word--"Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). This is precisely what Jesus does. What Scriptures did He use? Luke is not specific, but it is obvious he went from Genesis to Malachi in His explanation. He would have most likely used, for instance, Isaiah 53 which is the textbook on Jesus's suffering and death though innocent and sinless. He may have spoken of Genesis the account of Abraham placing Isaac on the altar (a picture of the sacrificial death by God the Father of Jesus the Son) or the prophetic accounts in Psalm 22 and 69. The key to understanding the Bible is to see Jesus Christ on every page. He did not teach them only doctrine or prophecy; He taught "the things concerning Himself' (Luke 24:27) (Warren Wiersbe).
Did Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us?
When these three came to Emmaus, it appeared to the two that Jesus was going to just keep on walking on His way. However, they had enjoyed the conversation with Jesus so much, were blessed so greatly that they did not want to see the evening end. In addition, as night was upon them, it would have been rude for them to have allowed Jesus to continue on his way as thieves often waited in ambush. So, they "urged him, or pressingly invited him." (Albert Barnes). They still did not have a clue that it was Jesus that they were having over for evening dinner.
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. It was common and customary for the head of the feast to break the bread, and these two were so impressed with and admired Jesus that they allowed Him this honor. I have this feeling-- "sanctified speculation" if you will--that Jesus had a particular way of breaking the bread that was unique to Himself. It was at that moment that it all hit home. I have this picture in my mind of them remembering not just the teaching of Jesus on Emmaus Road but many of His teachings during His ministry days. They knew EXACTLY whom Jesus was, it all came together--what had happened, what Jesus had taught them and now it was revealed that it was indeed Savior they had walked with. He literally vanished or disappeared in front of their eyes, so says the Greek word.
And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" The legendary Methodist founder John Wesley stated: Someone read from Luther's Preface to the Epistle to Romans. About 8:45 p.m. "while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation..." I have found at times past but more so recently that when I study the Bible or talk to a fellow Christian that my heart burns. It burns for change in me. It burns for a desire to know God more. It burns with a passion for lost souls, bound for Hell without a relationship with Jesus Christ.
These two immediately left and hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem. They could not keep this good news to themselves, and with burning hearts for Christ they could not wait to share this good news. Finally, with the touch of the Master upon their hearts, the dots connected. And they had joy unspeakable.
