WALKING WITH THE RESURRECTED JESUS
Luke 24:13-35
When Jesus resurrected the first person he appeared to was Mary Magdalene, who thought he was the gardener at first. We might be familiar with that story and the appearance to his disciples, but there was another appearance that took place between him seeing Mary and the Apostles. Today we'll look at Jesus' encounter with the two on the road to Emmaus.
1) "What are you talking about?"
Vs. 13-24, "Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 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?” “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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
So here we have these two disciples walking down the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about everything that had happened. We know one was Cleopas, of whom nothing else is really known. The other person is kept anonymous, although some think it was Luke himself.
They were disciples of Jesus and they knew the apostles as we'll see toward the end of the story. Being very troubled by what had happened and sad that he was gone from them shows they cared very much about Jesus. Jesus makes a connection with them. Why Jesus chose them is not known.
We see that they were kept from being able to recognize Jesus. We learn from Mark's gospel that Jesus' appearance was altered; we'll see why in a little while. Jesus asks them what they were talking about. To put Cleopas' surprised reaction in perspective it would be like you were in NYC just after the events of 9/11 and meeting someone who didn't know what you were talking about; that's how big this was.
So they go on to explain what had been happening. It's interesting that they refer to Jesus as a prophet and not the Savior or the Son of God. They could call Jesus the prophet but they were not yet able to call him the Christ. There are people today who will call Jesus a prophet and a teacher but will not make the leap of faith to call him Savior and Lord.
Nevertheless it was still complimentary of these two to speak of him being powerful in word and deed. Many times throughout the gospels you'll find people being amazed at Jesus' ability to teach with such wisdom and authority as well as being amazed at his miracles.
What about us? Are we amazed at the teachings of Jesus? Do we marvel at how he was able to handle the religious leaders when they tried to trap him? Are we in awe of his courage and passion when he spoke so directly to people? Are we captivated by his wisdom and insight? Are we enamored by his words of love and compassion?
What about his powerful deeds? Not just his miracles, but the way he handled situations? The way he did things according to the direction of the Father instead of the status quo of the world around him. The way he highlighted the deeds of people who would've otherwise gone unnoticed like the poor widow. The way he broke down people's opinions about Samaritans. The way he ministered to women. Have we made the decision to emulate his character and follow his example?
These two recognized Jesus' giftedness and abilities. But it's followed by some despondent words, "we had hoped he was the one". In their mind their hopes were dashed. "To redeem Israel". It's possible they thought what many others did-that Jesus was going to get them out from underneath the Romans and restore Israel to the glorious days of peace Israel had under Solomon.
But regardless, these two had hopes of redemption that they now felt was lost. "It's the third day, the day he said he would return. But where is he? Some women said they saw him but we don't know if their testimony can be trusted. All we know is that the body is gone. I'm sure the Romans took it. We were so looking forward to our redemption but now we'll have to keep waiting."
Though their assumptions were wrong, we can understand their discouragement. Have you ever looked forward to something and then your hopes were dashed? I recently watched a documentary where this man who had been in prison for 20 years was scheduled to be released the next day. His excitement showed as he talked with the interviewer.
But, it was not to be. Apparently they had gotten the date wrong-he actually had another year and a half to go. He was angry and dejected. No doubt these two felt like they had been let down; they believed their redeemer was dead.
It's interesting how willing Cleopas is to reveal his personal thoughts to someone who he thought was a complete stranger. Sometimes when we're burdened by something we're willing to tell someone we don't know; it's like a release. But I have a feeling these two were not expecting the reaction they about to receive from Jesus.
2) "Hey, where ya goin'?"
Vs. 25-31, "He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight."
We see Jesus started out by rebuking them. They were being foolish in their unbelief. He scolds them for their reluctance to believe the prophecies. He reminds them of what he had already told them regarding his suffering, death and resurrection. Sometimes Jesus will rebuke us for our lack of faith.
But can you imagine what these two were thinking when this "stranger" chewed them out like this? And then to explain the scriptures like Jesus did must've caused them to wonder who in the world this guy was. We see that they were humble and teachable. Instead of responding with something like "who do you think you are? Get lost, buddy", they do the opposite; they don't want him to leave! They were reprimanded but instead of fighting it they accepted it; they listened to what he had to say.
How are we when someone shares the truth with us? Are we inclined to give the negative response or are we more like these two? It's clear that Jesus would've continued on had they not urged him to stay. Jesus was testing them to see how badly they wanted to hear more and they passed.
Jesus won't stay where he's not welcome. He'll tell us what we need to hear and then he'll wait to see if we invite him in to hear more. If we really want to know more, more will be revealed. If we shut the door he's not going to force his way in, he'll continue on. Those are the instructions he gave his disciples when he sent them out.
Matt. 10:14, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town." Shaking the dust off was a symbolic act to be taken as a warning for rejecting God's message. This doesn't imply we only have one chance to receive the gospel or else. Most of us don't accept the gospel the first time we hear it; we are slow of heart like the two in our story.
But, the warning still stands-rejecting the gospel is risky since we don't know when we're going to die. At that point, our chances for salvation will be gone. So I pray that your eyes will be opened like our two friends here. Jesus breaks bread and then suddenly their eyes were opened and they saw Jesus for who he was.
It's interesting that the point of recognition comes when Jesus broke bread. One reason for this could be because it wouldn't have been commonplace for the guest to take on the role of serving so that would've gotten their attention. But this would've been something that they had seen Jesus do on numerous occasions. That familiarity began to open their eyes that this was no stranger.
Along with their eyes being opened to recognize Jesus, I also believe it meant that their eyes were opened to the scriptures and the things Jesus had been telling them that they hadn't really understood before now. Now it all made sense. But their moment of elation was short lived; as soon as he was revealed he was gone.
His disappearance doesn't mean he was a ghost, as some have suggested to try to discredit Jesus' bodily resurrection. If you read Luke 24:36 and following you'll see that when Jesus suddenly appeared to the apostles they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he dispelled that by eating food and asking them to touch him and see that he had flesh.
Jesus' had a full, bodily resurrection. However, he was different in that his ability to disappear and reappear meant he was able to do things a typical person couldn't do.
When Jesus disappeared these two had to be thrilled and dumbfounded at the same time. We can be like that. Surprises can be both exciting and bewildering. But we typically don't focus on the confusing part, we like to stay on the exciting part. That's what these two did; they focused on the joyous part.
3) "We saw Jesus too!"
Vs. 32-35, "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 got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread."
"Were not our hearts burning?" Of course; they had been in the presence of Jesus. I'm sure this is what prompted them to invite Jesus to stay. They had heard a powerful and moving sermon from the master preacher and their hearts started to burn within them. Listening to Jesus stirred up something inside them; their souls were moved and they wanted more.
When Jesus touches our hearts we are moved. When the word of Christ comes alive for us the fire is burning. When the Spirit of Christ moves within us he stokes the fire and it sets our hearts ablaze and we want more.
And it moves us to action as it did for these two. "They got up at once". It didn't matter that it was very late, they were going to go to the apostles and tell them what just happened. When we're excited about something we want to go and tell others about it. These two had just learned the most exciting news of all and they didn't even think about keeping it to themselves.
When your heart is set on fire by Jesus you cannot sit still; you have to move. Your spiritual energy fuels you to act. We have learned the most exciting news ever-Jesus is alive. We have the most exciting message ever-the gospel. Are we excited to tell others about Jesus? Are our hearts burning within us?
So the two rushed to find the Apostles already talking about the same thing. "It's true; the Lord has appeared to Simon." There was a personal appearance made just to Peter that we're not told about. Paul mentions it in 1st Cor. 15:5 when he said that he appeared to Peter and then to the 12 (sometimes the Apostles were still called 'the 12' even though Judas was no longer alive).
So the two disciples confirm what the women had already proclaimed; for now they had seen him for themselves. They didn't believe what the women said and then Jesus opened their eyes. And when they went to tell the Apostles, they didn't believe it until Jesus appeared to them. The validity of the resurrection should've been more substantiated by the testimony of his appearance to Peter. But, there was still unbelief. Mark describes it in his gospel.
Mark 16:9-14, "When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen."
Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith and their unwillingness to believe the testimonies of trustworthy people. The disciples should've believed because Jesus had already told them about all this before he died; and they knew he wasn't a liar or deceiver. But when it came to believing in the resurrection they had their doubts. But Jesus showed himself to them and their doubts were alleviated.
What about us? Do we believe the testimony of trustworthy people when they talk to us about Jesus? If not, what will it take to remove our skepticism? It took something dramatic for the disciples to believe. It's no different today. Some people need something dramatic to take place in their lives before they will believe that this Christianity stuff is for real.
But maybe you're not really a skeptic-you're just confused; you don't really know what to think about Jesus. To some degree the two on the road and the disciples were confused. But the question is: what are you doing to clear up your confusion? What steps are you taking to try to sort this all out?
Are you talking with people who know Jesus so you understand better? Are you looking to have your concerns addressed and your questions answered? Whether you're skeptical or just confused the question is-are you seeking to know the truth? If so, Jesus will make things clear to you like he did for our two friends on the road to Emmaus. Will you allow Jesus to open your eyes like they did?
