Lost and Found:
The Uneven Road Ahead
Luke 24:13-35
Introduction
Today we are bringing to an end the LOST AND FOUND sermon series from the latter half of Dr. Luke’s Gospel.
In this series we have explored ideas of being lost and found. The Prodigal Son Got himself lost, but was able to find his ay home to a forgiving Father. Lazarus lived through a difficult life of suffering, but was found by God and received eternal comfort. Zacchaeus needed someone to believe in, and someone to believe in him. The thief on the cross appealed in a desperate hour and was found by Jesus and invited into gardens of heaven. The Crucified and Resurrected Jesus gives us all hope for life here and forever.
In today’s text we focus on the reality that there is an uneven road ahead for disciples of Jesus. Only Luke tells us this story.
Luke 24:13-24
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] 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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.”
They did not know it was Jesus! Jesus then engaged in a Bible study from the beginning! He went to evening meal with them and while breaking bread “their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” (vs 31). Luke 24:32 “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They returned to Jerusalem where other disciples reported similar experiences. Jesus is Risen Indeed! I’m so glad for this story. We are not alone in the difficult days. What can we learn about the journey ahead from these two disciples?
1. DISCIPLES TRAVEL AN UNEVEN ROAD
Disappointment. In spite of the fact of the empty tomb, they seem to believe that everything is over. Like the other disciples they have given up a lot to follow Jesus. Disappointment can enter into our lives as well. The prayer we prayed so earnestly, no answer. We’ve worked so hard to overcome a persistent sin, but fall back into it again.
Discouragement.
Luke 24:20 “…They crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
There are times when all of our hopes seem to be misplaced…Luke 24:24 …but they did not see Jesus.
Discouragement tells an untrue story. Prayer doesn’t work. We can’t overcome our struggles. Following Jesus doesn’t make life better. It’s the third day and nothing happened.
What’s been hard on your Christian journey?
Billy Graham: The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'
From this story we gain some keys to traveling the uneven road ahead.
2. HOW TO TRAVEL THE UNEVEN ROAD AHEAD
-Pay Attention to Directions (Lk 24:25-27). Amazing privilege: a Bible study from Jesus! The whole Bible is about Jesus. “We do not properly read our Bibles until we see how it connects to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The Bible tells one story with Jesus as the star.” (Anyabwile).
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…
-Pay Attention to your Traveling Companion. Hebrews 12:2-3…Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Jesus is learned about in the pages of Scripture, He is experienced as we walk with Him daily. As we face disappointment and discouragement, we turn our eyes to Jesus - all that he taught, the way he loved, the salvation he paid for with his own blood - he did it all for you!
Matthew 28:20 … And surely I am with you always…
On the uneven road ahead, pay attention to the directions and pay attention to your permanent traveling companion.
Rejoice With Fellow Travelers. When the disciples went back to Jerusalem they started sharing their story about meeting Jesus. Luke notes that those gathered in Jerusalem said, “The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Simon Peter who denied him three times just before the death of Jesus. Simon Peter who looked into the empty tomb but just wondered what happened. Yes, Simon Peter - imperfect, out spoken, beloved. When we are rejoicing with fellow travelers we can encourage and bless one another. Into this crowd of excited believers entered Jesus saying, “Peace be with you.”
Conclusion
1. There are lots of stories of being lost and found in Gospels.
2. Even those closest to Jesus experienced disappointment and discouragement.
3. Navigating our way through the uneven road ahead, remember to: pay attention to the directions, remember your traveling companion, and rejoice with fellow travelers.
Prayer: God wake us up this morning. Give us eyes that see and hearts that burn. Give us souls that year to serve and to tell the story that our Lord is alive. We know that He is alive because He has raised us up from the deadness of our sin and given us new life in Christ. Open our eyes to your word, your Son, and your truth. Draw us together as fellow travelers down uneven roads who are bound together by the love of Christ!
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Video of this message can be found by searching our YouTube Channel for Forsythe Church of Christ.
Audio can be heard via our podcast host PODBEAN.
Thanks for reading. I hope it is a blessing to you.
John
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Resources
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Luke. Holman, 2018
