Misplaced Expectations For The First Easter?
Introduction: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was one of the most significant events in all of history. It goes without saying that there were several different expectations when this event took place, depending on each person’s point of view.
To say the least, that event didn’t meet the expectations of many people, including the disciples! Two of them were walking and talking about what they had seen and heard. Under the surface, though, was a great disappointment based on what they had expected to happen—and what did happen, instead!
(Full disclosure: there is a message already on Sermon Central called “After Easter: On the Road to Emmaus” based on this text. This message is not a copy of that message but was reworked from a sermon preached at New Hope Baptist Church near Fulton, MO in April 2025.)
1 The expectations they lost
Text: Luke 24:13-24, KJV: 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 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. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 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.
All four Gospels have the account or narrative of how Jesus was crucified, and buried in Joseph’s tomb. Some of the details may vary but that is not really so important as the fact that all four of the writers agree that He—Jesus—was dead and that His body was buried.
They also, all four, proudly proclaim that He isn’t there any longer! Various groups came to the tomb, looking for the body, but they never found it. It’s simple, why they never did find the Lord’s body—it, and He, had risen from the dead!
We can look back at this and rejoice! Jesus did give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45) and now ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). I don’t know if any of them really understood all Jesus had said about His death and resurrection from the dead. Truth be told, maybe nobody else but the disciples could do this, as they had lived both before and after our Lord was crucified.
Even so, I’m sure they never forgot the promises of the Old Testament about how, one day, the King would come and set up the Kingdom. Those who took part in what’s called the “Triumphal Entry” had just days before chopped down tree limbs and threw their clothing down on the street when Jesus came into Jerusalem riding the colt (donkey). They probably expected the Kingdom was coming because the King was here!
But—we know the rest of that story, don’t we. It’s recorded in all four Gospels that Jesus was crucified and buried, and that He was raised from the dead.
That must have been small comfort, though, to those who believed in Him. They’re still huddled together somewhere in Jerusalem, thinking, what, that they might be able to escape the same death (or worse) than Jesus Himself? Or, maybe, they were waiting for the knock on the door and the arrest just like the Lord had endured? Whatever they were thinking and feeling, one thing appears to be sure, and that’s the realization all their hopes and expectations were gone.
2 The encounter as they traveled
Luke begins chapter 24 with the story of some women who had gone to Joseph’s tomb in order to anoint or place spices on the body of Jesus. Remember, they and many others had no confidence Jesus had risen from the dead. I mean, why bring burial spices, whatever they were, if there’s no body in the tomb?
The apostles did not believe a word of what they were saying, however! Luke records that what the women were saying seemed to be “idle tales (24:11)”, which some think they were (to be kind) not making much sense (see https://biblehub.com/greek/3026.htm for more information). After all, John in particular had seen Jesus die and he had seen one of the soldiers take a spear and pierce the left side of the Lord’s body. Blood and water or the fluid around the heart, which John was close enough to see, was proof positive Jesus was dead (John 19).
But to think a dead man could come back to life? Well—maybe they were so stricken with grief that they forgot about Lazarus! He, too, had died and his body was in a cave even four days after he had died. I doubt he hesitated for a moment when Jesus shouted, “Lazarus! Come forth!” No, I think they were under such emotional stress and distress that they couldn’t believe it to be true.
And with that, or for any other reason, Cleopas and another disciple decided to go back to Emmaus. This village was about seven miles from Jerusalem, maybe a two-to three-hour walk, but they started out. They didn’t know that there would be someone coming along for the trip!
It’s hard to guess who started the conversation and how it became focused on these lost or, maybe, destroyed expectations. Possibly the thoughts were common to both and, maybe, the words flowed openly between the two. Some think they were part of a group, who were leaving Jerusalem, especially if they lived within a reasonable walking distance. After all, Passover was over and the non-residents of Jerusalem wouldn’t have to come back for another six weeks or so in order to celebrate the “Feast of Weeks” or Pentecost as it was later known. So, no need to stay in Jerusalem, all the more because of what they’d seen and maybe were none too anxious to experience in a personal way.
Well, then, off they go to Emmaus, having a good old talkfest, maybe, just between the two of them. But not really. There was another Person Who came alongside, and then joined in the discussion between these two disciples.
This Person (Jesus, although they didn’t know it at the time), then joined Cleopas and the other disciple as they walked towards Emmaus. He asked them a seemingly innocent question, in so many words, “What are you two talking about? And, what’s making you look so sad?”
For me, it’s bad enough if I know I’m sad about something but it’s worse when somebody, anybody, senses it too. The two disciples—you know, I don’t know exactly how they were feeling but I have a hunch Cleopas was a little disturbed when he was questioned! I mean, it’s one thing to have a one-on-one conversation with a friend, partner, whomever, but it’s different when somebody else, and not known by either party, chimes in!
At any rate, Cleopas, maybe thrown off base a little, replied with “Are you the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about what’s been going on recently?” And many things had indeed happened! The very Messiah Whom God had promised had come, and yet was crucified! He was murdered! His body—placed in a borrowed tomb; there may not have been any other available tomb or anyone who was willing to ask for the Lord’s body. Kudos to Joseph of Arimathea for standing up for Jesus when it counted.
Then who could forget when the vail in the Temple, separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, was torn in two? For many, many, years only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies; and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16 for more info). Now there is no more separation and no need for animal sacrifices! The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL sins!
No matter how Cleopas meant the reply, Jesus took it in stride. Note how He didn’t become aggressive or argumentative, He simply followed up with “What things?” as if to say, “No, can’t say as I do know about all the stuff you’ve been talking about, so please, fill Me in!”
And that’s where these two disciples pour out their hearts to this Stranger. Verses 19 through 24 have a neat summary of what thy had expected—but never experienced—and what they had encountered in Jerusalem just before they headed home to Emmaus. They mention Calvary, the redemption of Israel, the betrayal of Jesus by their leaders, and they mention that the women found an empty tomb, and that on the third day! They knew all of this but somehow, they didn’t quite understand it.
Dr. Vance Havner wrote in one of his messages that these disciples knew their chronology and theology but no doxology (paraphrased) They had seen the recent events, after knowing the Scriptures about the Messiah, but it hadn’t yet “clicked” for them.
3 The education they received
The balance of chapter 24 explains how Jesus explained to these two “all things in the Scriptures concerning Himself (Luke 24:27, paraphrased)”. Just think of all these two believers were able to learn, directly from Jesus Himself! Someone once stated that how could it be any better, when the Author of the Scriptures is explaining His own book! This went on until they reached, probably, the outskirts of Emmaus, and Jesus acted as if He would go on, somewhere else, even though He said nothing. It is well to remember, our Lord won’t stay where He is not wanted (just look at the church of the Laodiceans in Revelation 3).
Cleopas and the other disciple did invite Jesus into the home and what a delightful story Luke added, as to how Jesus took the bread, breaking and blessing it, then opening their eyes so they could for sure know just Whom they had seen! And then, Jesus vanished.
But He reappeared to them back in Jerusalem—that, however, is another story.
In conclusion, they and many others had some real and heartfelt expectations. God the Father, though, had other plans and that plan involved the sacrifice of our Lord Himself, as He took on Himself all the sins of the world so that we might have salvation. Three days later, He arose from the grave, powerful over everything!
And yet He was humble enough to simply walk with two disciples in a long and heartfelt journey. I’m so glad that even when my expectations fall by the wayside, or crash and burn before I even get started, that there is a Savior and Friend Who is with me every step of the way. I can always count on Jesus—and you can too! Believe in Him and receive the gift of salvation!
Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)
