Luke 24:13-35
13. 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.
It’s the third day since Jesus died by crucifixion, on a cross, like a murdering thief.
Buried in a borrowed tomb.
It’s the third day. But we are not in Jerusalem gathered in the Garden of Gethsemane, or one of Jesus’ other more secret recreational sites, for a dinner on the ground Easter celebration.
We do not find the disciples gathered in the upper room for a Sunrise surprise party—
We do not see banners—plastered with gigantic red letters that read—"Welcome back Jesus" stretching across main street in Jerusalem.
It’s the third day…and here we find ourselves, in Luke chapter 24, here with two of Jesus’ disciples on their way out of town…leaving Jerusalem… on the road to Emmaus.
It is about 5:00 in the evening as they walk—huddled close together. They talk frantically between themselves in excited, hushed tones about all that has happened in the last few days:
"Did you see? Did you see the way Peter denied ever knowing him?"
"Did you see the way the Master looked at him…that looking of knowing….that look of forgiveness…that look of grief…I’ve never seen a look like it. And probably never will again."
"Did you see how they beat him with the whip until his back was nothing more than bloodied, dangling strips of meat?"
"Did you see tears welling up in the eyes of the centurion whose servant Jesus healed?"
"Can you believe how the crowd shouted for Bararbas’ release?"
"Can you believe how they turned on Jesus?"
"Can you believe some of the faces there were some of the same faces I know I saw among the 5,000…the same faces shoving fish and bread in their mouths till they had their fill when Jesus was teaching on the hillside—cursing and spitting on him as he struggled up that hill…"
"Did you wince, like I did, every time the hammer struck the nails…piercing through his wrists and the soft tops of his feet….again…and again….and again…and again ….and again…and again."
"Did you hear his words," My God , My God, why have you forsaken me? Maybe it’s true…Maybe he wasn’t the Chosen One… After all, it’s the third day…"
And here, a stranger enters into the conversation with these two disciples. The one, we are told, is named Cleopas (v. 18). The other’s name is not mentioned. But I would offer you this advice: Let each of you take his place as we examine this passage tonight. Insert your name in place of the unnamed disciple.
Verse 16 let’s us in on a little secret. These two disciples are now in the presence of the almighty God. But they are kept from recognizing him. Why? Why couldn’t they see Jesus for who He was?
The stranger asks simply, "What are you talking about?"
At this they stopped dead in their tracks. Their eyes staring at the ground.
V. 18 "…Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
"What rock did you crawl out from under?" "You must have just gotten here, friend!" "Why, the whole city is talking about all the things that have happened in the last few days."
Jesus asks simply, "what things?"
Verse 19—"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."
Now do you understand why they didn’t know it was Jesus standing right there beside them?
In verse 19 we see that they had resigned themselves to believe Jesus was just a Prophet…a Prophet gently tucked away into a rich man’s grave.
There are many long-faced…despairing…deeply sad people walking around today because they can’t see Jesus walking right there beside them! The truth is: if you don’t recognize him as a living Lord —you won’t recognize Him at all.
These sad, despairing people make the same mistake as those two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They see Jesus as an ancient prophet tucked away into a tomb a long time ago…as an ethics professor…a good teacher from 2000 years ago with a lot of well-meaning ideas and good intentions that just don’t work out in the real world. A good role model… A good man…Just a prophet of old…So they miss the company of the living Lord that walks along side them each and every day.
In verse 21 we read that they "had hoped" he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. They had hoped he was the Messiah. They had hoped he was going to change their world.
It’s just the same today. Many are angry with God. They had hoped that Jesus would save them from themselves; from their bad decisions. But just like those two disciples…they are frustrated because Jesus hasn’t dealt with the troubles in their life exactly the way they expected Him to. He hasn’t changed their world according to their own personal plan. So Jesus becomes a past tense person in their hearts. "I had hoped He would redeem me," they say to themselves; and struggle on day after day after day under the weight of their own selfish desires; their own sinful nature, limping along as much as their own puny spiritual strength can drag them. Jesus is dead to them. The Transforming power of the Spirit of Christ is not alive inside them.
Verses 21-24 are the most disturbing of all. Do you know why?
"It’s the third day." They knew something exciting. Something new. Something powerful was supposed to take place. They knew that something was going to happen on the third day. But they didn’t know what.
And they had heard the gospel message! The good news! Jesus is alive!
But they weren’t sure. Maybe those women were just seeing things. You know how emotional women can be. Besides, some of our companions went to check it out. It was just like the women said. But there was no Jesus there.
Of course not! There was no Jesus there….Jesus was here! Walking beside them….Walking right along side them in their disbelief, their disappointment, their doubts. He was there all along. Just waiting to be recognized! Just waiting …waiting till they who gazed on him…those who talked with him…those that he stood right by…listening with patience to every word…every sorrow…every moment of disappointment…until they might be moved somehow to something of a spiritual harmony…waiting for their eyes to open wide with realization. You see they knew Jesus the man. The knew Jesus and his words. But they had never known him yet as the risen savior—the resurrected lord.
Why were they looking for the living among the dead? Isn’t that the same question the angel asked the women at the tomb back in verse 5. Why were they looking for the living among the dead? It’s just the same today. People are looking for Jesus in all the wrong places. All the places they expect him to be. They look for him on Television. They look for him in Mom and Dad’s religion. They look for him in Grandma’s Bible. They look for him among their non-Christian friends. They look for him in a bottle… in an empty church…in the clouds…in the words of a country song…They try to find him in church positions: deacon, Sunday school teacher…chairman of the committee forming committee to review old committees committee…They look for him in college. They look for him in academics, achievement, success, prosperity… Let me tell you…If you’re looking for a rose you’ve got to look among the thorns. What do you mean pastor? I mean, if you want to find Jesus you have to look long and hard into your heart. This is the temple of God. You can’t get Jesus by proxy. You can’t find him in your Pastor’s heart or in your Sunday School teacher’s life. There are no piggy-back rides into heaven. Remember the old Hymn: "I serve a risen savior…he’s in the world today…I know that he is living whatever men may say…I see his hand of mercy….I hear his voice of cheer…and just the time I need him he’s always near…he lives he lives…Christ Jesus lives today…He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way….He lives He lives… salvation to impart…you ask me how I know he lives…he lives (where?) within my heart..
But you have to look deep into your heart. Is he there? Is the lord of life living there. It’s a scary dark, cluttered old cellar where I’m telling you to look. But if you open that door and you don’t see Jesus, then you have no part of eternal life…you have no part of the joy and peace in this life. You have to look deep into that dark basement of the soul. What is it that you find on those dusty shelves…what do you see as you tear away the cobwebs? Anger? hate? …disappointment…doubt…disbelief…guilt…shame…foolishness?
Verse 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.
Jesus says to those disciples…Listen…I’m gonna help you find me. In the beginning was the Word. And the was with God and the word was God. And so the Word Of God reveals Himself in the pages of scripture He inspired.
In my army days we practiced a skill called land navigation. Many times the training required us to take a map and a compass and find the first site based on the coordinates we were given. At that site were the coordinates for the next site…and so on… and so on…until at last, at the final site, we found what it was we were looking for.
Jesus is doing that with these disciples. He’s taking them through the OT scriptures, starting with Moses and dropping little arrow markers—No doubt he told them the same thing he told Nicodemus
(Numbers 21:9)
John 3:14-15
14. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
15. that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
He must have explained
Leviticus 16:7-10
Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
8. He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.
9. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering.
10. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement
The Messiah is both the final sacrifice for all sins –sacrificed to God AND the scapegoat presented alive before the throne of God for atonement!
If you know anything about the crucifixion process, you know that most men died of suffocation before they bled to death. He was hung in such a way that all the weight of his body pulled on his wrists and stretched the diaphragm. So much so that most all or all of the bones were pulled out of joint. If a man on the cross wanted to speak he had to literally dig his heels into the beam and push himself up to get enough breath to speak. My personal conviction is that Jesus was a preacher—even to the very last. While some pastors and scholars try to explain away, "Eloi, Eloi lama sabachthani" My God My God why have you forsaken me…as God, unable to look on sin, turning his face away from Jesus as he took on the sin of the world…I believe with all my heart that Jesus was saying…with a horrible shortness of breath…saying in few words from the cross what he able to expound to the disciples here on the road to Emmaus…He was saying to those who cried, "You’re the messiah? Prove it!" Look to the Law and the Prophets and you will find me there! The religious leaders—standing around—gloating. Their skin must have turned clammy white—because they would have known to what Old Testament passage Jesus was quoting when he cried—My God My God! This was not a wail of doubt. This was not a cry of despair. This was a cry of fulfillment. And the scribes and the teachers of the Law knew exactly what I am about to share with you…
Psalm 22, written several hundred years before the first person was ever crucified…centuries before Christ ever walked the Via de larosa… It is eerie in its accuracy…in its prophetic power
Psalm 22..it begins
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?… .
6. I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.
7. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:
8. "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." …
13. Roaring lions tearing their prey, open their mouths wide against me.
14. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.
15. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.
16. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
17. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.
18. They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing…
Christ is saying do you see now the suffering messiah. Don’t you understand now that the Chosen One had to suffer these things and then enter his glory…
Now doubt he explained
Isaiah 53
1. Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2. He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth…
On and on, scriptures too numerous to find and read tonight, passage after passage Christ revealed himself to those on the road to Emmaus.
Beginning in Verse 28
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?"
Ladies and gentlemen—I put it to you now. There are those here tonight who know these verses better than they are willing to let on. You know that burning. You know that feeling. It happens when you sit in church and the truth is preached from the pulpit. You feel it at the words of a spouse…a neighbor… a son or daughter…a grandfather…a mother… Let me tell you now…It’s Jesus. Right there. Right beside you. Walking with you on whatever road you’re on. He’s speaking to you through the words and lives of those who know him. He’s waiting to break bread with you. Eager for you to see him as he is! Put away your disappointment with church people, pious people, back-slidden people. Put away your disbelief that He really has the power to change lives…put away your doubt that He is truly alive. It’s the third day. He’s alive! He’s standing right beside you—waiting for you to recognize him as the transfigured Lord of life! Savior. Won’t you turn your eyes on Jesus tonight and see him, at last, as the Lord of your life…Redeemer…Savior…Friend….
