On the road to Emmaus
Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Introduction
• Illustration
I recently read the legend of the king who decided to set aside a special day to honour his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, there was a large gathering in the palace courtyard. Four finalists were brought forward, and from these four, the king would select the winner.
The first person presented was a wealthy philanthropist. The king was told that this man was highly deserving of the honour because of his humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor.
The second person was a celebrated physician. The king was told that this doctor was highly deserving of the honour because he had rendered faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years.
The third person was a distinguished judge. The king was told that the judge was worthy because he was noted for his wisdom, his fairness, and his brilliant decisions.
The fourth person presented was an elderly woman. Everyone was quite surprised to see her there, because her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honoured as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so much? Even so, there
was something about her the look of love in her face, the understanding in her eyes, her quiet confidence.
The king was intrigued, to say the least, and somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. The answer came: "You see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge? Well, she was their teacher!" That woman had no wealth, no fortune, and no title, but she had unselfishly given her life to produce great people.
• There is nothing more powerful or more Christlike than sacrificial love. The king could not see the value in the humble lady. He missed the significance of the teacher. Often we miss
the value of those around us. I think it would surprise us to know how often we miss the presence of Christ just as Cleopas and his brother missed the significance of the stranger on the road to Emmaus.
• So then. On the road to Emmaus don’t miss....
1. The significance of the resurrection: It transforms us
• Look closely at what happens to these two people as they journey from Jerusalem to their home in the city of Emmaus seven miles away. A stranger, whom we know is Jesus, joins them. He asks them what they are talking about and they
stop dead in their tracks. They can hardly bring themselves to discuss it they are so saddened by the events of the last three days.
• Their friend, their master, their rabbi, the one they describe as a mighty prophet, has been unjustly condemned to death and violently killed on a cross. They say to their companion, "Are you the only person in all of Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place?" This would be enough to unsettle anyone but new and disturbing information is being told.
• Reports about his tomb being empty and the crazy notions of some who say he is alive.
• Listen to what happens next on that dusty road at
the end of the day. This is the part that intrigues me. Jesus begins to interpret the Old Testament and explains to them how all these things were spoken of by Moses and the Prophets. He opens the Scriptures to them. He transforms their thinking.
• They had no idea these things were supposed to take place. They had concluded that Jesus’ mission had failed. They now understand that the last three days was the plan all along.
• Finally the two invite Jesus into their home. He has dinner with them. Again Jesus transformed the event. There at that ordinary dinner at the end of the day this stranger takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, gives it to them and their eyes are opened. In that moment they were transformed.
• Illustration
There’s a story about a young boy named Walter Elias. Born in the city, his parents one day moved out to the country to become farmers. Walter had a vivid imagination and the farm was the perfect place for a young boy and a wondering mind. One day in the apple orchard he was amazed when he saw
sitting on a branch of one of the apple trees an owl. He just stood there and stared at the owl. He thought about what his father had told him about owls: owls always rested during the day because they hunted throughout the night. This owl was asleep. He also thought that this owl might make a great pet.
Being careful not to make any noises he stepped over sticks and leaves. The owl was in a deep sleep because it never heard Walter Elias walking toward it. Finally, standing under the owl, he reached up and grabbed the owl by the legs. Now, the events that followed are difficult to explain. Suddenly everything was utter chaos. The owl came to life. Walter’s thoughts about keeping the bird as a pet were quickly forgotten. The air filled with wings, and feathers, and screaming. In the excitement Walter held the legs tighter. And in his panic, Walter Elias, still holding on to the owl, threw it to the ground and stomped it to death. After things calmed down, Walter looked at the now dead and bloody bird and began to cry. He ran back to the farm, obtained a shovel, and buried the owl in the orchard.
At night he would dream of that owl. As the years passed he never got over what had happened that summer day. Deep down it affected him for the rest of his life. As an older man he said he never, ever killed anything again. Do you see it? Something significant happened after that event. Something that
Walter didn’t miss. Something which transformed Walter Elias, something that redeemed him from the pit of despair, something that resurrected him, something that made Walter Elias into someone who we all have experienced in some way. You see his name changed to Walt Disney who created Mickey Mouse, Goofy and all those wonderful cartoon animals.
2. The significance of the resurrection: It convicts us (v.32)
• The two disciples, when they had realised who Jesus was and were amazed at the great news, the said: "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?"
• They had realised what all of the Old Testament prophecies were about and they had to realise that they were wrong in thinking that Jesus was dead and that all hope was gone.
• That is what conviction is all about, realising that we are wrong about something and believe in it enough to change us. The two disciples could have said, well so what Jesus is back from the dead but he is still not going to wipe out the Romans.
• They believed enough in the fact that Jesus had risen and that he died for a reason. They realised that Jesus was the only one who could save them from something far worse than oppression from a government but from oppression from the Devil.
• A man that we all should know is John Wesley; he is the founder of the Methodist church. He was an Anglican priest who was a very good man, but he came to a point at which he also had a burning heart he was convicted that he was loved by God for who he really was.
• We should come to the point at which we realise that there is nothing for us to do but to repent and follow Jesus.
• We need to realise the things that we do and be able to turn from those things and follow Jesus.
• There are of coarse many things, each of us has it. Why are we here today? Why do we come to church? What will we do when we leave here?
• Has the resurrection of Jesus made any difference in our lives…are we convicted that Jesus is our master and that we should live accordingly?
• Let our hearts burn too.
3. The significance of the resurrection: It makes us witnesses (v.33)
• Of coarse once we are transformed and once we are convicted there is no reason that we should keep it to ourselves.
• Once to two disciples had realised that they had just met with the risen Lord they got up and went back to Jerusalem to tell the others.
• It was dark and they had already decided earlier that they should settle down and eat. They didn’t really feel like walking any more.
• But they got up and they walked the 7 km (from here to Nigel) to tell the others.
• They had become witnesses.
• What about us? When we hear good news what do we do…if I had to win a car or win money in a competition, I’m sure I won’t be able to keep it quiet.
• Well we have heard the good news and experienced it. The resurrection has changed our lives and has convicted us. We need to be able to go out and tells others.
• How do we do that, well the first step is that we live our lives so that people can see we’re different. That means that we don’t allow anything else to be our God. Alcohol should not rule our lives, gambling (including the lotto) should not control our lives. Power over others (women abuse) should not rule our lives.
• When people see us they should see Jesus, we should be like Jesus…that is the way.
• We cannot tell people one thing and live another.
• Saying kind words to people make a difference, reaching out to people in need…that is all being a witness to Jesus.
Conclusion
• I want to challenge us today that we should not live our lives without allow the resurrection be apart of it.
• That is the most important thing about Christianity…resurrection…power over death!
• It must transform us, convict us and make disciples of us.
Amen
