Walking With Jesus

Resurrection Sunday – 2016

Title; “Walking together” “He walks with me and he talks with me…”

Text: Luke 24:13ff

Subject; why did Jesus come along side the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus?

Complement: to comfort and encourage them in their grief – by showing them he is alive!

“ Doubt and Despair are overcome by a walk and a talk with Jesus.”

Situation; After The Crucifixion gloom overshadows Jesus disciples but Rumours Of Jesus Resurrection Surface…

As we read from Luke’s gospel account beginning in verse 13, its now Sunday afternoon – I’m speaking of that “first” Sunday – resurrection day – the same day that Jesus shows himself alive to Mary – he now takes an afternoon walk from Jerusalem along the road to the village of Emmaus, 7 miles from Jerusalem.

Rumors are flying about after the horrible events of Passover– Jesus of Nazareth – the adored teacher and miracle worker had been arrested, humiliated by a mock trial and finally nailed to a Roman cross on a hill call “the skull” …they had even placed a cross on his head but it was a crown of mockery –made from twisted thorns…it seems it was one of his own that turned traitor – and ironically sealed the betrayal with a kiss. Ironic indeed. If that wasn’t bad enough – his body it seems now, is missing. Several women – Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and others too --had visited the tomb very early this morning with spices… but when they arrived the stone was rolled away and the tomb was empty. Then while they are trying to understand the mystery – two angels appear and ask the (most rhetorical not rhetorical question ever) – why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He is risen. Remember how he told you all this was to happen? Upon hearing this news the women hurried from the tomb to find the 11 – no longer 12 - to tell them the unbelievable story—and not surprisingly, the 11 could not believe it – partly because it was told to them by women – and partly because it sounded unbelievable – like nonsense actually. Thankfully, Peter thought it was definitely worth a visit – so Peter and John sprinted as fast as they could toward the tomb… they went inside. They saw the linen… indeed the tomb was empty. The burial linen remained. Peter left wondering to himself what it all meant.

{The scene shifts to a dusty road that leads from Jerusalem to the Emmaus Road…}

2 Disciples are walking and talking about the events of the “weekend”…

• “Now what do we do?”

• “Were we wrong about Jesus being the Messiah? After all, he is just the son of a carpenter from that no-name place called Nazareth. I think only rednecks live in such places.”

• Maybe the high priest was right …Maybe the romans did us a favour by killing him…

• I’m not so sure… Jesus was no ordinary preacher – nor ordinary teacher. He spoke with authority and lived with integrity. His life and teaching are a perfect match with the prophecies of the Isaiah and Daniel and Zechariah and others.

• But its over now – he’s dead.

• I’m not so sure

• In addition, … its been three days. I’m so disappointed – I was hoping he was going to change things. I’m very discouraged

• I’m also very confused.

• I just have too many questions – I can’t fit all these pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together …

***Summary – Doubt and despair overshadow these 2 disciples

Narrator; Jesus (incognito) comes beside them…

Jesus: “May I join you…I’m heading to Emmaus…What’s happening – you both seem to be into a deep conversation”… what are you discussing as you walk?

They stop dead in their tracks –

“Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Jesus; “What things?”

About Jesus of Nazareth, 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 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.” (v. 24) 3 days have past and only rumours - but no one can tell me where his body is…