LUKE 24:13-35
ON THE ROAD
Life of Christ #58
Ruth Harms Calkin wrote:
Lord, I’m drowning
In a sea of perplexity.
Waves of confusion
Crash over me.
I’m too weak
To shout for help.
Either quiet the waves
Or lift me above them—
It’s too late
To learn to swim.
—Ruth Harms Calkin, Tell Me Again Lord, I Forget
· Have you ever felt like you were drowning in pain, confusion, and or overwhelming problems?
· Have you ever felt like you were drowning in a sea of sorrow?
· Have you ever been at a point where you didn’t know the end from the beginning or the beginning from the end?
· Have you ever been overwhelmed with guilt or regret?
· Have you ever felt like the only “light at the end of the tunnel” was the light of an oncoming freight train?
· Have you ever been confronted with news that you just couldn’t begin to digest or understand?
If you have experienced any of the things that I just mentioned, you can begin to understand how Jesus’ disciples felt after the Lord Jesus had been crucified.
They were confused.
They were hurt.
They were disillusioned.
They were defeated.
They were guilt-ridden.
Then, add to this an empty tomb and an appearance of angels announcing the resurrection, and you have some real perplexed people on your hands!
Two such perplexed people were a man named Cleopas, and an unnamed follower of the Lord Jesus, perhaps it was his wife. On the Sunday after the crucifixion these two disciples of Jesus took about a 7 mile journey to a place called Emmaus. It is on this journey that we are told that “Jesus himself drew near and went with them.” We are also told that “…their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”
Last week in our study of the Life of Christ we saw the events that took place at the tomb on Easter Sunday Morning. This week we see Jesus “On the Road” as he ministers to hurting, confused, and disillusioned disciples.
As we watch Jesus minister to these disciples, we will be reminded of what Jesus does for us in our times of trouble.
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
JESUS REBUKES – Vss. 25-26
JESUS INSTRUCTS – Vs. 27
JESUS APPEARS – Vss. 28-35
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
Vss. 13-14 – The events of the last few days were discussed by Cleopas and his companion. You can imagine that it was about all they could talk about. These were troubling events, and often when we are troubled, we will talk about those things which are on our minds.
Vs. 15 – Jesus came up to them and walked with them.
He probably appeared to be another pilgrim on his way home from the Passover feast in Jerusalem.
Vs. 16 – They were supernaturally prevented from knowing who Jesus was.
Mark 16:12 - After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
We need to remember that Jesus is with us no matter where we go. His Spirit has taken up residence inside of us. He is with us no matter what.
Matthew 28:20 - …and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Vs. 17 – Jesus asked them, “What are you talking about that you are so sad about?”
Did Jesus know the answer to His question before He asked it? Of course he did!
Why then did He ask it? He wanted them to talk to Him. He was the one with the answer to their sorrow.
You have been told since you were little that you can talk to God and/or Jesus whenever you have a need. In fact, the Bible often tells us to pour our hearts out to God.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit want you to pray!
1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Hebrews 4:14-16 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. [15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Vs. 18 – Cleopas is incredulous! He is amazed that even a stranger in Jerusalem hadn’t heard of what had gone on in Jerusalem over the last few days.
When President Kennedy was assassinated everyone knew about it.
When President Nixon resigned everyone knew about it.
When the World Trade Buildings and Pentagon were attacked on “9/11” everyone knew about it.
And when Jesus was arrested and crucified, everyone knew about it.
Vs. 19 – Jesus is drawing the two disciples out. He wants them to talk, to explain what is troubling him.
We need to realize that Jesus wants us to talk because He will listen as we pour out our hearts to Him.
They begin by saying that the things concerned Jesus of Nazareth. He calls Jesus a prophet “mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” Indeed Jesus was mighty in word and deed!
Vs. 20 – These disciples blame the chief priests and rulers of the people for the death of Jesus.
Weren’t Pilate and therefore the Roman government responsible too?
Yes they were.
But responsibility for the death of Jesus began with the chief priests and rulers who had Jesus betrayed, arrested, tried, and carted off to Pilate to be condemned and crucified, because they did not have the authority to put anyone to death.
Allow me to remind you that it was not just these people who put Jesus to death. It was you and I who also put Jesus on the cross. He went because of our sins!
Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Vs. 21 – Here Cleopas expresses disillusionment. They had thought that Jesus was Israel’s redeemer. They had believed that He was the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. They expected Him to redeem Israel.
They were expecting Jesus to establish the Kingdom of God on earth and to overthrow the Roman bondage they were under.
All the hopes of the followers of Jesus were dashed. They were a defeated group!
Vss. 21-24 – There was another problem. It was the third day. The body was missing. Some of the believing women had seen angles that proclaimed that Jesus was alive. The tomb was checked by the men and found to be empty indeed. But they had not seen Jesus.
Cleopas was speaking. Jesus listened. Jesus allowed the man to talk and get it all out, frustration and all.
Whenever you are frustrated and defeated like Cleopas, do what Cleopas did. Pour out that frustration before the Lord.
He will hear, and He will answer.
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
JESUS REBUKES – Vss. 25-26
Vs. 25 – There are times in our lives when we need a good, strong rebuke! Nothing but a strong reprimand will do to get us straightened out!
Jesus tells them that they are foolish and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets had spoken. They had believed some of it, but not all of it!
When we do not believe the word of God in the heart we are foolish! When we do not believe all that God has said we are foolish!
Jesus is rebuking their unbelief!
How often Jesus had to rebuke the unbelief of the disciples!
How often the prophets had to rebuke Israel for her unbelief!
How often as we read the Word of God and hear sermons and Sunday School lessons are we rebuked for our own unbelief!
All too often, we are selective believers.
We do not believe the whole Bible, just the parts we like!
We might be quick to believe John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
We might be slow to believe Luke 9:23-24, And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. [24] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
We might be quick to believe Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
We might be slow to believe John 14:15 - If ye love me, keep my commandments.
We might be quick to believe Exodus 20:13 - Thou shalt not kill.
We might be slow to believe Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
We might be quick to believe Acts 16:31 - And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
We might be slow to believe Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The same is true of the sermons and Bible lessons you hear. You are quick to hear some things, and slow to hear others. That is foolish! That is sin! Jesus rebukes it!
Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Make sure that you believe all that the prophets have spoken. Allow Jesus to rebuke you through His Word and through his pastors and teachers.
Vs. 26 – Jesus is clearly teaching that the Old Testament taught that the Messiah would suffer and enter into His glory. I think of a classic example of this in Isaiah 53.
Isaiah 53:10-12 - Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. [11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
My friend, when you need rebuking, the Lord Jesus will rebuke through His Holy Spirit, through His Word, and through His servants.
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
JESUS REBUKES – Vss. 25-26
JESUS INSTRUCTS – Vs. 27
Vs. 27 – I’ve heard some pretty good sermons in my time
I’ve sat in on some excellent Bible studies.
But this message was one that I wish I had heard in person.
Jesus went through the Old Testament Scriptures, simply explaining how they point to Himself.
It is a good possibility that Jesus started with the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 22:8 - And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.
I imagine that Jesus talked about the Passover Lamb, and how the sacrifices that God required of the Jews were pictures of His own sacrifice for sin.
Surely Jesus explained Psalm 22 and pointed to His words on the cross that were a fulfillment of that prophecy.
Psalm 22:1 - My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?...
There are many references to Christ in the prophets besides Isaiah 53. Here are a couple more:
Isaiah 52:13-15 - Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. [14] As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: [15] So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Zechariah. 12:10 - And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
Jesus took the time to instruct these men thoroughly in the Word of God concerning Himself.
There is no Bible teacher or preacher in the world like the Lord Jesus. However God has given to the church gifted men who are able to teach and preach God’s Word.
Ephesians 4:11-12 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; [12] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
I am one of those who has been gifted and called to preach and teach. It is an awesome responsibility.
2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
James 3:1 – Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. (N.A.S.B.)
God has sent you preachers and teachers of the Word. It is your responsibility to listen and obey what God’s Word says!
Hebrews 13:17 - Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
JESUS REBUKES – Vss. 25-26
JESUS INSTRUCTS – Vs. 27
JESUS APPEARS – Vss. 28-35
Vs. 28-29 – Bible Class was over. They had arrived in Emmaus. Jesus as if he acted to go further, but they compelled him to stay and eat with them. This was traditional hospitality.
Vss. 30-31 – Jesus appeared to them as they ate. He then vanished.
Notice that Jesus had made himself known through the Word, and then they saw Him clearly.
Vs. 32 – Notice the effect God’s word has when we are receptive to it! It burns within us.
It burns with conviction.
It burns with comfort.
It burns with commitment.
It burns with joy.
And you will see Jesus clearly the more you read, listen to, and apply God’s Word to your life. He will appear to you!
Vss. 33-35 – Immediately, they returned to Jerusalem to report that Jesus had risen indeed.
They went back to share what they had seen and heard!
And you my friend can not share what you have not seen.
For you to share your faith, you must have faith.
For you to share the Scriptures with those who need it, you need to see Jesus in the Scriptures.
ON THE ROAD:
JESUS LISTENS – Vss. 13-24
JESUS REBUKES – Vss. 25-26
JESUS INSTRUCTS – Vs. 27
JESUS APPEARS – Vss. 28-35