The Emmaus Road Experience Luke 24v13-35

 

The Emmaus Road Experience - Luke 24v13-35

The Wondering Walk – Luke 24:13-16

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.

Confused Communication

Luke tells the story of two men, two disciples of Jesus who left Jerusalem after Sunday morning. One of them was named Cleopas, who was married to one of the Mary’s and my have been the father of James the apostle. Luke may have gotten this story from Cleopas. For whatever reason they are traveling to Emmaus, which was a small village between 7 and 8 miles from Jerusalem. (A furlong is the distance of one furrow along one side of an acre field (furrow length) about 1/8 of a mile.)

As they travel, they are wondering about the events of the last few days, probably beginning with the joy of the Triumphal Entry and ending with the crushing sorrow of the crucifixion. They waited until the sabbaths were over and then made their way home, talking, communing and reasoning as they walked. The word used here means they were tossing it back and forth.

As they walk, lost in their conversation, Jesus begins to walk with them, but their eyes, the Bible puts it were holden. Their recognizing Jesus is prevented, reserved by the Lord for a dramatic and necessary revealing. Something that happens several times after the Lord’s resurrection.

Worried Walking

Many today are walking their own Emmaus roads. Walking in confusion, walking in ignorance, walking in doubt. They have questions, they are asking these questions but they still walk in ignorance because, like the disciples they lack the full knowledge of the Resurrection. They can’t see Jesus, walking beside them, they can’t understand how a resurrection Jesus fits into the events that are happening in their life.

In fact, this isn’t just true for individual lives, its true of all events, all history, all lives and all the future, none of it makes any sense will only lead to confusion unless you see Jesus leading and guiding it. And if you don’t understand that history is actually His story then this world and your life will always have questions and always be hopelessly confused. There are no good answers without Jesus.

Colossians 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Like the song that we often sing, “Its not about me, its not about them but its all about Him!”

Back in our narrative, we see something that is characteristic of Jesus. He walks up to them and instead of immediately setting them straight and giving them all the answers, He first asks them to tell Him what is happening. Look at verse 17

The Questioning Companions  – Luke 24:17- 24

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.

Incognito Christ

Jesus enters the conversation. Jesus asks them what are you talking about? Now, If anyone knew what they were talking about, if anyone understood all the details of the events of the last few days, it was Jesus. But instead, He acts as if He is totally unaware.

You can see how amazed Cleopas is by the first question he asks in response, Luke 24:18 Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? In other words, Have you been in total isolation, all alone, while you were in Jerusalem?

Jesus’ response shows a bit of humor He says, “What things?” He had to be smiling when He said that.

So, they begin to tell their new traveling companion about “Jesus of Nazareth” about himself. He was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. They tell of the conspiracy to murder Him. They tell of their faith that he was the Messiah, the redeemer of Israel. They tell how long it’s been since he had died, they are now on the third day passed.

To add to their confusion, they heard a report that morning as they prepared to travel home. Luke 24:22-24 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.

Their explanation tells us a lot about why Jesus hid his identity from them and why they were so confused.

They called Jesus a great prophet, a miracle worker and hoped that He was the Messiah who wouldfree Israel. But they did not call Him the son of God. They did not call Him the Savior of Mankind. They did not fully understand who Jesus fully was.

Because they didn’t realize that Jesus was not just a man, or prophet and a miracle worker, they could not comprehend how He could overcome His own death. They sure didn’t understand the necessity of His death and they weren’t even sure is they could accept the testimony of the women who reported the tomb was empty and angels saying, “He is not here.”

They had only confusion instead of confidence, only fear instead of faith. They were hopeless instead of hopeful because they did not realize Jesus was alive and with them.

Seeking Answers With the Savior

Isn’t this similar to the way of Jesus in our lives?  He doesn’t barge in, he doesn’t demand, or start taking control of our life when you first meet Him. He begins quietly, slowly, almost imperceptibly and suddenly you realize, Whoa, I’m walking with the risen Savior.

That encounter with Jesus may begin with a family member, a friend, a co-worker or a shared scripture. It almost always involves questions, life questions, spiritual questions, practical question or eternal questions.

Let’s be honest, most of life doesn’t make sense most of the time. We have questions; why is sin is so strong, why does evil seems to win so often, why terrible, painful, hurtful things happen to so many good people?

These disciples had known Jesus personally, had heard him preach, watched him heal but when life took a turn they didn’t see coming, they didn’t know what to think. They had no good answers. They were left with only their confusion and their questions. And yes, that’s just like us, sometimes when our life takes those unexpected turns or worse those expected crashes.

And this is not new. We find many in the Bible, people like the psalmist Asaph, who struggled with his questions.

Psalms 73:1-14 Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.
2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.
3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4 For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm.
5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.
7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.
8 They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.
9 They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth.
10 Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.
11 And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

And when those times come in our lives, and they will always come, always, when they come we need to look around us, for whether we realize it or not, Jesus is right there walking with us and He is the only One who has the answers we so desperately need.

Transition:

Look at the answers He had for Cleopas and his traveling companion. Look at vs. 25

 The Excellent Expositor – Luke 24:25-27

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Christ Quiets The Questions

Let’s break down what Jesus says when he corrects their thinking. He says, O fools, and slow of heart to believe.

Why did Jesus call them Fools? At the Sermon on the Mount, He said to call a brother a fool is to bring judgment upon ourselves. You probably know this already but just in case you forgot, the word used in Matthew 5:22 is a different word than the one used here. The word Matthew is a word that denotes contempt, it is term reserved for the wicked and should not be used when talking about or to brother in Christ. This word has the meaning of foolishness, not understand, simply being unwise.

Slow in heart is a very appropriate phrase, we immediately know what Jesus is saying. He is talking not about their intellect now but about their heart, their faith.

Because of their misunderstanding of scripture and their hesitancy in trusting the Word of God they were left with confusion, questions, doubts and fears.

Then the Bible says that Jesus taught them, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” What a Bible lesson that must have been.

Years ago, W. A. Criswell the much-loved pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas would preach a message during their watchnight services on New Years Eve. He would begin in Genesis and trace the foreshadowing, the prophecies, and the types of Jesus Christ. He called that sermon, “The Scarlet Thread Through The Bible.” He began at 7 PM and would finish by midnight. Let’s see that a 5 hour message. I feel bad when I go over 45 minutes. I’m sure they took some breaks in that marathon message but let’s face it, but still, that is quite the feat for both the preacher and the people in the pew.

But the first “Scarlet Thread” message was taught by Jesus to these disciples on the Emmaus Road.

We don’t know where Jesus started or what all he included but the story of the Messiah and his suffering begins in Genesis and is in every book of the Old Testament. He expounded, which means He explained, He taught, He showed them plainly, what the Bible said about the Messiah and how that the Messiah had to suffer, if he was truly the Messiah.

It could have been passages like…

Genesis 3:15 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.

Numbers 21:8  8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Isaiah 53 3 He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4    Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5           But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. 6   All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7           He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth

Or Psalms 22:14-18 or  Psalms 69:20-21 or so many others. You could easily teach for hours with the OT scriptures about the coming of the Messiah and his suffering. Emmaus was 8 miles away from Jerusalem and if they walked 2 miles an hour that would be at least 4 hours that Jesus could expounded all this and yet He still doesn’t reveal himself.

Christ Quiets Our Questing Hearts

Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to walk with Jesus those hours on the Emmaus Road and hear Him teach from the Old Testament, the scriptures the Jews call the TaNak, and what Luke called, “Moses and all the prophets.” No wonder later they would say Luke 24:32 Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

When you are seeking answers, nothing will give you the warmth of hope like God’s word. Along our own Emmaus roads, we often walk in confusion, fear and hopelessness, and we try in ourselves to find the answers. We turn to friends, or family, or perhaps philosophy or science, but the only place we can turn to that will light the fire of hope and understanding is to the Word of God. If Jesus did it for their questions, shouldn’t we be doing for ours? Shouldn’t we be turning to God’s word for answers when our family is struggling with the unknown, our church is hurting from apathy, our friends are lost in sin and our nation is sinking in despair?

Turn here, turn to the word of God, it declares itself to be the hope, the help and the healing we need in times of doubt, fear and confusion.  

Psalms 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Wealth of the Bible all in my suitcase

I was quite a fan of Tennessee Ernie Ford when I was little because my grandfather left me a record player and an album of hymns by Tennessee Ernie. In an introduction to a hymn, he begins with this, “ The story is told of a young man who was preparing for a long trip. He told his friend, “I am just about packed. I only have to put in a guidebook, a mirror, a microscope, a lamp, a telescope, a volume of fine poetry, a package of old letters, a few biographies, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of books I’ve been studying.” “But you can’t get all that into your bag,” said his friend.  “Oh, yes I can,” he replied. “It doesn’t take much room.” With that, he placed his Bible in a corner of his suitcase and closed the lid.”

The answers you need are in the book, look to the book and find them.

Through all this lesson, Jesus does not reveal himself nor do the disciples recognize Him. We are not told anything but that “their eyes were holden.” I think that means this is something God did as a way of making Jesus’ resurrection all the more amazing and real to them. But those holden eyes are about to be released in another special characteristic of Jesus. Look at vs 28.

Conclusion: The Broken Bread – Luke 24:28-34

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, (absolutely, without a doubt, literally and positively) and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Dining With the Disciples

Jesus took the bread, broke and blessed it. Again, this is such a characteristic of Jesus. The ceremony of breaking the bread and asking the blessing was the responsibility of the master of the home, just as it is today, I might add. When Jesus did it, instead of one of whose home it was, He showed that He was the Master of this home. He was the master of these disciples.

Jesus asked the blessing, “Blessed art Thou, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” It was then they recognized Him. They saw Him as the living, risen Savior, when He took His place as Master and Lord of their lives. Now they fully knew Jesus of Nazareth, Lord of Lord, Son of God, Savior of mankind, the conqueror of death.

Mastered by The Master

If you are struggling with questions, dealing with the doubts, fighting the fears of life, then you need to an Emmaus Road experience like those disciples.

You need Jesus walking beside you quiet your questions, you need His word to calm your confusion and you need to recognize Jesus. See him as Master and Lord of your life and your home. When Jesus broke the bread that day, he also broke through their doubts and fears. And when Jesus is Lord of your life, then this life and the life to come will hold no doubts or fear for you.