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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah 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 continued on 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.
There are some Well Known Christians
Mother Teresa - A Catholic nun and missionary who dedicated her life to serving the poor and sick in India.
Martin Luther - A German theologian who is credited with initiating the Protestant Reformation.
Billy Graham - An American evangelist who preached to millions of people around the world and is considered one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.
C.S. Lewis - A British author and theologian who wrote many books, including "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "Mere Christianity."
Pope Francis - The current leader of the Catholic Church and one of the most prominent religious figures in the world today.
Rick Warren - An American pastor and author who founded Saddleback Church and wrote the best-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life."
John Wesley - An 18th-century English preacher and theologian who founded the Methodist movement.
There are local names as well, in this area if we were to call names like Hobbs, Veasey, Warren, Winfield, and Pierson, that would mean something to the members of this church. Some people are famous some are not, but we join the scriptures looking at 2 people on a walk to Emmaus and they run into the most famous person in Christianity of all, but they don't recognize him.
The Walk to Emmaus is only in the Gospel of Luke a walk by Cleopas and another unnamed disciple.
Jesus meets some of his followers as they are on the way to a small village from Jerusalem. It’s not a short walk, so it wasn’t a short talk, as you’ll see in the text. Jerusalem is anywhere from 7 miles to 20 miles away from Emmaus. The passage begins with two people who had been among the disciples who were looking for Jesus at the empty tomb. We don’t know why they are going to Emmaus, perhaps it was their hometown? The movement toward Emmaus is probably not as significant as the movement from Jerusalem.
A. The reunion with Jesus (24:13-16): These two believers are joined by the Savior.
1. Their discussion (23:13-14): They are talking about the Crucifixion.
2. Their darkness (24:15-16): Neither disciple recognizes the stranger who joins them. (Out of Context)
B. The request from Jesus (24:17): He asks why they are so sad.
C. The reply to Jesus (24:18-24)
1. They tell him their problem (24:18-21): The Crucifixion has dashed their hopes that perhaps Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah!
2. They tell him their puzzle (24:22-24): Some women found his tomb empty and were told by two angels that he has risen!
D. The rebuke by Jesus (24:25-27)
1. Their ignorance of the Scriptures (24:25): He says they have forgotten the prophecies concerning his death and resurrection.
Luke leaves us wondering but it’s possible that Jesus reminded them of passages like Deut. 18:18 that says
“I will raise up for them a prophet, like you among your people, I will put my own words in the mouth of the prophet who shall speak to them everything that I command.”
Or he might have reminded them of Isaiah 53:13-14 that reads: See my servant shall be exalted and lifted up…. And many were astonished at him…
Or Isaiah 53 that reminds us that he poured out himself to death, was numbered among the transgressors yet bore the sin of many….
2. His interpretation of the Scriptures (24:26-27): He now reviews for them all the Old Testament passages which speak of him.
E. The recognition of Jesus (24:28-35)
1. The meal (24:28-31a)
a. The invitation (24:28-29): The two disciples invite Jesus to join them for a meal.
b. The revelation (24:30-31a): After he prays, Jesus distributes the bread. At that moment they recognize him!
We can find Jesus in places all the time and not recognize him.
Jesus lives and abides with us and can be found in us… but not just us… the churches is not an exclusive club. No, Jesus meets us where we are…. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways… …sometimes in the most unexpected people… sometimes out context…
2. The miracle (24:31b): He suddenly disappears out of sight!
3. The meditation (24:32): They reflect, "Didn't our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?"
4. The mission (24:33-35): The two disciples now return to Jerusalem and report all this to the apostles!
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