Lunch with Cleopas

The Encounter at Emmaus

The two disciples met JESUS on the road, but they couldn’t RECOGNIZE him.

Luke 24:16 NIV

but they were kept from recognizing him.

Luke 24:21 NIV

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.

They didn’t RECOGNIZE Jesus because they thought Jesus’ ministry had been DEFEATED.

Through the encounter, Jesus demonstrated that they had EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED to continue the ministry of Jesus.

Luke 24:19–24 NIV

“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. 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 that 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 they did not see Jesus.”

They had the GOSPEL—the TESTIMONY of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

Luke 24:25–26 NIV

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”

They had the SCRIPTURES—the history of God’s ACTIONS and PROMISES through Israel.

Luke 24:29 NIV

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.

They had the HEART to show HOSPITALITY to others.

Luke 24:30–31 NIV

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

They had the PRESENCE of Jesus in the bread and the cup.

Luke 24:32 NIV

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?”

They had the HOLY SPIRIT working on their HEARTS.

Eating with Jesus Today

God has given his people EVERYTHING THEY NEED to carry on the ministry of Jesus.

God only needs two things from us:

FAITH in his PLAN.

A HEART for HOSPITALITY.

God wants to meet YOUR neighbors at YOUR table.