Responding to the Resurrected Christ

Open: The Greek philosopher Socrates stated, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” The general intent behind that statement, as I understand it, is that a person needs to understand what is important in life and then pursue those things.

In that thought of understanding and pursuing the important things in life, I want to offer a question for reflection: “ Why are you here this morning?” I don’t necessarily want you to answer that question in terms of just today. (It’s Easter Sunday, mom asked/told me to get up, invited by a friend, etc.) I want you to consider why you are attending a Christian Church, why you are involved, at some level, in the worship of Christianity at all.

Transition: I believe the answer to that question is closely tied to the topic of this morning’s message. We will be examining the Resurrection of Jesus this morning from the perspective of 2 followers of Jesus that were discussing the events of that first Resurrection Sunday on their way home. This account is found in the 24th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. We are going to see how these 2 dejected travellers are transformed when they encounter the Risen Christ on the Road to Emmaus.

READ the Text: Luke 24:13-35.

As we unpack this text together, I want you to think about the various ways we can respond to the Resurrection accounts.

We can question the account of the Resurrection more fully (Luke 24:13-24)

Explanation: These 2 disciples were walking home to Emmaus from Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon. They were most likely with Jesus for at least some of the events of Passion Week (the distance between Emmaus & Jerusalem is about 7 miles ~ 2 to 3 hours walk). They may have witnessed part of the trial, and most likely the Crucifixion. They may have stayed in Jerusalem to talk with the other disciples about their next steps. Whether or not they were with the others, they came to the conclusion that their hopes were over so they were going to the house. On the way home they were going back over the events of the catastrophe.

Illustrate: human tendency to re-enact a loss. “If only Johnson had caught that pass in the end zone;” “we wouldn’t have lost if he hadn’t taken the stand and testified - he was a terrible witness and lost his own case;” “you remember when he said that in the debate? - that’s really when he lost the election!”

Argument: The 2 disciples were doing much the same. They were talking about what had taken place over the last few days when Jesus overtakes them on the road. These 2 knew Jesus - knew His looks and the sound of His voice, BUT God prevented them from recognizing Jesus (v. 16). God did so in order that Jesus could help them come to terms with what they were processing.

Overhearing their conversation and seeing their sadness, Jesus asks them what they had been discussing (v. 17). They were shocked by His question and Cleopas (the only one of the 2 that is named) asked Jesus if He was a stranger to Jerusalem. The clear implication is that the whole city was talking about the arrest and Crucifixion of Christ.

Question: Are you talking about Jesus with others? Is He part of your daily conversation?

Jesus is the Master at using another question to answer a question, so He simply responds, “what things?” (v. 19). The 2 then give him a rundown of current events (vv. 20-24)

The story is about Jesus of Nazareth who was a Prophet

This Jesus was a miracle worker who did mighty deeds and was a great teacher

Jesus was a public figure - He operated in front of God and the people

Jesus was handed over by His own - the Pharisees and the Jewish elders

Jesus was condemned and then executed by Crucifixion

Then the disciples give some personal commentary on the story. They relate their personal disappointment in Jesus’ death. They are disappointed because they had hoped that He was the long-promised Messiah. Note that they have given up and gone home even though:

They were aware that it was the 3rd day since Jesus had died. As His followers, they knew about His predictions of rising on the third day, AND

they had listened to the report of the women who had gone to the tomb. They heard the report the ladies gave about the angel who had told them that Jesus had risen (Luke 24:5-8); AND

they also heard the reports from Peter and John about going to the tomb and finding it empty

Application: It is possible to have the facts, but to lack the faith. There are millions of people who are familiar with the facts surrounding the Resurrection of Jesus. The evidence is not hidden, and all the other ‘theories’ that deny the supernatural are far-fetched and have no supporting evidence. The Christian is on solid ground when affirming the teaching of the Resurrection. If you do not yet believe, I challenge you to look more fully at the accounts of the Resurrection. I also want to stress that no one is ever REASONED into the Kingdom - one must have faith (Hebrews 11:6)

We can accept the Sufficiency of the Scriptures ( Luke 24:25-27)

Explanation: Jesus responds with a rebuke - O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe.” Jesus rebuked them because they should have known because of the OT Scriptures they already had along with His own teaching (part of our NT). They had what they needed!

In the words of a biblical commentator named Constable, “They were also slow to believe what they did know that the former prophets had revealed. They had overlooked the prophecies about the Messiah having to suffer preferring rather to focus only on those that predicted His glorification. Their error constitutes a warning for all subsequent disciples. All Scripture is profitable. We should not slight any part of it but should strive for a comprehensive understanding of its teaching. If these disciples had understood and believed what the Old Testament revealed, they would not have felt depressed but would have been full of joy”. (Constable’s commentary on Luke 24:25 accessed through preceptaustin.com)

Jesus proceeded to give these 2 an in-depth OT Bible Study. He gave an overview of the Scriptures and demonstrated how the entirety of the Word points to Him. Contrary to popular belief, the Bible is not primarily a “how to” book for us to have a great life in terms of material possessions

Argument: Humans in the 21 century are blessed in many ways, not the least is the access we have to the word of God. We that live in the West have zero excuse for not knowing the Word. We have multiple ways of accessing the text and we are without excuse.

Application: God has decreed that Christianity would grow through the Word. Jesus gave the disciples this mandate to His followers immediately prior to Ascending to Heaven (Matt 28:18-20) and Paul affirms that faith will come through the proclamation of the Word (Romans 10:14-15)

We can grow in our understanding of the Faith as we worship together (Luke 24:28-32)

Explanation: As they approached their home, these 2 disciples invited Jesus to stay with them. He accepted their offer and they fixed a meal to share to share with their guest. Jesus is the One who “took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.” (v. 30) This language is similar to the wording that Christ used at His Last Supper just a few days prior to this encounter. This is just a simple meal and Luke does not mean for the reader to understand it as a Passover meal.

It was in this act of sharing a meal, however, that Jesus chose to reveal Himself to them (v.31). There is something personal about sharing a meal, and spending time together around the table. When Jesus appears to the Eleven and these 2 from Emmaus, He asks for food and set down at ate with them (Luke 24:41-43). The Bible also records that the Risen Christ ate with the disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee (John 21:1-15). On that occasion we hear Jesus giving the invitation to fellowship when He says, “Come and dine” (John 21:12)

Argument: The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is THE most important doctrine of Christianity. Without the Resurrection there is no Christian faith. Because of the Resurrection, the Crucifixion of Jesus is validated and believers have access to being made right with God through faith in His atoning death on our behalf. This is the reason we are here on Sundays and Wednesdays and other occasions. We are members of the Redeemed who have found new life in Christ and we fellowship together in our community of faith. We have responded to the Master’s invitation to Come and Dine, not only for a transformed life by surrendering to His Lordship, but we have also answered His summons to worship in community and to break bread together!