Luke 24:13-35: When Life is Disappointing

Introduction

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/reddit-drama-disney-trip-grandma-kids-goes-viral-refuses-apologize-family - mom disappointed because she didn’t experience Disney World with children…

Life is full of disappointments. If we were to go around the room and share disappointments, we would be here for hours. It seems like life is one disappointment after the next.

End of Luke’s Gospel - we’re introduced to disappointed people. The women at the tomb - disappointed that Jesus was dead but then saw an empty tomb… The 11 disciples - disappointed because Jesus was dead.

Other followers of Jesus - disappointed. The 11 weren’t the only ones who had left everything to follow Jesus. Luke records a story unique to his gospel about two people who left Jerusalem after the crucifixion of Jesus disappointed. They had placed all their hope in Jesus as their Messiah, and now He was dead. It was disappointing.

If you have ever been disappointed, then this passage is for you. Three truths to hold on to when life is disappointing.

Jesus is walking with you.

That same day - The day of the resurrection - the women have seen the empty tomb. They’ve told the disciples that the tomb is empty. Peter has seen the empty tomb with his own eyes. Jesus is alive.

Two people leaving Jerusalem for Emmaus with much disappointment. One named Cleopas. Don’t know the name of the other. They don’t know the tomb is empty.

Perhaps they were there on Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly. Maybe they shouted, “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Filled with hope that Jesus was their long awaited King. Maybe they had followed Jesus for some time. Maybe they had left family and friends to follow Jesus.

They didn’t think it would end the way that it did. Thought Jesus would come into Jerusalem and take His rightful place on the throne of David. They weren’t expecting chief priests to arrest Jesus. They weren’t expecting the crowds to cry, “Crucify Him!” Maybe they were at the cross - they weren’t expecting Jesus to suffer and die like He did.

They were let down:

Let down by the religious leaders. How could they have killed Jesus? Why didn’t they believe? Have you ever been let down by religious leaders? That pastor who you thought was a faithful shepherd but then got caught in a scandal?

Let down by other Jewish people. The crowd had cried crucified… You’ve been let down by people too… Maybe other Christians who you thought were faithful to God, but then turned on God.

Let down by God. On the way to Emmaus maybe asking, “How could God allow this to happen?” You ever ask that?

On road to Emmaus - maybe their home? Maybe this is a husband and wife? Two good friends? Discussing what had taken place - and arguing! (vs. 15) They couldn’t agree on how to make sense of what had happened in Jerusalem.

Then Jesus comes near - (Note: He hasn’t appeared to the apostles yet - instead, He appears to two regular followers of Jesus.) He walks with them. They don’t recognize Him. For a moment, Jesus causes them to not be able to recognize Him. “Why are you disputing?” vs. 17 - They looked discouraged…

Discouraged, disappointed, yet the risen Lord was walking with them, and they didn’t even know it.

The risen Lord is walking with you too, even if you aren’t aware.

Jesus walks with you because He wants to be present with you. Christian faith is often described as a walk with God - You get to know someone on a walk. God has desired to walk with you from the beginning. Jesus walks with you at those times when it seems like no one else is walking with you. Can’t help but think about the garden of Eden - God walked with Adam and Eve. Sin separated Adam and Eve from God, but Christ is reversing the curse - brings us into relationship God so we can walk with Him - so we can know He is present. He’s present even in our disappointments. A reminder that Christianity is not an academic subject but a relationship with the God of all creation.

Jesus walks with you with intentionality. - Not a casual stroll but a purposeful walk with God. What are all the benefits of a lifelong walk with God? Comfort, hope, joy, peace, love, transformation, etc. You experience the benefits of walking with God as you intentionally invest in the One who is walking with you. Are you intentional in your pursuit of Him?

Rory McIlroy - up close - but not personal - You get to be with Jesus up close and personal.

Jesus is teaching you.

Jesus asks the question: “Why are you disputing?” Cleopas’ ironic question: “Don’t you know what’s happened?” Jesus knows better than anyone what’s happened. Cleopas doesn’t know what’s happened!

Cleopas’ long speech (vs. 19-24) - You hear his disappointment in the speech. “He was crucified by the chief priests… We were hoping he would redeem Israel… And now we’re confused… Women said tomb was empty and they saw angels. Peter and others went to the tomb and it was empty… We don’t understand.”

Jesus’ response a rebuke! “You’re foolish and slow to believe. You don’t believe the prophets.”

vs. 27 - beginning with Moses and prophets - Jesus showed them all the Scriptures pointed to Himself.

Imagine - the most intimate sermon ever preached… two people have an audience with Jesus explaining the Scriptures. What did Jesus say? Complete speculation, but maybe:

Gen. 3:15 - first promise of a Messiah

Gen. 15 - Israel a great nation that will bless the world - Jesus is the ONE from Israel who has blessed the world.

Gen. 22 - God stopped Abe from offering Isaac, but in love, God has sacrificed His only Son for our sins.

Ex. 12-13 - Jesus is the Passover Lamb.

Exodus 14 - Jesus has brought us through death - He has delivered us.

Deuteronomy 18:15 - Jesus is prophet greater than Moses.

Joshua - Jesus is the greater Joshua who leads us into the Promised Land.

David - Jesus is the King from the lineage of David who is truly a man after God’s own heart.

Isaiah 53 - Jesus is the SUFFERING servant - not a King who would expel Rome, but who would expel sin by experiencing the punishment we were due.

Psalm 22 - He is the ONE who cried out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” He is the ONE who’s hands and feet were pieced and garments divided.

Jesus walked with them and taught them! Jesus is walking with you and teaching you! How is Jesus teaching us?

Jesus is showing us our deficiencies. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Every time we study the Bible, it’s like looking into a mirror. We see ourselves for who we are - a deficient people. We are slow to believe.

Slow to believe that God loves us.

Slow to believe that Jesus is trustworthy - that you don’t have to worry.

Slow to believe that God’s way is best.

Slow to believe that God’s Word is true. That what God says He means.

Slow to believe that true wisdom is found in a relationship with God. That you can know how to walk wisely in an unwise world.

Slow to believe that your sin is damaging your relationship with God and others.

This morning, accept the rebuke - a loving rebuke. You need the rebuke because Jesus wants to sanctify you.

Where are you slow to believe? Listen to the rebuke! Don’t ignore it. Don’t despise it. You need it! God may use people you love to rebuke you from His Word (Galatians 6:1-2). Listen!

Jesus is showing us His sufficiency.

In areas where you are slow to believe, run to His Word. Let Jesus remind you that He is sufficient, and you can trust Him.

How you think about Jesus will affect how you live your life.

You need a church, a discipleship group, etc. that will point you to Jesus and His sufficiency.

True change comes when you stop thinking that you are sufficient. Instead, see your deficiencies and see that Jesus is more than sufficient.

Jesus is changing you.

When they got to Emmaus they thought Jesus was going further. However, they were enthralled by His teaching. They asked Him to stay. They don’t know yet that this is Jesus, but they do know they don’t want to be without this man who speaks truth. Jesus stayed with them. Jesus stays with us. You don’t ever have to worry about Jesus leaving you.

The risen Lord shared a meal with them (vs. 30), and their eyes were opened. Imagine the excitement of the two disciples when they realized it was Jesus!

Glorious thought - The risen Lord chose to spend time with these two disciples. He chose to be with them. When their eyes were opened Jesus disappeared. Yet, he had chosen to stay with them in those moments. And, ultimately, He would stay with them forever. His Spirit would come (Acts 2) and indwell these two disciples.

vs. 32 - “Weren’t our hearts burning within us…” That’s what happens when you encounter Jesus through His Word - when you see yourself for who you are and you see Him for who He is - you see Him as the God who desires to be with you. Your heart begins to burn within you. You desire Him. You desire to grow. You desire to be conformed to Him. You are changed.

They returned to Jerusalem and told the eleven what had happened. Their disappointment turned to joy. Their eyes were opened. Their experience with the resurrected Lord changed them.

When life is disappointing, you need to remember that Jesus is changing you. He’s giving you new life.

How do you daily experience change? (Ill. - playing scales as a kid with no idea what the end goal was.)

Begin with the end in mind. We’re shortsighted. Jesus sees the big picture. Disciples didn’t have the end in mind and they saw death of Jesus as the end instead of looking toward resurrection. We need Jesus’ perspective. When you don’t begin with end in mind you get frustrated when you don’t see results in the present. Growing in Christ is long obedience in same direction (Eugene Peterson).

Ask lots of questions. Two disciples question was a question of doubt (vs. 18), but Jesus still answered it. Their question of doubt didn’t stop Jesus from helping them to see truth. Luke 11 - “Jesus will you teach us to pray?” Some of us don’t ask enough questions. Questions like: “How do I grow? What character quality does God want to form in me this week? How is God using my present circumstances to form character in me?)

Do what you know you need to do today with joy. If you don’t keep the end in mind, you’re not going to pursue Christ today with joy. You might with drudgery or half-heartedness, but when you see the bigger picture, you begin to be excited about the spiritual disciplines. You begin to trust God with joy in difficult circumstances. You take that step of faith to share the Gospel with your neighbor, etc.

The death and resurrection of Jesus melts away all of our disappointments. In Christ, we know there is hope, change, and eternity wit Him. The most disappointing thing you can do with your life is reject Jesus. If you have not turned to Him by faith, today is the day to believe that Jesus died and rose again for you.