Disappointed Expectations
Notes
Transcript
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Good morning. Today we will be looking at Luke 24:13-35. The road to Emmaus. As I’ve reflected on this sermon series “The God with Scars” week after week it occured to me how easily we can be drawn into a false sense of hope by perception. As we heard last week human beings are made for certainty. Yet each of us has placed or will place our hope in someone or something based purely on perception. Meaning we don’t have all the facts or that we interpret the facts based on our personal experiences. We do this in every area of life. You’re a hard and dedicated employee so that promotion is definitely in the bag, you’ve been a good steward with your finances so your secure, you eat right and exercise so theres no risk of health issues. You see through perception we develop a mental image which in turn makes us hopeful about how things in life will go. This is completely backwards. If our perception makes us hopeful what happens when something unexpected and unplanned destroys or distorts that mental image?
Charles Spurgeon said this in Christ’s Incarnation.
Hope what you please; but remember, that hope without truth at the bottom of it, is an anchor without a holdfast. A groundless hope is a mere delusion.
Christ’s Incarnation, Page 146
Charles Spurgeon
To put it plainly without truth we are living with nothing more than an empty shallow hope. And when, not if, it’s exposed you will be left broken and in some cases unable to move forward.
In my opinion this is most evident in marriage. There is a reason that the national divorce rate for first time marriages sits between 40-50 percent. If you are being honest most of you got married with the perception of a fun, happy, and exciting life with your spouse. Let me ask:
Ladies how happy are you when suddenly theres a warm rush of air under the covers at night, yet you don’t own a heated blanket?
Guy’s how fun and exciting is it to listen to an hour long story that could have been summed up in 10 mins?
While these examples may be humorous, the fact is that marriage while beautiful requires a lot of hard work. Sadly, this simple truth doesn’t become real until you are faced with it. At that point the perception that gave you hope for a perfect marriage is gone. Friends, perceptions when not rooted in truth leave you with groundless hope. The effects this hopelessness extend well beyond marriage. It impacts every part of life. So what do you do when you discover that your hope was based on a perception instead of truth?
Two things I want us to see today: The first is.
Point 1: Buried Hope
Point 1: Buried Hope
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
What did it mean?
What did it mean?
First of all, notice that it says, that very day.
First of all, notice that it says, that very day.
This is the first easter, the third day since Christ’s crucifixion and we find two of his followers walking away from Jerusalem.
They know what is supposed to come next. They had been given all the facts about Jesus but those facts meant nothing.
There’s an internal conflict between their perception and the facts as they travel toward Emmaus. They discuss “these things”, the facts about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
Second, Jesus appears to them, but they don’t recognize him. Why?
Second, Jesus appears to them, but they don’t recognize him. Why?
The facts did not meet their expectation. You see facts when not supported by truth are useless. Lacking truth these two are in the midst of buried hope.
Third, They are devastated.
Third, They are devastated.
Verse 17 tells us that they are “sad and still”. They don’t even know how to respond. They are stuck unable to go back and yet unable to move forward. Have you ever been there? It’s a crippling feeling.
Then one of them, Cleopas, finally finds his voice but it’s out of surprise that this man hadn’t heard about all thats happened.
After Jesus ask’s a second time finally they detail “all the things” that had happened.
They give the facts. Jesus was mighty in deed and word before God and the people, condemned to death and crucified by the chief priests and rulers, how it’s the third day and some of the women had went to the tomb that morning to find it empty and had seen a vision of angels informing that Jesus had risen, and that two others from their company, John and Peter, not identified here but in other areas of scripture had verified that the tomb was empty.
Even with all the facts they are still crushed and broken. We can see it in verse 21 when they say “We had hoped”. Had is past tense. They have buried their hope. In their minds it’s dead back in Jerusalem. Everything that had transpired did not meet the expectation these two followers had because that expectation was not rooted in truth.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
First of all, it means if you are living through perception, that if the facts mean nothing in your situation then you are living without truth. Your hope is dead and buried.
First of all, it means if you are living through perception, that if the facts mean nothing in your situation then you are living without truth. Your hope is dead and buried.
What you have to see is that God has a plan.
10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Think about that for a moment. Now if the creator of the universe had a plan when He sent his only Son to the cross for you, then isn’t it reasonable to trust that he has a plan for your life.
Think about that for a moment. Now if the creator of the universe had a plan when He sent his only Son to the cross for you, then isn’t it reasonable to trust that he has a plan for your life.
Look, sometimes truth is unrecognizable. This is when you speak the gospel to yourself, to each other. You think on it and reason it out until it becomes real in your life.
Look, sometimes truth is unrecognizable. This is when you speak the gospel to yourself, to each other. You think on it and reason it out until it becomes real in your life.
Why? Because you will never be able to see what you don’t understand.
Without truth your left walking away yet unable to move forward. These two followers are wrestling with “Buried Hope” and when it’s exposed in our lives wether that be in relationships, career, finances, or spiritually we are left crushed and walking away too.
So how do we overcome our perceptions and the false hope they bring?
The second thing I want you to see today is:
Point 2: Risen Hope
Point 2: Risen Hope
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
What did it mean?
What did it mean?
First of all, he calls them foolish.
First of all, he calls them foolish.
Jesus presses these two followers to reveal the root of the problem. He calls them slow of heart! He’s points out that they lack faith. The truth of everything that was spoken by the prophets, the facts, hadn’t registered.
He’s saying you had all the information but you didn’t reason it out and apply it.
Second, he says, don’t you realize the son of man had to suffer many things to enter his glory.
Second, he says, don’t you realize the son of man had to suffer many things to enter his glory.
He saying that Glory comes through pain and suffering. Their perception of redemption was political not spiritual. They expected a political leader, a warrior, a king. What the facts pointed to was a lamb, a sacrifice, a “God with Scars”.
He shows them that there is no crown without a cross.
Third, in order to help them see, he opens the Bible, and explains it to them.
Third, in order to help them see, he opens the Bible, and explains it to them.
This is my favorite part, especially considering they have no idea who he is. He opens them to the word and has bible study as they walk. Can you imagine!
He starts at the beginning. The old testament .
21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
- Jesus is the true and better Adam, who, passed the test in the garden by being obedient unto death imputing to us his perfect righteousness.
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
- Jesus is the true and better Abel, whose, blood cries out not for revenge but for our acquittal.
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
- Jesus is the true and better Isaac, who, was not spared but left on the altar as a sacrifice in payment for our sins.
11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
- Jesus is the true and better rock of moses, whose, blood poured out so that his people would have everlasting water.
He uses the facts, the truth of his word, to show thats it’s all about him.
His death, burial, and resurrection. How it all points to this very moment. That very day. The day of victory. When Buried Hope becomes Risen Hope.
As they reach Emmaus they are still wrestling with perception and truth.
As they reach Emmaus they are still wrestling with perception and truth.
Yet, they still don’t get it. It hasn’t become real in their hearts. Does this sound familiar?
We see the same thing occur later in verse 38-39 when Jesus appears to the apostles and says (Why is there doubts in your hearts. Touch my wounds)
Jesus acts like he will keep on walking. He did the same thing in Mark 6 as he walks on the water appearing to pass by the storm battered apostles.
He knows these two need more but he waits for them invite him in, to acknowledge their need. He waits for each of us to do the same today.
They invite him in. Pay close attention to what happens next:
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
Their eyes are finally opened. But what was it about this event that open their eyes?
Turn with me to:
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
Jesus reminds these followers of the truth. He gives them a fresh mental image and shows them that all the things that had happened were necessary for their redemption. It was all part of God’s plan.
That his glory, their glory, would come through pain and suffering.
What does it mean to us?
What does it mean to us?
Church heres what you have to see. When you lack understanding you are living with buried hope.
Church heres what you have to see. When you lack understanding you are living with buried hope.
At some point that false hope will be exposed and you will either struggle through wounded or you will walk away.
Each of us has a deep desire for true hope. You are made for it. Yet your perceptions of that hope are faulty.
When you lack truth it’s easy to believe the lies the world feeds you.
In secular beliefs - You are in control. Seize the day. Work hard, save enough money, join the right social circles.
In religious beliefs - You earn it. Follow all the rules, check all the boxes, and be a good person.
Neither gives you what you need. Sure these things may give temporary satisfaction but they will never give you certainty.
What you and I truly need is hope that’s rooted in truth. A hope that endures because it’s not based on what we can do.
The gospel teaches us that this type of hope, risen hope, only comes through pain and suffering. Through a cross.
If you really desire truth in your life, to live with certainty, to be hopeful then you have to look to the gospel.
It opens your eyes to truth as you read it, study it, reason it out, and put it into practice.
What Christ has done and is still doing has to become real in your heart and when that truth is applied it changes you.
That change means that you become hopeful even in the midst of pain and suffering, that you have certainty and confidence, that because He rose you can now rise.
Friends thats hope based on truth not perception.
Closing:
Closing:
As we prepare to close today and the praise band comes I want to leave you with this.
Are you living with buried hope?
Have you reached that point where you can’t go back but don’t know how to move forward?
Are you carrying the burdens from defeats, failures, and disappointed expectations?
Lifers - Are there areas in life that you feel hopeless? Search your hearts and ask Am I looking to Jesus, Am I getting truth from the gospel, Am I reasoning out that truth?
Lost - Dare to hope this morning. If the gospel seems too good to be true then you must first understand what it cost. The Deacons and Pastoral staff would love to show you the God we serve. The God with Scars.
Prayer