Journey (Luke 24:13-35)

Luke 24:13–35 NIV

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.

Background

This is the same day as the resurrection

The women have witnessed the empty tomb and heard the angelic proclamation of the Gospel that Christ has risen from the dead

Other disciples went and saw the tomb and saw that it was empty

Yet, still people did not believe!

2 Disciples Head to Emmaus

Luke recounts that there are 2 disciples that leave Jerusalem and head to Emmaus.

Emmaus is 7 miles from Jerusalem (but no one knows exactly where THIS Emmaus is)

These 2 may have been from Emmaus and came to Jerusalem for the passover.

Yet, we know they in their choice to go to Emmaus by themselves they have chosen to leave behind the greater fellowship of the disciples in Jerusalem...

And, while on the road, they ponder among themselves (cut off from everyone else) about the events that had transpired.

Also, these disciples seem to be NOBODIES!

Yes, one is named Cleopas, but the other is not mentioned. This is the only time that Luke has mentioned Cleopas in his account of Jesus’ life! These 2 Disciples were not anyone from the 12 Disciples, but there were followers of Jesus, just not prominent ones. They are NO NAMED NOBODIES!

It is possible that Cleopas was known in the circles that Luke’s Gospel was written for (Theophilius). But, we really do not know much about Cleopas. And, the other disciple isn’t named at all!

Another possibility is that these 2 are husband and wife… (Mary and Clopas…)

John 19:25 NIV

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Either way, it doesn’t really matter. All we know is that one is named Cleopas/Clopas and the other is not named in this story.

They seem to be 2 people who are not hugely significant to the story, but Jesus shows up with them on their journey.

THIS IS ENCOURAGING to ME!

In the scheme of things, none of us is very significant on this journey. Yet, Jesus promises to show up with us on our journey...

Matthew 18:20 NIV

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Jesus Journeys With Us...

Jesus appears … Yes, they are kept from realizing it was Jesus (This has happened when Mary met Jesus near the tomb and though, at first, that Jesus was the gardener). Yet, Jesus was with them and he teaches them.

Jesus teaches these 2 disciples from scripture all the way back to Genesis about how the Messiah was to suffer and be resurrected.

Jesus INTERPRETED Scripture for them, in light of the Gospel, that this was detailed and promised throughout ALL Scripture. This was God’s plan all along!!!

Oh to be able to set through that lesson!!!!

Yet, the 2 disciples didn't know it was Jesus...

They were journeying in the midst of hopelessness, fear, despair, etc… and Jesus showed up and THEY DIDN’T KNOW IT!!!

We think, often, that in our situations once Jesus shows up EVERYTHING becomes sunshine, roses, and happiness...

That the clouds roll back and the waters part; the sun starts shining in our hearts

That birds and animals sing and EVERYTHING is hunkey dorey

BUT THAT IS RARELY THE CASE!!!

We forget that Psalm 23 discusses how the Lord leads us, but sometimes he leads us, or journeys with us, through the valley of the shadow of death

Psalm 23:1–4 NIV

1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

God is with us in the midst of the dark valleys, but he does not always lead us away from them immediately!!

In fact, the Psalmist declares that he is not afraid in the dark valleys BECAUSE GOD IS WITH HIM - not because God makes them disappear!

Jesus PROMISED to be with His Disciples!

Jesus PROMISED to be with his disciples!

What we see in this passage in Luke is Jesus making good on his promise!

Matthew 18:20 NIV

20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

While the disciples were journeying and trying to make heads or tails of their situation JESUS DOES JOURNEY WITH THEM

Not only that HE INSTRUCTS THEM IN THE MIDST OF THEIR JOURNEY AND TEACHES TRUTH TO THEM...

Yet, he did it in a hidden way...

Jesus Journeys with his disciples

In the midst of failure, discouragement, fatigue and concerns he is there but Jesus is not always recognized

Jesus journeys with us through hurt, disappointment, pain, fear, uncertainty, doubt, confusion.

Jesus journeys with us through family trouble, heart ache, disease, illness, crushed hopes, etc...

Jesus journeys with us. BUT we do not always recognize Him.

We often, like these 2 disciples, recognize Jesus AFTER he teaches us the lesson we needed in the midst of the journey. It is in hindsight that we confess, “Yes, Jesus was with us the WHOLE time...”

Jesus WAS ultimately recognized!

When was Jesus recognized?

After Scripture was opened and interpreted

And after Jesus broke bread

WORD AND TABLE!

We testify that Jesus is among us when we gather for worship. When Scripture is opened and not simply interpreted, but interpreted in light and reference to the Gospel that Jesus was resurrected. The Scriptures MUST be interpreted in light of Jesus whom ALL scripture points to!

But, it’s not only about Scripture, it becomes about the acts of worship also. The sacraments, and most specifically, Eucharist/Communion/Lord’s Supper reveal the Resurrected Christ’s Presence in our Midst.

When Jesus broke bread with those disciples it MUST have reminded them of the night before Jesus was crucified where He took bread, broke it and interpreted it in light of his coming crucifixion and resurrection.

FROM THAT TIME FORWARD followers of Jesus would gather on the 1st day of the week to worship. However, in MANY churches, their worship INCLUDED the WEEKLY commemoration of the Lord’s Supper where bread was broken and juice was taken. Where we were reminded of the Christ event that changed history, the present and the future. And Christ was MYSTERIOUSLY revealed to be the RESURRECTED CHRIST in OUR Midst!

Some traditions use a candle to remind them of the light of Christ’s presence that is with them when they gather.

This is why it is important that we journey together and worship together. Maybe someone can recognize the presence of Jesus with us and point him out to us.

Also, we remind each other that Jesus is with us and we stubbornly focus on the resurrected Jesus in our midst.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Promise of Christ’s Presence Continues Today

Christ is present with His disciples as we journey on our roads to Emmaus

Christ is present as we try to make heads or tails of our situation in light of the witness and testimony of the women and angels that the tomb is empty

Christ journeys with us through our hopelessness, fears, concerns,

Christ journeys with us and teaches us along the way

Christ is STILL EMMANUEL - GOD WITH US!

HOWEVER, Christ’s presence with us on the journey is KNOWN and EXPERIENCED when we journey together

Christ is REVEALED to us as we open Scripture and not only read it, but INTERPRET it in light of the events of the life, death, resurrection and coming again of Jesus

Christ is revealed as we gather together to hear and interpret Scripture AND to participate in the sacramental and foundational aspects of our faith in Christ. As we gather together to give STUBBORN, DETERMINED, PUBLIC witness that WE KNOW Christ is in our midst.

It is when we gather together to hear form scripture and to respond in worship that Christ is revealed to be the one journeying with us all along.

We know in faith that Christ is present with us, BUT if we want that hidden Christ to be revealed WE MUST GATHER TOGETHER AROUND THE WORD AND TABLE!

IT is not simply in our fellowship that we see Christ working in and through each other

IT IS IN OUR WORSHIP THAT CHRIST IS REVEALED TO BE PRESENT

Worship is BOTH miraculous and mysterious as the RESURRECTED Christ is revealed to be present with us amidst our journeys of life.

Yes, we see him through and in each other

We experience Him and KNOW him through our worship.

If you want to know that Christ is working in your life - DON’T FORSAKE GATHERING FOR WORSHIP!

The good news is that the Resurrected Christ journeys with us

The better news is when we gather we recognize Christ’s presence!