Their Eyes Were Opened

Luke 24:13-35

Theme: The Resurrection of Jesus

Key verse: v.6

53 verses; 1,055 words

Grade level: 4.8

Outline:

I. A Glad Announcement. vs. 1-12

II. A Gracious Appearance. Vs. 13-35

III. A Great Astonishment. Vs. 36-48

IV. A Glorious Ascension. Vs. 49-53

Here are some QUESTIONS that reveal the truths in this passage.

I. When Were They Opened? vs.14-30

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

When they were taught. vs.14-15

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

When they were telling. vs.16-24

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

In His resurrected state, the Lord Jesus could withhold His identity from those who saw Him. Mary Magdalene did not recognize Him until He spoke her name; she thought He was the gardener (John 20:15).

God can fix you sometimes so that you cannot see what’s right there before your eyes. He said He gave those Jews who wouldn’t believe on Him “eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear” (Rom. 11:8).

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them, What things?

God will ask you what He already knows (Genesis 3:9)

And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

“they” are Peter and John (John 20:3-10)

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) never contradict but are complimentary and supplementary.

When they were tested. vs.25-30

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

Verse 26 solves the problem of the “two Messiahs” in the Old Testament. It is “the sufferings of Christ” first, and then “the glory that should follow” (1 Pet. 1:11). Joseph had to suffer slavery and imprisonment before the Lord exalted him to Prime Minister of Egypt. David had to live in exile running from Saul before he could reign as King over Israel.

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

“the things concerning himself.”

He starts in Genesis and shows them how He was the lamb who had to die to cover Adam and Eve’s sins (Gen. 3:21).

He showed them how the Serpent had to bruise the heel of the Seed of the woman before that Seed could stomp the Serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15).

He showed them how His blood “speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Heb. 12:24).

He showed them how He was the ark of safety that they had to be in to escape the judgment of God.

He showed them how He was the One who would bless all the families and nations of the earth (Gen. 12:3, 18:18 cf. Gal. 3:8).

He showed them how He was to be “King of righteousness” first and then “King of peace” like Melchisedec (Heb. 7:2).

He showed them His death and resurrection in type when Abraham offered up Isaac (Heb. 11:17–19).

He showed them Joseph who was turned on by his own people, made into a servant, sought no honor, but was then exalted to honor.

He showed them He was the Passover Lamb.

He showed them that He was the tabernacle and the furniture.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

II. When Did They Know Him? vs.31-32

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

They were dealt with internally. v.32a

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, (Jeremiah 23:29)

They were dealt with intelligently. v.32b

while he talked with us by the way,

They were dealt with inspirationally. v.32c

and while he opened to us the scriptures?

III. What Did They Do? vs.33-35

They went to where the disciples were gathered. v.33

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

They told what happened. v.34

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

They told about the risen Saviour. v.35

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Conclusion:

Are your eyes opened?