Easter Sunday
Notes
Transcript
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday
Scripture Readings:
Luke 24.1-5
Luke 24.6-9
The Truths we look at today, were true yesterday, and are still true tomorrow.
What does it mean to live like Jesus?
We often look at the final statements of Jesus on the cross. We referenced one of these as a basis for Christian action on Friday.
34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
This is one example of Christ during His crucifixion.
But what of the admonitions of Christ after His resurrection?
This is what we are going to look at today continuing in Luke’s account of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In light of the resurrection of Jesus, what are we to do?
Today, we’re going to be in Luke on the road to Emmaus. This is roughly 7 miles from Jerusalem. I’m going to begin at verse 13 for context, but we will pick up our study in verse 18.
13 And behold, two of them were going that same day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had happened.
15 And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself approached and was going with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are discussing with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a mighty prophet in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 “But also some women among us astounded us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and not finding His body, they came, saying that they had also 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 exactly as the women also said, but Him they did not see.”
25 And He said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther.
29 But they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and after breaking it, He was giving it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. 32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?”
33 And they stood up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those with them, 34 who were saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.”
35 And they were relating their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Let’s Pray!
So picking up at verse 18, Jesus joins two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus. And they cannot fathom, that Jesus doesn’t know what they are talking about!
18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a mighty prophet in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
What Things?! - What do you mean by… define your terms!
Jesus Asks Questions
Jesus Listens
Who do they describe Jesus to be?
21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
What were they hoping for?
The redemption of Israel!
Why were they hoping for that?
Zechariah’s tongue has been muted
After Mary has visited Elizabeth, carrying Jesus in the womb.
And here, John the Baptist has just been born and this is what Zechariah says:
67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He visited and accomplished redemption for His people, 69 And raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of David His servant—
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old— 71 Salvation from our enemies, And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To show mercy toward our fathers, And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,
74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, For you will go on before the Lord to make ready His ways, 77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins,
78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To direct our feet into the way of peace.”
21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
This is the hope of the men on the road to Emmaus!
They continue their account:
22 “But also some women among us astounded us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and not finding His body, they came, saying that they had also 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 exactly as the women also said, but Him they did not see.”
Look at Jesus’ response to their story!
25 And He said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
“O foolish and slow of heart”
All = All
All that the prophets have spoken!
To Luke’s audience, this would be the Old Testament through Jesus including John the Baptist.
They have just called “Jesus” a mighty prophet
26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
Do you not understand?
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
2.5-3 hour walk with Jesus teaching the Scriptures!
I tell you, your First Testament is relevant to life!
So what do we take form this?
Believe ALL the prophets have written
28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them.
I wonder, if you’ve ever had an experience that was so good, you sat there trying to figure out how to keep it from coming to an end!
Story of being at the Garner’s
Keep quiet so it doesn’t end!
30 And it happened that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and after breaking it, He was giving it to them.
For Luke’s readers and hearers, for today’s readers, I wonder what image has popped into your mind.
14 And when the hour had come, He reclined at the 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 say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 “For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
An earlier cup of the passover seder
19 And when He had taken some bread and 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.”
30 And it happened that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and after breaking it, He was giving it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight.
At the breaking of bread, they recognized the Messiah
32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?”
I want you to know, this experience is available to you today.
This burning inside of you because of the study of the Word of God is incredible!
Jesus’ final words in Luke:
49 “And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Pay Attention!
4 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?”
This understanding is available to us.
33 And they stood up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those with them, 34 who were saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.”
What did they do?
35 And they were relating their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
They shared what they learned and experienced.
Look at Jesus’ next words in Luke:
36 Now while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace to you.”
Jesus message to the 11 at the confirmation of His resurrection, is peace.
There’s lots of disagreement over the meaning of this phrase. I propose to you that it is pretty straightforward.
You may remember back to our advent season, Kip preached on what peace is in Scripture. In short, at its essence, peace is the restoration of relationship.
Whether it is between people, between nations, or between us and God.
Jesus appears in the room and His message is, here is restored relationship to you!
Step back to Zechariah’s prophecy, what does it say?
77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins, 78 Because of the tender mercy of our God, With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, 79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To direct our feet into the way of peace.”
If you do not know “peace” I would like to introduce you to the Prince of Peace today.
GOSPEL PRESENTATION
What we celebrate today is restored relationship and the promise of everlasting life with God.
47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.
APPLICATION:
If you’re a believer, and you don’t have peace in your life, it is only found in Jesus.
Nearly every New Testament epistle, which are written to believers, begins with Grace and Peace.
If there are two things we are to have with one another, it is grace and peace, because we have these things from God.
And whether you have never believed or you have believed all your life, the basis for how we live is forgiveness. You cannot grow to maturity, without peace.
As we come to the table….
we remember peace provided in Jesus through the forgiveness of sins.
As we take the bread, we remember what Jesus did on the cross.
20 “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our transgressions, according to the riches of His grace
17 And He came and preached the good news of peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
19 And when He had taken some bread and 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.”
As we drink the cup, we remember the life and the promise we have in the resurrection of the King
19 For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven.
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.
6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
