The Redemption of the Resurrection
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Take your bibles and turn with me to . And what I want us to do is read this passage in the correct context. This section of Scripture, this portion of biblical history is only found in detail here in Luke. Mark makes a short mention of it in his Gospel account, but Luke has a purpose of giving a detailed account of the life of Jesus, for a Gentile… a non-Jew, to be able to read and understand this monumental moment in history.
In this moment in history, you are exposed to the significant spiritual, emotional, and mental dilemma of two heartsick, devastated, and utterly confused disciples. Because in their mind of what the Messiah was to look like and how He was to function, death and resurrection wasn’t even considered a possibility.
In their minds, the crucifixion three days earlier was basically a death blow to every expectation and hope they had in ever experiencing redemption from the Romans.
Remember we talked briefly last week—How did the Palm Sunday crowd’s chant of, “Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord!” So quickly turn in to bloodthirsty cries of, “Crucify Him!!” Because the Savior they had manufactured in their mind was not a bloodied, battered, helpless victim that was unable to start the smallest of uprisings against the Roman oppressors. The Old Testament Savior that they believed the Scriptures prophesied was not to die, but be triumphant. Jesus was dead, and so He was disqualified and these disciples were crushed as their expectations and hopes go unmet in the person they had exalted to be their Revolutionary Leader. That’s the context—
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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?” 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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.
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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?” 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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.
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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?” 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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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.
Luke 23
1. The Devastation of Unmet Expectations
On a 7 mile journey, we can be sure that these two men were prepping themselves to verbally roll around in their brokenness. How easy is it when something terrible happens, when a hope is shattered to just emotionally, mentally and verbally dwell on it? We don’t know where exactly these men were on their journey home, but we do know the devastating conversation had begun.
So when this stranger to their eyes approaches them and seems completely unaware of what had happened throughout the weekend, it doesn’t seem that their reaction to Him was kind. They stopped, literally in their tracks and looked sad… Cleopas basically asks Him what rock he has been hiding under not to have heard of what happened to Jesus, but they cannot help but to tell of who He was, what He did, and what had happened.
It’s amazing how when we start talking, some of our deepest thoughts can come out and be verbalized revealing our hearts. That’s what happens next here to Cleopas, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel…”
With their faces downward, and sadness and grief obvious--- We had hoped!! But we were wrong… He didn’t do it. This is a raw moment of emotional pain, but it is a revealing moment of their ignorance in the purpose of redemption.
The word ‘redeem’ carried the historical idea of freedom from captivity and slavery.
Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.
Even prophetically, Isaiah wrote about this coming King acting with great strength in garments stained red—
Who is this who comes from Edom,
in crimsoned garments from Bozrah,
he who is splendid in his apparel,
marching in the greatness of his strength?
“It is I, speaking in righteousness,
mighty to save.”
Why is your apparel red,
and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?
“I have trodden the winepress alone,
and from the peoples no one was with me;
I trod them in my anger
and trampled them in my wrath;
their lifeblood spattered on my garments,
and stained all my apparel.
For the day of vengeance was in my heart,
and my year of redemption had come.
These Scriptures were applied by the Jews to the Messiah’s act against the Romans! They had been viciously oppressed far too long… The Messiah is coming and Roman blood will stain His glorious robe in victorious vengeance!
But He’s dead. The exact opposite of what they hoped for had happened.
Israel’s dignity was not restored, but Jesus was humiliated.
The blood of the Romans was not flowing in the streets, but Jesus’ was spilled.
The pagans were not driven out of Jerusalem, but Jesus was crushed by the Roman machine.
This is the devastation of unmet expectations.
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. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 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. 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.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
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 pall 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?”
2. The Better Accomplishment of the Resurrection
One of the greatest failures of God’s people from the beginning of history is not our expecting too much from God but our expecting too little from God.
These two men are pictures of Israel as a whole. Freedom from the Romans was nothing for God!! That wasn’t even on the map of his grand purpose in redemption at this moment in history. Jesus had just defeated death and enabled freedom to be grasped from the penalty and power of sin! Who cares about Rome?! Every one of us is captive to sin… making a beeline to the wrath of God and Jesus steps in and drinks every drop of it on our behalf!
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
The resurrection is a better redemption than we could even conceive for ourselves!
So here’s the applicable part for us—You and I live most of our Christian lives sad because we, like the two on the Emmaus road, live with a faulty doctrine of redemption! We had hoped Jesus would________________ insert whatever in that blank…. But He didn’t.
When our lives do not turn out in the way that is consistent with our expectations, like these two, we are downcast, disillusioned, and disheartened. We expect everything to be more and more glorious with real world problems becoming less and less. Therefore when you’re tired all the time, your house seems to be getting smaller, your bank account is in critical condition, you’re working super hard to get a spouse and/or children… OR… your spouse and/or children are just wearing you out…. The faulty redemption you’re longing for is freedom from all of these difficulties. I hoped Jesus would__________ whatever but He hasn’t!
Here’s the thing… that’s not the salvation He purchased on the cross and sealed in the resurrection. And when we start correctly seeing what His redemption has accomplished… a freeing and a liberation FAR exceeding anything on earth we could be freed from everything else starts being seen in its proper light.
What’s hammering at your heart right now… I know it’s real… I know it’s tough… but listen—If Jesus has freed you from the penalty and power of sin… if death is NOTHING more but the moment you enter into a reward of everlasting communion with God… Rejoice Christian!!
The resurrection changes how we see EVERYTHING here!
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Lift your eyes above the temporary and see the redemption that the resurrection secured. You want a new job, better health, a spouse… or a different one, an easier life? The resurrection provides so much more- freedom from fear and hopelessness, freedom to be who God created you to be, a perfect life for an eternity.
Be thrilled with the redemption Jesus has brought and not downcast by the redemption He hasn’t
And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
3. The Unrestrained Proclamation of the Understanding Heart
If you are like me, I can often be moved by my favorite football team, my family, music… but sometimes so cold towards Jesus. The flame that blazes in my heart for Him can start flickering. Be encouraged because the very same kindling that ignited the fire in Cleopas’ heart is available to you and I today.
From where we are sitting in history… we can look in every direction and see God’s faithfulness. And like these two disciples, once they realized that Jesus was indeed alive and His purpose was indeed better and more magnificent than their’s…
If Jesus is alive, everything we believe is true
If Jesus is alive, death has been defeated
If Jesus is alive, heaven is more than a dream
If Jesus is alive, our sins are really forgiven
If Jesus is alive, all of His promises are true
If Jesus is alive, I’ll never be alone again
Let that burn in your hearts for a second!! Let that flame get some oxygen from God’s truth.
Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Foll’wing our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!