The Jesus you don’t recognize

Opening Framework:

Easter People

Message Title: The Jesus you don’t recognize

Me: Long run this week - Not sure how far - Boyce House

My location didn’t change but the moment I realized where I was I understood everything entirely.

Life with God is like that. It’s not that Jesus isn’t present, it’s that we often don’t recognize what He’s doing

We: We’ve all been on a road like that…

The unsure road where we’re confused why things are headed this way.

The road with a wall where it feels like you’re stuck

The long road where it just feels like nothing ever changes

The road where it feels like God has been absent from your situation

The road that feels like it’s moving so slow

The divorced road, the problematic marriage road, the trouble kids road, the why am i in this situation road.

You know we all have these seasons where it feels like Jesus isn’t on the road with us, God is usually closer than we think and usually around when we least expect him

God:

The death of Jesus just happened, the disciples are scattered, and then 2 are on this road…

Luke 24:13 - Verse 13 - Emmaus Insignificant location Insignificant people Frustrating walk back home from Jerusalem Unmet expectations Yet God shows up… what makes you think he won’t show up for you today?

Verse 13 - Seven miles

Luke 24:14-15 - Jesus shows up

Luke 24:16 - Verse 16 - Kept (Had to finish the walk) —God will use those moments, those long roads, those situations of confusion to do something. — Isaiah 55:8 - God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. —Patience - Frustrating Teenager… Etc —I wonder what thing you wished God would change for you but He’s still allowing it for a purpose?

Luke 24:17 - Verse 17 - Jesus asks about Jesus. The one with the answers asks the question -Genesis 32:27 - Happens here too.

Luke 24:18 - Cleo & likely the unnamed women. —They basically already know of the resurrection but arn’t sure The issue was not His absence. The issue was their recognition of Him in the moment —They go on walking, talking, and then they invite him to stay.

Luke 24:30 - Broke the bread, just like his body. —Broke the bread just like their situation —Broke the bread because often before God can bring realization He breaks something.

Luke 24:33 - Once you realize God was involved, it causes you to want to go. This changed everything

You: Some of you are on that road…

The road you didn’t plan

The road you didn’t want

The road you can’t quit

The road you thought would be shorter

The road where you’re going in circles

What if Jesus is nearer on this road than you’ve realized.

We: We’ve all been on these roads

We’re not a people who pretend we always know where we’re going

We’re a people who walk with Jesus—even when the road feels hard

But we’re also a people who ask God to open our eyes along the journey

Alter Call:

Maybe something in your life makes you feel like you’ve made a wrong turn.

Maybe you’re on a road right now with some questions, some disappointment, or even some pain.

Maybe you’re on a road that has felt like God’s been silent.

If that’s you, this passage reminds us that God shows up on those roads.