From Confusion to Clarity

I would guess that most of us have been to the eye doctor at some point. If, like me, your natural vision is bad and declining, your visits to see Tom and Robin will be regular.

When you sit in the chair, there are a variety of things that doctors will do in order to understand what you can see (because obviously they can’t get inside your head). Then they will go through a series of tests with lenses in order to counteract what may be deficient in your vision.

Poor vision can be caused by any number of things, including..

genetics

injury

obstacles - things in front of your eyes (fog, dirty glasses, veils of various sorts)

age - as we get older, our eyes gradually lose their ability to adjust to differing distances.

In many ways, vision or sight is both a reality and a metaphor. Some of us may not be able to physically see things at all, and yet understand them perfectly. Others may be able to see things clearly, but not understand them. Still others may see things dimly, and only have a partial understanding.

I think this is the state in which we find the disciples on that first Easter morning. If you have your Bibles, open them to Luke 24. We’ll be looking at verses 13-35 today. This is on page 843 in the bibles provided.

Last week, we learned that the women found the tomb empty, but they did not find Jesus. Today, we continue considering Luke’s account of post-resurrection events. As we read earlier, a bit later on that same day, that first Easter, we find two disciples walking toward Emmaus, a town about 7 miles from Jerusalem. As they walk, they are talking about the events that happened. And Jesus catches up with them and begins to listen in and then begins to engage with them in conversation. But for some reason, these disciples are hindered from seeing Him. Luke doesn’t tell us why they can’t see Him, but they simply don’t recognize Him.

One thing we learn is that their physical sight matched their metaphorical sight. In other words, they have…

Eyes of bewilderment (13-24)

They see, but they don’t understand.

Our society is full of conversations. Conversations anticipating what will happen - prognosticating on possibilities, potential outcomes and how one decision will affect another. Then there are the conversations as things are happening. The play-by-play action of sports announcers and political pundits. As if we haven’t had enough conversations, then there are the conversations around the post-event outcomes, interpretations, and so much more. We hear it all around us. Some of us engage in it. Some of us try to avoid it, but it’s there now, and it was there then.

These disciples certainly had plenty to talk about. As if all of the normal Passover activities wouldn’t have been enough, then there is the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. What’s more, there is the empty tomb! Oh to be able to hear what they were saying.

Jesus certainly did. At least He heard some of it. In many ways, this is a rather comical encounter.

Luke 24:17–19 ESV

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?” …

Ah the irony. I love the fact that Jesus is playing a bit dumb in order to draw them out and have them tell Him what they understood about the events - what they saw.

Cleopas, the only of these two who is identified, shares what some have called “The Gospel according to Cleopas.”

Luke 24:19–24 ESV

…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. 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.”

This Gospel according to Cleopas reveals a bit of what they did see and understand, but it also reveals areas where they were still a bit fuzzy. The prescription on their lenses needed an adjustment.

On Jesus’ identity

They were mostly clear - in many ways He was a prophet - a messenger from God. There are times when people refer to the three offices of Jesus - prophet, priest and King. A prophet proclaims the Word of God. A Priest intercedes between the people and God. As King, Jesus reigns as the Sovereign God. Seeing Him in this office of prophet, they could see that He was “mighty in deed and in word.” His miraculous works and acts of mercy made an impact on the people that he interacted with. His teaching touched people in very different ways than the teachers that they had heard. Early on in Luke’s gospel he notes that the people…

Luke 4:32 ESV

…were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

On His identity, they were mostly correct.

Cleopas’ gospel also touches on…

Jesus’ innocence

In this it seems like he is fairly clear. While he doesn’t discuss the trials or the three-fold declaration of innocence, he does acknowledge that it was the High Priest and the religious rulers who condemned Him and handed him over to the people who could crucify Him.

Then, there is…

Jesus’ mission

In this, they are a bit fuzzy. Cleopas states “we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” What did he mean by that? What redemption was he referring to? As much as Jesus’ teaching about a kingdom was far beyond political boundaries and revolutionary activities, Cleopas somehow missed the mark. It seems like the redemption he spoke of was a political/nationalistic redemption.

In many ways, Jesus did redeem Israel - not the nation - but the spiritual Israel, all of those who would believe.

Next, there is…

Jesus’ resurrection

In this the disciples are unclear. It’s clear that Cleopas knows that the tomb is empty. It’s been announced by angels, testified by women and confirmed by some of the other disciples. And yet they are puzzled by what it means. Up to this point in Luke’s account of the post-resurrection activities, Jesus has not revealed himself to anyone. All they know is that the tomb is empty. Was His body stolen? Is He alive as the angel’s said?

But I do think it’s helpful at this point to consider our own retelling of the gospel - the good news. When you share the gospel with others, what do you include? What do you leave out? What do think the gospel truly is?

Depending on our perspective, or the lens through which we see Jesus, we may color the gospel in certain ways.

I guess the question becomes, how do you see Jesus? Is He a…

Good teacher? - If this is all He is to you then sure, His teachings and His example will make a difference in your life and likely in the lives of those around you as you learn to live sacrificially, love unconditionally, and share generously (among the many other things that He taught). But, is that all He is?

Is He a…

Martyr? - Was He simply someone who died unjustly for the good of a cause? If this is all He is to you, then His life will seem like a life simply taken before its proper time. His martyrdom might spark a revolution, or multiple revolutions, but to what end?

Is He a…

Political Revolutionary? Did He come to usher in a new political order or bring political systems back to biblical morality? I wonder if this is how some of the disciples viewed Him. Frankly, some in our nation see Jesus as the leader of a Christian Nationalistic movement. A movement that believes that our nation should be a Christian nation and that faith or not, Christian morals should be the way of the land.

There may be other perspectives that people have of Jesus. The challenge is that all of these fall short. All of these are tainted by a misguided perspective and incomplete understanding of Jesus, of the gospel.

Like these disciples on the road to Emmaus, we need to allow Jesus to open our eyes and educate our understanding. We need…

Eyes of enlightenment (25-31)

It’s as though Jesus can’t take their misunderstanding any longer.

Luke 24:25–26 ESV

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?”

Jesus seems to be pointing them to the things that He taught, but also pointing the back to what we would call the Old Testament. Remember, they still don’t recognize him. Luke continues:

Luke 24:27 ESV

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

I wish that Luke would have been able to capture the references that Jesus sourced here. He summarizes the fact that every section of the Old Testament points to Jesus.

Alistair Chalmers wrote a little book where he takes a Roadmap to Jesus through the OT - reflecting on a variety of passages. There are a few copies of this in the Book Nook if you’d like to check it out.

Mark Dever, in a sermon he delivered a few years ago on this passage, picked up a handful of verses from several parts of the Old Testament.

Moses

This is essentially the first five books of the Bible - the Torah - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.

Genesis 3:15 “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”” This is what many have referred to as the protoeuangelion - a sort of pre-gospel. Even as God disciplines Adam, Eve, and the serpent, He sharing the good news of one who will come to bruise or crush the head of the serpent.

Deuteronomy 18:18 “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.”

The Prophets

2 Samuel 7:12–13 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

This was spoken by the prophet Nathan to David. There are parts of this that refer to Solomon, as he was the one to build a temple. In other ways, it refers to Jesus, a physical descendent of David who will also reign forever.

Isaiah 61:1–2 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;”

Jesus embodied this in His ministry and even read this passage during one visit in a synagogue (Luke 4:18-19)

Daniel 7:13–14 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” Jesus favorite title of himself was the Son of Man. Daniel seems to point to the eternal and expansive nature of the Kingdom.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 - one of the clearest passages that discusses the suffering that the servant of God would do on behalf of people. Let me encourage you to check that out this afternoon.

Psalms

Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”” Jesus referenced this in one of his encounters with the religious leaders as he urged them to answer the question of how can the Christ be both a descendant of David and his Lord. (Luke 20:42-43)

Let’s briefly consider a few other prophesies that point to the Messiah - things that Jesus fulfilled.

Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics Prophecies of the Coming of Christ

1. Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (

Frankly, there are dozens of other passages that we could turn to from each of these sections. Biblical scholars vary in the number of OT prophesies that they think point to Jesus (Powell). Jesus seems to help them see that the Christ would be more than a political leader - He would be a suffering servant, a descendant of the woman, a prophet like Moses, a descendant and yet lord of David, and anointed by the Spirit of God. Whatever verses He used, Jesus sought to give them a clear picture of the Messiah, the Christ - and He let Scripture inform their understanding of His identity and His mission.

I think that is a good lesson for us. When we read Scripture, it’s vitally important that we do what we can to let Scripture inform our theology and not let our theology pigeon-hole Scripture. We may be tempted to read scripture from the lens of our ecclesiastical tribe or our favorite podcasters or authors, but I believe we will be better served if we let Scripture speak first. Where we have misunderstandings, that’s when we should go to the other sources. I know in my own sermon preparation, I work hard to dive into the text and let the text speak before turning to commentaries. I have found that if I go to commentaries and other sources too quickly, then the sermon takes on a shape or focus that looks a lot like these other sources.

But think about this. When we turn to Scripture first; when we let Scripture speak and inform our theology; in that we get to learn directly from God. We allow Him to open our eyes, to enlighten us.

Think about what we’ve learned about Jesus in the last year and half just from our study in the book of Luke.

There are times when Jesus will sound like a flaming liberal - caring for the outcast, showing mercy to adulterers, being compassionate to the needy, loving enemies.

At other times, He will sound like a revolutionary, as He pushes back against the religious authorities and calls the governing rulers foxes.

At times, Jesus will seem like a staunch conservative as He promotes living lives founded upon God’s Word and biblical morality.

Jesus doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes that we like to create. He’s not a republican or a democrat or a libertarian.

Is He small “c” catholic? Yes - he comes with a message of salvation for everyone.

Is He baptist? Yes - he calls for us to believe and be baptized and to have a high view of Scripture.

Is He methodist? Yes - there are a variety of methods that Jesus uses to reach the lost - but His message is unwavering. What’s more, He calls us to holiness.

Is He presbyterian? Yes - he called for people be thoughtful and sincere in their faith, all the while continuing the covenant of God.

Jesus doesn’t just teach us how to live good, godly lives, but He makes a way for us to live eternally. As we saw last week, Jesus replaces us on the altar, exchanges His life for ours in the marketplace, justifies us with His life before the judge, and reconciles us to God in the family room (Stott).

Here on the road to Emmaus, Jesus enlightened the eyes of the travelers as He pulled them away from their religious tribes to His righteous identity.

Then, as He sat down with them, broke bread with them and blessed the meal, their eyes were fully opened! They saw Jesus for who He truly is!

a good teacher

a healer

the Son of God

the Messiah

the Resurrected Lord!

Luke notes that as their eyes were opened, Jesus vanished from their presence. With joy and elation they reflect on what they had just experienced and made their way back to Jerusalem with…

Eyes of excitement (32-35)

Sure, they had just walked 7 miles over hilly terrain, now with this encounter with the risen Lord they know that the others need to hear! So they make their way back those 7 miles, back up to Jerusalem, the highest city in that part of Israel, a journey of roughly 2 hours.

When they get back to Jerusalem, notice what they find. The other disciples have had a sighting of Jesus also.

Luke 24:34 ESV

saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

Apparently, after leaving these disciples in Emmaus, Jesus appeared to Simon. These two also began to recount what happened with them and how he was “made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

The point is that when these disciples on the road to Emmaus and the other disciples in Jerusalem had an encounter with the risen Lord, they shared their excitement of the good news with one another.

Last week, we opened our service with a call to worship from 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 ESV

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

If you’ll notice, the sentence doesn’t end with “Scriptures.” The Apostle Paul continues…

1 Corinthians 15:5–8 ESV

and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Now Cephas is another name for Simon. We don’t have that exact appearance in Scripture, other than this reference in Luke. We will consider the appearance to the twelve next week.

The point that Paul is making in this passage is that the bodily resurrection of Jesus was attested by hundreds of people. By virtue of the fact that he references that some of them are alive indicates that his first audience of readers in Corinth could go back and verify the facts. Jesus rose from the grave!

I think it’s important for us to ask, “What does Jesus’ resurrection mean?”

We’ve seen throughout Luke’s gospel how Jesus was an amazing human. He was good and kind and thoughtful and generous. He was able to do miraculous things - giving some indication that He was more than human - He was God in the flesh. When He was tried before the governing authorities, He was declared innocent multiple times, and yet as we saw a few weeks ago, the court of public opinion won out and Jesus was crucified. It’s clear that God was behind it all!

Now, as Jesus rose from the grave, the empty tomb indicated that He is not there. The resurrection appearances indicates that He was victorious over death. His life, death, and resurrection did so much more than simply provide an example for us. Jesus’ teaching gives us guidance for how we should live now! Jesus’ resurrection gives us hope for our resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection proved that He conquered the curse of our sin and granted us freedom to be able walk rightly before God.

Some people have said that some Christians are:

So heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.

Others have said that when Christians lose sight of eternity that they are…

So earthly minded that they are no heavenly good.

In other words, their good deeds are good, but there is no forgiveness of sin and no eternal life.

Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we should be…

So heavenly minded that we are immensely earthly good!

We should live with such hope and excitement that others are able to see. We should live with the values that Jesus taught us today. We should place our hope and trust in Him and Him alone. We should live in the freedom from the curse of our sin that Jesus secured for us.

May we, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, move from confusion to clarity about Jesus - in what we believe, how we speak, how we act, and how we love. This message is too good to keep to ourselves!

Finally, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus called these disciples foolish ones because they were slow to believe. Friend, would Jesus call you that? Are you slow to believe? Pray that you might have eyes of faith to believe all that Scripture teaches and all that Jesus embodies. This is good news for you too. Do you believe?

Let’s pray.

Benediction:

Galatians 1:3–5 ESV

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Questions for reflection and discussion

Read: Luke 24:13-35

Eyes of bewilderment (13-24)

1. When have you ever suddenly understood a truth that had earlier confused you?

2. What were the two men discussing along the way? (24:14)

3. What did Jesus ask the two men? (24:17)

4. How had the events of the last few days confused the expectations of the two men talking with Jesus? (24:21)

5. How did the men respond to Jesus’ question?  In other words, how did they retell the gospel?  What was included?  What was missing?

6. When you share the gospel with others, what do you include?

Eyes of enlightenment (25-31)

7. How did Jesus’ respond to their re-telling of the events?

8. Why did Jesus explain the Scriptures to the men? (24:25–27)

9. When did the men finally recognize Jesus? (24:31)

10. How should we view Scripture in light of Jesus’ response to these men?

Eyes of Excitement (32-35)

11. What did the men recall after they reflected on their conversation with Jesus? (24:32)

12. How did these men respond to their encounter with Jesus? (24:33–35)

13. When have you been guilty of unbelief?

14. Why are we so often “slow of heart to believe”?

15. What do you think prevents people from believing in Jesus?

Sources:

Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.

Bock, Darrell L. Luke 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.

Liefeld, Walter L. “Luke.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.

Marshall, I. Howard. The Gospel of Luke: A Commentary on the Greek Text. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Exeter: Paternoster Press, 1978.

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

McKinley, Mike. Luke 12-24 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.

Powell, Doug. Holman QuickSource Guide to Christian Apologetics. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2006.

Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.

The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.

Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.