on the road

Last week

thank you Al

great testimonies within the church

We heard the verses in Luke read earlier this morning and today we will connect to a few of them that speak loudly about the Lord. we will see how Jesus connects with people, how He brings the truth and how He reveals Himself.

the scene we are jumping into is after His resurrection. we know that Jesus death shocked all of His followers, the religious that wanted Him dead were satisfied, and others that came to the city that passover day were dumbfounded by all that took place. not a normal passover for sure.

a few people were walking away from all that had just taken place. they are disillusioned, shocked, disappointed, discouraged. but these emotions won’t last because the Lord is close by!

We see in verse 17 Jesus speak to them...

Luke 24:17 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.

let’s really picture this. leaving a time that was supposed to be historic. it was thought by many that Jesus would overthrow the Roman empire and the Jewish people would have their place in rule and authority. instead, there leader was killed. these two must be struggling.

you and I know what happens when we expect something to happen and it goes very different.

we scratch our heads, wonder what happened, and we talk about it to process it.

And I am thinking about what you are thinking right now...... many people in Andover have been talking and trying to process the fires that have been happening. it was certainly something that was not expected, huh.

So, we see these two in a similar place, wondering and discussing what was going on as Jesus catches up with them and asks them what they were talking about.

He is connecting with them.

And let me just say, what a great lead in question. simple. just asking this kind of question connects people. it tells people that you want to be involved with them. If you can get people to share their experience, you will see a bond build between you and them.

We love to tell our story.

So, next time we are out with people, pay attention to what people ask each other...... and maybe try getting them to tell their story and see how God works in that. We will see how this beginning leads to Jesus responding and revealing Himself.

But at the question Jesus asks them causes the two to be taken back a bit. they can’t believe that this stranger does not know what was going on in the city.....but this actually segways right in to what they were talking about, the events that had happened over the last few days.

How could this person not know, everyone knew what had happened in Jerusalem, they must have thought.

but they tell there story anyway. they tell their story, but did they believe the entire story?

we see in verses 22-24

Luke 24:22–24 ESV

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.”

as we look at the entire discourse, it can seem like they believed the parts that they saw, like the death of Jesus, but what happened after that? did they really believe that the women did not find His body? that some had seen visions of angels? better yet, some even said He was alive!

Wow, really get this!

they were standing there telling their story, about the one who died and rose, which they didn’t believe He rose, and they were telling it to the One who died and rose!!!

but, not really believing it.

unbelievable, right? or can sometimes we can find ourselves like this where we want to see it to believe it.

sometimes we can be like this. we want to see it to believe it.

and sometimes we need Jesus to bring us back on course with truth and faith. Jesus doesn’t hold back.

Luke 24:25–27 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?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

what a sermon they got!

but Jesus points out their error first we see. then He takes them to scripture, to the truth.

You know.....many civilizations have come and gone.....many people have lived on this earth and each one had a foundation to their life. they believed something. and what they believed, they acted upon. what we believe is our foundation in our life. is it important?

Jesus brings them right to the foundation.....the Word. and shows throughout the entire Old Testament how it points to Jesus. it all points to Christ. how amazing, isn’t it?

Jesus is revealing Himself to them and they still don’t know who this Man is that is talking with them.

But they do know that they want to spend more time with Him so they ask Him to stay with them.

How about us? When we hear the word, when we fellowship with other Christians, does it affect you in a way that causes you to want more?

Jesus is so good to be around, His spirit draws us in. the goodness of God to love me and you. He doesn’t condemn you and I but gives His all for us to know His love, His message, and His offer. it is grace..... I heard this definition for grace this week,

when undeserving people, receive from an unobligated giver, an unbelievable gift.

grace. and we see Jesus, full of grace. towards all people. amen.

So, Jesus has been revealing the truth to these two, but now Jesus is going to bring them face to face with who He really is in verse 30 and 31.

Luke 24:30–31 ESV

When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

Luke

Luke 24:30 ESV

When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

What a moment. that realization that they were in the presence of the resurrected Christ. an ah-ha moment I would say.

whether it was the way in which He broke the bread or blessed it, or maybe even when He handed it to them and they saw His hands, His wrists, the nail holes from the crucifixion, we don’t know what did it but we know they recognized Him and what a moment that was.

how about us? when we have a moment of revelation, there was a time in each one of our lives that we didn’t know Jesus. we didn’t realize that He was around. but then, He revealed Himself to us. He poured out grace and mercy, allowed us to realize all the work on the cross and what His resurrection meant for us.

our hearts have been cleansed from sin. He is the atonement. He took our place and gave us His!

that revelation, that truth changed the course of our lives, eternally. for the person who hasn’t trusted the Lord, who doesn’t know these truths yet, I would encourage you to spend some time seeking, praying, asking if this is true. if Jesus is alive. If He could be the sacrifice for you. If He could be your Savior.

The bible tells us that if Jesus is not alive then we are hopeless. For those who believe He is alive, may you rejoice always, knowing your King and Lord, your Savior has done all that was needed from Moses through the prophets, for you and I to be saved. He lived the perfect life for you to have to stand before the Father. When God sees you He sees His Son’s perfection.

what a revelation. What a God.

our hearts, just as these two on the road to Emmaus may light up as we fellowship with Jesus.

Luke 24:32 ESV

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?”

my prayer is that His word would cause your hearts to burn with excitement. that God would put a new song in your heart and cause you to sing praises unto Him for His grace and goodness.