When Your Eyes Become Opened

Dyke Lee

Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Luke 24:13–35

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The Walk of Emmaus

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"The AHA Moment" (28-34)

The Walk to Emmaus

13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles* from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

19 “What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27the Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat,* he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.*”

"Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from ail the Scriptures the things concerning himself" ()

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What a great moment it must have been when Christ taught the Scriptures to these two people walking along the road to Emmaus.

Consider this: Could Jesus handle the scriptures?

Would He have done a fairly good job of explaining them?

Look at the word, explaining (v.27). He explained "all the Scriptures."

In other words, He took the scriptures and interpreted them clearly for these two disciples to see the truth. He went to Genesis and then Exodus and then Leviticus and Numbers and Deuteronomy. those are the books for Moses. he showed them how the books of Moses portrayed How own coming and His life, death and resurrection before the fact.

Then He took His listeners into the Prophets. And through all of the Prophets He interpreted correctly the truth concerning Himself. These disciples had no doubt heard Scripture before, but they had missed Him in it-as do many who read the Bible today. So, through the skill of His understanding interpretation of the Scriptures, Jesus explained to them how the Scriptures pointed to Him.

Then the two disciples urged Him not to go, saying, "Stay the night with us, since it is getting late" () So He stayed with them, presumably continuing the conversation and opening Scripture to them even more.

As they began to enjoy a meal, the bible says, "The scales fell off . They realized, 'The one we've been talking to is the Messiah!' That's Jesus, the Son of God! and immediately He was gone, taken out of the sight."

So they look at each other and said, "Didn't our heart burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?"

Imagine their conversation:

Remember how He handled the book of Leviticus?

Remember what He said when He got to Deuteronomy?

Remember how He explained Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Daniel?

How we gain a deeper understanding into the Scriptures we've known since we were kids!"

Now we understand that all that has happened recently has been in fulfillment of the Scriptures we've known since we were kids?"

After Jesus had explained Scripture to His disciples and showed them how Moses and the prophets had spoke of Him, "their eyes were opened" ().

31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.1

1 The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), .

You know what the implication of that statement is? If you don't see Christ in the Scriptures, your eyes aren't open. He is there. he is the key that, when turned correctly, unlocked the truth and causes you to have insight you never dreamed possible.

That they way it is with the Bible. People read through Genesis, struggle to get into Exodus, and by the time they get to Leviticus, throw their hands in the air and say, "I cannot make heads or tails of the whole thing." Its because their eyes aren't open yet. They haven't had the Scriptures explained to them in light of Christ. He is the theme all the way through. Likewise, He is to be the central theme all the through our lives.

II. THE POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES OF CHRIST ()

The four gospels record ten or more post-resurrection appearances of Christ to His disciples during the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension. Luke records only two of these appearances.)

A. JESUS’ APPEARANCE TO THE TWO EMMAUS-BOUND DISCIPLES ()

1. The vivid description of this appearance—Of all the ten or more recorded post-resurrection appearances of Christ, this is the most detailed and the most vivid.

2. The non-recognition of Jesus ()—As the two disciples journeyed the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, Jesus joined them as they walked and talked, but they did not recognize him, they did not know they was walking with Jesus of Nazareth, it had not been revealed to them. See . Our eyes must be opened by the Holy Spirit before we can know Christ, , or the things of Christ, ; .

2. The non-recognition of Jesus ()—As the two disciples journeyed the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, Jesus joined them as they walked and talked, but they did not recognize him, they did not know they was walking with Jesus of Nazareth, it had not been revealed to them. See . Our eyes must be opened by the Holy Spirit before we can know Christ, , or the things of Christ, ; .

3. The despondence of the disciples ()—The two disciples explained to Jesus the reason for their sadness and despondency. They hoped-to-be Redeemer of Israel had been crucified and the third day was rapidly drawing to a close and they did not yet have any visual proof that Jesus had arisen on the third day after His crucifixion as He had prophesied that He would. They had had a report from certain women that they had found the tomb of Jesus empty and that two angels had testified to them that Jesus was alive and also they had had a report from two of Jesus’ disciples that they, also, had found the tomb empty. The two Emmaus-bound disciples, slow to believe the reports given them, had left Jerusalem in sadness and despair.

3. The despondence of the disciples ()—The two disciples explained to Jesus the reason for their sadness and despondency. They hoped-to-be Redeemer of Israel had been crucified and the third day was rapidly drawing to a close and they did not yet have any visual proof that Jesus had arisen on the third day after His crucifixion as He had prophesied that He would. They had had a report from certain women that they had found the tomb of Jesus empty and that two angels had testified to them that Jesus was alive and also they had had a report from two of Jesus’ disciples that they, also, had found the tomb empty. The two Emmaus-bound disciples, slow to believe the reports given them, had left Jerusalem in sadness and despair.

4. The rebuke administered to the two disciples (, )—Jesus rebuked them for their slowness in believing the Old Testament’s prophecies of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (to enter His glory). They had readily believed the prophecies of His triumph and His rule but they had been slow to believe the prophecies of His death and resurrection. They had believed only that part of prophecy that they wanted to believe. They had been “fools” (simple ones, children with little understanding) when they failed to believe “all” that the prophets had spoken. “Fools” believe only a part of the Bible.

4. The rebuke administered to the two disciples (, )—Jesus rebuked them for their slowness in believing the Old Testament’s prophecies of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension (to enter His glory). They had readily believed the prophecies of His triumph and His rule but they had been slow to believe the prophecies of His death and resurrection. They had believed only that part of prophecy that they wanted to believe. They had been “fools” (simple ones, children with little understanding) when they failed to believe “all” that the prophets had spoken. “Fools” believe only a part of the Bible.

5. The theme of the Old Testament prophecy ()—The entirety of the Old Testament, especially its prophetical books, either directly or indirectly, points forward to Jesus. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” Rev.l9:10.

5. The theme of the Old Testament prophecy ()—The entirety of the Old Testament, especially its prophetical books, either directly or indirectly, points forward to Jesus. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” Rev.l9:10.

6. The hospitality of the disciples (, )—The disciples constrained Jesus to abide with them. Jesus goes on unless we invite Him into our lives. He never tarries where he is not wanted or welcomed. He never forces Himself upon anyone.

6. The hospitality of the disciples (, )—The disciples constrained Jesus to abide with them. Jesus goes on unless we invite Him into our lives. He never tarries where he is not wanted or welcomed. He never forces Himself upon anyone.

7. The opened understanding of the disciples (, )—As He broke bread, the two disciples saw His pierced hands and their eyes were opened to the identity of their guest. Our eyes must be opened to know Christ, , and to understand Scripture, .

7. The opened understanding of the disciples (, )—As He broke bread, the two disciples saw His pierced hands and their eyes were opened to the identity of their guest. Our eyes must be opened to know Christ, , and to understand Scripture, .

8. The remembrance of the disciples ()—After the Lord vanished from their sight, they remembered how their hearts had burned within them while Jesus had talked with them and opened up the Scriptures to them. Do our hearts burn within us when Christ opens up the Scriptures to us?

8. The remembrance of the disciples ()—After the Lord vanished from their sight, they remembered how their hearts had burned within them while Jesus had talked with them and opened up the Scriptures to them. Do our hearts burn within us when Christ opens up the Scriptures to us?

9. The desire of the disciples to share the good news ()—The hour was late and their bodies were tired, but the two disciples rose up the same hour that their eyes were opened to Jesus’ resurrection and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem to share the good news that Jesus was alive, risen from the dead. They found the apostles and the other Jerusalem disciples already in possession of the good news, for the risen Lord had appeared to Peter.

9. The desire of the disciples to share the good news ()—The hour was late and their bodies were tired, but the two disciples rose up the same hour that their eyes were opened to Jesus’ resurrection and they hurried back the seven miles to Jerusalem to share the good news that Jesus was alive, risen from the dead. They found the apostles and the other Jerusalem disciples already in possession of the good news, for the risen Lord had appeared to Peter.

Roy E. Gingrich, The Gospel of Luke (Memphis, TN: Riverside Printing, 2001), 68–69.

What I'm trying to get at...

When you have an encounter with Jesus. Your eyes become opened to the truth.

When Jesus pays you a visit... The shackles of heaviness is lifted.. for the bible says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.”

When Jesus stops by and converse with you.

David recognized this in his old age. He began to experience God in a whole new progression. For he recognized that:

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Paul had an "AHA" (Eyes were opened during his encounter with Jesus) moment on the road to Damascus... For the Bible says;

3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.

And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2013), Ac 9:3–9.

17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

17 So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saulb and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), :

When we have an "AHA Moment" (experience with God, we come realized the truth regarding a situation or circumstance) Jesus, he reveals himself to you.

Then, we move from seeing His word, to having insight, into his word.

When we experience God, we become like Daniel, and can interpret the handwriting on the wall.

We move from sight to insight.

That means; we see Christ throughout the whole Bible.

We see the revelation that is originally intended for all of humanity, and for personal experience.

And, when we begin to have that personal experience, life begins makes more since. Your journey become more meaning and your activity on this journey has is driven by purpose.

The struggle we experience, we learn the lesson that God has been trying to reveal.

My brothers and sisters, when you have that "AHA Moment" the scales have fallen and now we see that we are not of this world but just a Pilgrim, traveling through this barren land.

We begin to move at God's command.

We walk like Christ have instructed.

We live life Christ... Loving each other into fellowship

When we have that "AHA Moment" (Walk with Jesus)

We see Jesus has redeemer, healer, and savior of our souls.

We see the Cross of Calvary not just a place of sculls.

But as a place of reconciliation and a place of Love.

We see the blood that was shed for the remission of sin as the covering, and saving power for all who would accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Oh, my brothers and sisters, I just want to share with you that when your eyes become opened. When you realize that Jesus has spoken to you.

When you recongize that the truth of Jesus Christ that;

He is the risen savior.

He is the Son of God

Your life become filled with joy, happiness and abundant.

When we have that "AHA Moment"

We recognize the resurrection just as Job did, when he said,

"I know my redeemer lives"

When we have that "AHA Moment" we become eager and excited and want to share our experience with the world.