04122020 Meeting Jesus on the Road of Life Luke 24:13-34

MEETING JESUS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE Luke 24:13-32 Luke 24:13-32 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" 19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." 25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" BIG IDEA: OUR LIVES WILL HAVE A MEANINGLESS EXISTENCE UNLESS WE TRULY MEET THE RESURRECTED JESUS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE! I. Jesus May Be in Your Life; But, You Do Not Recognize Him Lk 24:13-16 II. Despair Results from Looking at Life Without a Resurrection Luke 24:17-24 III. You Have to Realize How Deeply You Need to Be Redeemed Lk 24:20-21 IV. You Must Go to the Bible, Knowing that ALL of Scripture is About Christ Lk 24:2532 PASTOR MARK DEMIRE THE COMMUNITY OF GRACE MEETING JESUS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE LUKE 24:13-32 APRIL 12, 2020 The Law (especially portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) anticipates Christ by exposing our hearts and persuading us of our need for a Savior. At a broader level, the failures of specific Old Testament characters (for example, the repeated failures of God’s people to trust him and follow his law) also point indirectly to our need for a Savior. The promises scattered throughout the Old Testament (especially prophetic books such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) anticipate Christ by kindling a longing at several levels that only Jesus can ultimately fulfill. For example, God’s repeated promise to dwell with his people (Leviticus 26:11-12; Ezekiel 37:26-28) comes most clearly to fruition in the incarnation of God’s Son (“The Word become flesh and dwelt among us,” John 1:14) and the future kingdom of Christ (Revelation 21:3). Wisdom literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and so on) compels us to look to Christ for meaning and for the ability to live wisely (see Colossians 2:3). The psalmists and prophets sometimes spoke with the voice of Christ, anticipating his suffering (the Cross) and exaltation (the Resurrection). Particular Old Testament offices (prophet, priest, and king) foreshadow Christ’s redemptive work. They invite us to look for a prophet who is greater than Moses, a priest who is greater than Aaron, and a king who is greater than David. Certain Old Testament rituals, such as the Passover (Exodus 12), foreshadow God’s redemption of his people through the Cross. In the New Testament we encounter explicit proclamation of Jesus: The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) introduce us to Jesus Christ and his ministry on earth, culminating in his death, burial, and resurrection. The Epistles (Romans, 1 Corinthians, and so forth) offer sustained theological reflection on the significance of the person and work of Christ for the church. Revelation gives us a window into the future glory of Christ as he brings in his heavenly kingdom. PASTOR MARK DEMIRE THE COMMUNITY OF GRACE MEETING JESUS ON THE ROAD OF LIFE LUKE 24:13-32 APRIL 12, 2020