Recognizing the Resurrected Christ (2)

13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

Are you sad about anything today? What is it?

Luke 24:18 NASB95

18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”

Jesus was personally aware of what had happened over the last few days. How could he forget being betrayed by a disciple that He had chosen; how could he forget the beating and the whipping that He received or the mocking of the soldiers; he remembered the denial of Peter, his close friend and disciple; He remembered every time the hammer hit the head of the spike as it nailed his hands to cross; and for all of eternity He will remember those dark 3 hours on the cross when God the Father for the first time in eternity turned His back and poured out the anger and punishment for the sins of all mankind , including you and me, on Him. And now He walked along side these men whom He loved alive. Oh yes, He was aware!

Luke 24:19 NASB95

19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,

He asked this not to find out the news of the day, but to find out the nature of their hearts.

And they said to Him, “The things about ‍‍Jesus the Nazarene, who was a ‍‍prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,

Luke 24:20–24 NASB95

20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 “But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”

Is your sadness due to a lack of faith?

Are you willing to invite Jesus into your conversation about your sadness?

Step 2. LEARNING (25-27)

Luke 24:25–27 NASB95

25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

Would you have liked to have been there?

Imagine the greatest Teacher explaining the greatest themes from the greatest Book and bringing the greatest blessings to men’s lives.

The promise to Eve—Genesis 3:15;

The promise to Abraham—22:18;

The Passover Lamb—Exodus 12;

The Scapegoat—Leviticus 16:1-34;

The brazen Serpent—Numbers 21:9;

The great Prophet—Deuteronomy 18:15;

The Star and the Scepter—Numbers 24:7;

The Rock that brought water—20:11;

Immanuel—Isaiah 7:14;

The virgin born child—9:6-7;

The Good Shepherd—40:10-11;

The Suffering Servant—50:6;

He who bore our griefs—53:4-5;

The Branch—Jeremiah 23:5; 33:14-15;

The Heir of David—Ezekiel 34:23;

The Ruler from Bethlehem—Micah 5:2;

The Lowly King—Zechariah 9:9;

The Pierced Victim—12:10;

The beaten Shepherd—13:7;

The Sun of Righteousness—Malachi 3:1; 4:2.

Notice that Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. He could have just revealed Himself to them and said, “surprise! Here I am; it’s Me.” But instead, He built up their faith by using the Bible so that when they did see Him it would be that much sweeter and sure.

“The key to understanding the Bible is to see Jesus Christ on every page” —Warren Weirsbe

If Jesus came the first time as God’s Word told us, then how can we doubt his coming again?

Step 3. SEEING (28-31)

Luke 24:28–29 NASB95

28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them.

How many of us shoo Him way at those times during the day when draws close to us and miss the blessing that He has for us because of the inconvenience of it all?

Is your time with Jesus so precious that you don’t want Him to leave?

Luke 24:30–31 NASB95

30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.

They had eaten with Jesus so many times that they instantly recognized Him.

In what way is Jesus so familiar to you that you will easily recognize Him?

Step 4. SHARING (32-35)

Luke 24:32 NASB95

32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

Does your heart burn for the Word of God as Jesus teaches you through the Holy Spirit?

Luke 24:33–35 NASB95

33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

That’s the kind of resurrection worship service that I want!

What a difference it would make in our church services if everybody who gathered came to tell about meeting the living Christ!

When did you last meet with the living Christ? Of course not physically, but fellow-shipping with Him through the Holy Spirit?

Do you regularly share with others about your time with Jesus?

Step 1. SEEKING

Step 2. LEARNING

Step 3. SEEING

Step 4. SHARING

Closing:

Which step or stage on the road of Emmaus do find yourself this morning? If you have rejected Jesus then you need to start at step one.

Related Media

Related Sermons