Greetings friends,
This coming Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection. It’s an historical event that changes all of history—and changes those who trust in Jesus because of it. Without the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are, as the Apostle Paul says, “still in our sins and our faith is futile. Moreover, we are to be pitied above all people.” If Jesus isn’t raised from the dead, then Christianity would be like every other religion in the world—a word of advice from a dead person who lived a long time ago. But, if indeed Jesus IS Risen, then we have something unique—a “Good News message” because God has truly done something to affect our sinful condition. What He says and what He did transforms this message into power. This is the Gospel… and it is true.
Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 1:16-17
Often times we focus on the death of Christ on the cross. We point to John 3:16 that says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” We talk about He who died for us, that we might be saved. That is very important. His death atoned for our sin. But sometimes what we miss is the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He now lives for us in heaven so that we might live His life on earth. His resurrection provides power for our daily lives. That’s what Easter celebrates! It’s His life now, for us on earth.
On that first Easter Sunday, we see a number of reactions from the followers of Jesus. But the reaction found in Luke 24 is really symbolic of how His life changes ours. We pick up the narrative in verse 13 where we find a couple of dejected Christ followers heading away from Jerusalem… only to encounter a living Lord.
“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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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 they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah 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 continued on 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?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Luke 24:13-34 (NIV2011)
First, we find that Jesus joins these two people traveling to the village of Emmaus. It’s about a 2-hour walk—and it must have felt like a really long walk that day because their hearts were heavy. Then Jesus just casually joined their conversation. It says that they were “kept from recognizing Him,” but I think that in the fog of grief, it didn’t take much. They couldn’t believe that their friend was dead. He was crucified, and now after the Passover—they were walking home in sorrow. Sometimes, in our sorrow and grief—we don’t realize that Jesus is walking with us along the way. It’s not that He has kept us from recognizing Him—we just fail to do that all on our own. We are preoccupied with our loss. We often lack vision, or as Jesus says, “eyes to see.”
Then, in verse 17, Jesus asks them what they are discussing along the way. And then we get a little more information. Cleopas simply can’t believe that this guy doesn’t know what had happened in Jerusalem the last few days? And when Jesus draws him out a bit, Cleopas tells (Jesus) about all the things that happened to Jesus. About how Jesus was a prophet, and was so powerful in word and deed. And how Jesus was handed over to the rulers to be sentenced to death. All their hopes came to naught, because now it was the third day. They had even heard that some women had gone to the tomb that morning, but they didn’t find His body. They said they had seen a vision of angels that said that Jesus was alive. But they didn’t see Jesus. Without seeing Jesus, up close and personal, Cleopas just couldn’t believe.
Cleopas did what we should all do, and that is pour our hearts out to Jesus. Even when we don’t understand what is happening around us. Even when our hopes are dashed to the ground. Even when we can’t see Him or realize that He is with us. We should pour out our hearts to Jesus. And did you notice… Jesus knew all that Cleopas was telling Him, and He let him pour out his heart out just the same. We need to unburden ourselves before the Lord. Jesus knows that we are not meant to bear those burdens. Give them to Jesus. He is able to carry them for us.
Jesus won’t leave us in our misery and sorrow—rather, He calls us to new vistas and understanding of Him. He chides His disciples, and then reminds them of what He had taught them. The Messiah had to suffer these things and then enter His glory. Vs. 26. He went on to give them a Bible refresher course on the Old Testament, except now it’s through His’ eyes. They are seeing the Scripture in a whole new light. It’s the light of Christ. The Old Testament is awash with references to the Messiah, and Jesus is able to point that out to them. They didn’t recognize Jesus speaking face to face with Jesus, nor did they recognize Jesus when they read of Him in the Scriptures. But Jesus is going to connect the dots for them.
When they get to Emmaus, these Christ followers are at a turning point. They want to know more about Jesus from this man who traveled with them. They urge Him to stay for dinner since it is late. And Jesus does! Then Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. He had doubtless done this with them before—like at the last supper where Jesus implemented communion. Something happens when people get up close and personal with Jesus. They see Him with new eyes. They recognize that Jesus had been with them all along. And the moment they recognized Him, He disappeared from their sight. But it did something to them… I love this realization. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road.”
That’s the miracle of the Living Christ. He is alive, and He walks with us though all of life’s sorrows and disappointments. He listens to all that has happened to us with rapt attention. He doesn’t interrupt—He just listens deeply to our hearts. He illumines the Scriptures for us, and calls us to remember what He has said. He breaks bread with us along the road of life, even when we don’t see Him. And then, when we need it the most, He sets our hearts on fire, and we know that He has been with us all the time.
That day, the lives of those two on the road to Emmaus were forever changed. The story goes on to tell how they found new energy to return to Jerusalem to testify of Jesus. It is the story of what Jesus would have us be doing until He returns. Sharing the good news of the resurrection with everyone we come in contact with.
It’s Easter again! And we remind ourselves that Jesus is risen, and that He will never leave us. His life provides us with faith, hope, and love for this life while we await His certain return.
My prayer for you is based on 2 Corinthians 13:14: “I pray that the grace of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and the faithful love our Heavenly Father, and the close and intimate fellowship of the Holy Spirit, fill you to complete fullness and satisfaction. And that your hearts would burn within you as you contemplate Him who is returning for us. Amen.”
