Walking With Jesus
You're welcome, everyone. I'm glad you all came out this morning. I hope everyone had a great week this week. I know for many of you this week. The kids went back to school after spring break. And if you're a teacher or teacher say that mean that you had to go back to work as well. It probably was a long first week back. I actually saw Kylie at the grocery store Friday night after have a case you was and she said it was so long ago that I really can't remember them all done by 5 days. But if I can tell you a little secret this morning and I had this
Are pastors and others who work in church, this is a hard this was a hard week as well. Because it's the week after Easter. And we go through this every year and the week after Easter in the week after Christmas.
After all the hoopla surrounding each day. We had the Good Friday service in the early service on Sunday in the breakfast and then seeing songs about the resurrection and preaching about that and having a mic over a hundred people in church last week. Any question comes this week now what?
Where do we go from here? Because Easter Sunday is like that and I'm I apologize now if it was you who are sports fans, but Easter is like the Super Bowl of the church year. And so the week after can become like if your football padding you remember when the Pro Bowl was the week after the Super Bowl and it was very anti-climactic. It was really bad football because nobody wanted to be playing and it just didn't work just very very anti-climactic right to end. The season answer a question comes to the past year is the rest of the year after Easter just one big CarMax. Well, that's my answer as well. But I never had someone come to me after service last week. And I know this person didn't mean anything by it. So if you're in the room and listen to this. Bentley's they said you're going to have a hard time topping this last series you did on the cross and the resurrection. Answer me this year seems harder because we're a 3-week parentheses here between Easter and our missions. Sorry on May 19th in the schedule. Cuz that's in the bulletin. We talked a little bit about that. But I do encourage you to try to be here for those four weeks. If you can be to hear the the missionaries, I think it's going to be a great month and encouragement and as I mentioned before last month, so I was left with the question this week. What am I going to talk about for these two weeks in between? And I looked at a lot of different things. And because I had talked last week about how every week we get together should be a celebration of the Resurrection I decided I'm just going to keep talking about Resurrection Sunday this week. We're not talk more about what happened on that Resurrection Sunday. But so let's try and ask God's blessing on this morning. Navigate thank you for the resurrection where we thank you that we have a recorder for us what happened and glorious. We look into your word this morning. I pray that you will just guide and direct my thoughts and my words and hearts and Minds be open to what you have for each one this morning in Jesus name. Amen.
So if you remember back the last week and I know it was a long time ago, but we look at the early part of Resurrection Sunday, and we look at three trips to the tomb. We look first at the women going to the tomb had a break to prepare Jesus's body for burial and I realize, you know if they got there at the storm has moved away from the opening. And his body wasn't there and then the angels I told them that he was risen as he had said and so they went back and told the 11 disciples any other followers of Jesus, but that's far worse than believe that because first of all their women and second of all because I had forgotten what Jesus had said and actually I had someone again after service last week remind me to not I forgot what you said, but they really had forgotten what they had seen because I seen him resurrect Lazarus. They have seen him resurrect. And so that they knew that Jesus had this power, but they apparently had forgotten. Or didn't realize he had those that power for himself. And then Peter went to the tomb and he kind of way up marveling at what had happened and then the third trip to let you know we talked about was that each one of us needs to go to the tomb and realize that it's real and it's personal. We need to look at the evidence and realize the Singapore that evidence is that the resurrected Jesus appeared to over 500 people before he ascended back to Heaven is that scripture Accords for us and different Resurrection appearances of Jesus and other parents who started the very day that he was resurrected. So today I was walking on the road to the Village of Corte De Flores only in the Gospel of Luke in chapter 24 verses 13 through 35 and then break it down. Luke 24 13 through 35 That very day two of them were going to a village named 7 miles from Jerusalem and they were talking with each other about all these things that happened whatever talking to discussing together Jesus himself, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him and he said to them what is this conversation that you were holding with each other as you want and they stood still looking sad then one of them named Clearpath. Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days and he said to them what thing and they said to him concerning Jesus of Nazareth a man who was a prophet Mighty indeed and work before God and all the people and how are chief priests and rulers delivered him out to The Condemned to death and crucified him, but we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes. So besides all this it is now the third base and sees things happen more over some women of our company amazed us they were at the tomb early in the morning when I did not find his body that came back soon. Univision of angels who said that he was alive some of those who are the women had said for him. They did not see and he said to them old foolish One Snap hard to believe all of the Prophet has spoken was it not necessary that the price should suffer these things and enter into his glory and begin with Moses and all the prophecy interpreter to them in all the scripture the things concerning himself. So they do near to the Village to which they were going he acted as if he were going further but they urged him strongly saying stay with us for it is toward evening and embarrassed now far spent so he went in to stay with them when he was at the table with him. He took the bread and blessed it and broke it and gave it to them in their eyes were open and they recognized him and he vanished from their site. They said to each other did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road while he's open to us the scriptures and a rose that same hour and return to Jerusalem. Find the 11 and those who work with them gather together saying the Lord has risen indeed and has a field assignment then they told what had happened on the road and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Sorry, I asked you this morning. Have you ever had a day when you were just confused about what was going on? The things just didn't make sense. Well, I was thinking about that question and it may be the same for a lot of you today. It came to mind was September 11th of 2001. I was at school that morning at a community college in class. Got out of class at 8:50 right about the time and all the events started. And they eventually they sent us home and I remember very clearly on my way home. And of course we had two planes that have flown into buildings. I think by that point the one who crashed into the field in Pennsylvania, and I'm driving looking up at the sky not knowing what's going on. I confused wondering if Ranger I start coming down right where I'm at. I was confused. I was scared. It was a day that just simply didn't make sense. What are the resurrection? Was very confusing for many people. Jesus have been crucified in buried at Friday or Saturday we talked about last week was the Sabbath they could do anything we can go anywhere. And then on Sunday Sunday Broadway with the stories of Jesus's body not being in the Tomb. And in rumors about what must have happened to it somewhere even saying that he was alive. Also, the Passover Festival that everyone had been a gyro Singapore was now over and it was time to go home. That may simply is what thousands of people dead on that Resurrection Sunday kind of forget about that. We don't think about that because we start today celebrating it now. We're in church. We gather with family or friends before the Jews the Sabbath day today for worship was yesterday and now they need to go home and get back to work. I need to go back to normalcy. But the problem is there's not much of abnormal left for them because Jesus is now dad. It's something he's resurrected some don't believe that just yet. The events of that first Easter weekend to rest a lot of questions for the followers of Jesus and this account. Luke gives us I think some great insight into the thoughts and feelings and questions of the followers of Jesus on the day of the Resurrection Solon the time we have lots of smart people had with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Hopefully, give us an application for our lives as well. The first visit the Tomb of Jesus followers were heading home discussing the events of the past week 2 verse 13 Start off saying that very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus about 7 miles from Jerusalem. So remember that Jesus had several followers other than their the 12 now 11 disciples. They been in Jerusalem for the Passover had witnessed all they had happened and two of them are now on their way home to the Village of Emmaus. Now, we don't really know much about Emmaus. We do know that it no longer exists today commonly its associated with a village name and I'm going to get this robber Coupe Iva, which is 7 miles Northwest of Jerusalem. We don't really know but looks of appetizers about 7 miles from Jerusalem. The King James says it was three score or 60 furlongs, which Google told me was about seven and a half miles active if you leave here and you go and turn into battle Lumber off of Route 87 point to so about that far how far these guys were walking the average person walks about 3 miles per hour or so ago to take for these two to make this journey. Most everyone in that day walk from place to place there were no cars. There's no public transportation. Let me take so so imagine these these two walking on a dirt road maybe 6 to 8 feet wide going home to the Village of Emmaus. No way been a lot of people on the road this particular day. As we said Passover was over people that heading home. There were people who have been individuals. Just walking by the way Ben like the interstate on Thanksgiving weekend just a lot of traffic. Is there a walk-in assign a Paris is Bruce 14,000 they're talking about the things that had taken place in Jerusalem and on these things that are talking honestly are the events for the past week that led to the death of their friend and Savior Jesus and a strange reports. Are we now swirling about in regards to an empty tomb and Angelic visitations in the perplexing news with the women that come back from the chilling with it that Jesus was alive.
Well, who were these two people were walking home clear Patsy's named invoice 18. That's all we know about him is the only time that he's ever mentioned in scripture and we don't know who the other one was some kind of terrorist leaders a man named Simon. It was Simon. It would not have been side repeater on a different man named Simon. Many commentators who I would probably tend to agree with believe it would have been clear piss his wife since later on. We see the Jesus was everybody to stay in their home for the evening meal and we will not know that I have to answer that question until we get to have it. What we do know is if the two of them were having a deep conversation as they walked along the road. They been part of the group that followed Jesus, but now Jesus was dead. And they were all going their separate ways back to their respective home and they're stealing disappointment and grief and confusion. You know, sometimes we can be like these two people. If a cat usually doesn't take very long and safe journey to become disappointed things. He still had expected a messiah is ready to conquer and drive out the Romans. Dial Jesus in their minds was disqualified because he was dead. And they were disappointed. And I like these two Disciples of Jesus. We often experience things that we don't expect. We have difficulties that occur that we don't envision. And we can have the mindset. Sometimes you don't respond when Jesus and things are supposed to go the way that we think they should go. Where was following him things are supposed to go right for us? I'm doing God's work. Why am I struggling with this? Is this just doesn't make sense? But the fact is that guy continually challenges our preconceptions of things because his ways are not our ways and God will stretch us to make and sometimes that will involve things not going the way that we expect them to go. Restaurant electromancer certainly experienced things that they did not expect to experience things have not gone at all. The way that they had envisioned that they were going to go with Cheese's. We're about to be joined by a stranger, but they didn't recognize who would help them to understand about a stranger walks with verses 15 through 17. So are they still walking and discussing the disastrous and their minds events are taking place in there trying to make sense of everything that happened. Events at turn the world upside down in a third person comes and joins them on the road and went about an uncommon occurrence was beside the roadway been really busy that would have been a lot of people around 15 times. I said, it was Jesus, but the issue. They don't know that because they're kept from recognizing a dress near to that water absorbing their top and before they even realize that he's there. He's already walking next to them. It's a down. He's just another Pilgrim on the road on the way home. As I mentioned verse sixteen tells us that they were kept from recognizing him. This was the resurrected Jesus the guy that they had followed. They should know him, but they were cats for whatever reason from recognizing him. God didn't want them to know who he was just yet. Instead of recognizing him and and that's why I was dropping and worshiping him because he's alive. Jesus really becomes Interruption to these two. I love verse 17. Wake up, whatever 17 size and he said that was this conversation that you were holding with each other as you want. If you have kids I guarantee this is happened to you. You're having a conversation with your spouse or someone else. And what are your kids comes along and says? Hello. What are you talking about? What happened to Megan and I just the other day where in the car is in the back seat not paying attention all the sudden. What are you guys talking about?
Jesus he interrupts our conversation and says
If you like me these kind of interruptions can sometimes be rather annoying my initial reaction is to say you know, this is an A B conversation.
What they don't do this. They actually to their credit in that moment in a missionary confusion and sadness and disappointment. They actually make the right choice. They don't say what we probably would all be tempted to say another case that might have been wild, but they didn't. You don't think about how would you react if you're on the sidewalk walking talk to someone in a stranger comes up and interrupts you and just says we talked about. We probably wouldn't react as well as cheap as these two guys. They can easily dismiss. Jesus is a nosy third wheel. They allow him to enter their conversation when Jesus asked this question that we resign verse 17. Their faces tell him the story. Partly of what what they're feeling it says they stood still looking sad the old saying it's written all over your face that was certainly the case in this moment for these two. They stopped abruptly. They stood still looking sad with this appointment of dumbfounded as we'll see you in a minute about the strangest question. I think they had a deep-seated heart Brokenness over what they were experiencing. Over the death of Jesus because they were just expecting something so different than what had occurred. And you know, what are my eyes because we know the whole story we could say what if they're just believe which is a told them if they just remembered what they had seen him do it wouldn't be sad. But you know, we can all relate to be still. Because no one expects the Sunday because unemployed. No one expects to have a diagnosis of cancer or something else. No one expects their money to have a run out happens. When I expect a relationship to break down. Or students don't expect to fail an exam. Well, they might if they don't study but most things can easily though cause us to become downcast and sound just like these two were we got a sad look on her face as well. It's hard to hide sometimes when we're going through something that we don't expect but I think this is a really powerful picture right here because remember it's snow Resurrection Sunday or tons of places that Jesus could have been in this moment are awful lot of people that he could have appeared to and talk to Jesus knows that these two are walking around this road sad and confused and he takes time to walk with them and talk with us. That says a lot about Jesus in our lives as well. He's on this journey of life with us every single step of the way and he will always be there. And he will be there for as long as we need him. He's always there to listen always try to talk to us.
He will never leave us. He will never forsake us. He loves us enough to walk with us. Even when we doubt remember sad when were afraid when we were confused. Jesus is at work in our lives, even when we don't realize he's right there next to it working. He's working in the lives of these two, even though they didn't know it. They didn't know who he was yet. He does the same for us.
So serious is asked what they're talking about 30. They tell Jesus when it happened verses 18 through 24 Jesus's question with another question. He says are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days and I always are you totally oblivious to what's been going on? Have you been under a rock? I didn't realize the irony of that. So I just said it out loud. It was under a rock use behind a rock.
Sorry.
Why you say say this out loud before I get my car cuz can't imagine that anyone. Would not know what it happened over these last few days. Ain't no Jesus author like to ask question. We should all throughout the gospels and he does it once more here in these two. So Jesus ask a question Quickoffice answer the question and then Jesus asks another question back and I and I love the irony in this xpressions rocker. Jesus says one thing's a Jesus. He was at the center of everything that happened. He knows what happened, but he wants you to explain to him from their perspective. What happened in His companion. They go on to give a detailed explanation and verses 19 through 24. And first day, I identify their friend and leader who is Nazareth. That's what the sign above him on a cross that do identify himself to identify him and give us private said it's a Jesus of Nazareth King of the Jews may they would never reiterating who exactly it was all these Events at centered around they knew that it was Jesus was crucified. And then they say that he was a mighty prophet. They know that Jesus was a prophet. They knew that he was speaking for God or he was on the earth or they may have been confused about exactly what happened here. Look if used about the fact that he was really the Messiah.
And it goes like if you was about what happened earlier that morning when he rose from the dead, but they knew that he was a mighty Prophet. They knew that he was sent by God. What a great description. It doesn't quite go far enough. It's inadequate because we're across that Jesus was also the Son of God and he was now the resurrected savior. They say Jesus was mighty in word and deed. The Miracles that he had performed wise demonstrate his power over the natural and the spiritual realm Hill got it set up multiple occasions at this is my son in whom I am well pleased. This is no ordinary profit, but the Son of God crucified and now risen again, they knew who he was but in their hearts, they hadn't gone far enough. Nestle says the chief priests were responsible for his death. Should I go ahead and tell Jesus at the chief priests in the rulers delivered him to the sentence of death They Crucified him any and yes, Jesus was sentenced to death by a Roman governor in a Roman court and he was crucified on a Roman Cross by Roman soldiers, but these two days they'll mention the Romans at all. Are Millie The Executioner's carrying out the chew its leaders will? And their mind so religious leaders responsible for crucifying Jesus again close, but not quite far enough because we know that Jesus willingly went to the Cross you lay down his own life was at the religious leaders at all that made him go to cross the Jews in the Romans were merely the instruments that God used to complete the mission. Before they say that we had hoped for Redemption, you know, these are sad words because they say they had hoped for Redemption. It's in the past tense because Jesus is not dead. They can't fathom that the Messiah. would die these two along with the rest of the juice have been hoping for a messiah who would deliver them from the Roman government, but now they're on the road talking with Jesus the hope as well replace with confusion and despair. If you had 2 verse 21, it says it besides all this it is now the third day since all these things happen as each day passed. I think their despair may have grown deeper and deeper. Are they may have remembered in the back of their minds that the Messiah was supposed to raise You Raised on the third day. But they still haven't quite put it together because I didn't realize that Jesus was actually going to sire. They know what the body is missing. Women who are the children Peter and John it.
The one that are brought back a message from the angel that he was alive, but he's a women that can't be trusted. Choctaw career passing His companion at last year's love wondering what all this meant, you know, these two are very close to realizing the truth that identify with Jesus. They know that he was sent by God heat. They know that he spoke the word of God they know. Who they think was responsible for the death of Jesus and I believe and I believe that they're thinking about the implications of a missing body. Really really close to realizing the truth, but they are quite there yet. How many people are like that today? They're very close. They know who Jesus says they know that he is from God.
They know even that he was crucified on a cross. But they miss it by just a little bit. Leatherhead knowledge But they've never put it into their hearts. The fact is that Jesus had brought Redemption. Are Israel and everyone else just not in the form with these people were expecting. Is brass special Redemption through his death in his resurrection? Are closed but still knows what Jesus said in the next 3 Verses first. Jesus rebukes them and then he teaches them. It's two disciples confusion and unbelief about what happened clearly shows their need for understanding better. The reality of what happened. They needed to know that I really did Jesus rise from the dead by his death and Resurrection are essential features of him being the Messiah that they were hoping for. I need to understand why taking place was God's Eternal plan for the spiritual Redemption of Israel and the rest of his people. It is earlier questions and I answered had put him in a position to provide them with the answer that they were looking for anything needed. Yes, I am interested because Jesus it this way is right next to them. He's talking to them. He could have said at this point. Hold on a minute guys. I'm Jesus. The reason that there's no buying it to him is because I have arrived. Instead though. He is a little dismayed that they're thinking the way they are and if they don't quite fully time you home what's going on? And so he does not commend them for being closed and almost getting it right. It's that he rebukes that when he says in verses 25 and 26 Force One is so hard to believe all that. The prophet has spoken was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory at least do it right in her, but the but they still have to realize their application to Jesus. That tells us how important the resurrection is. Because you can have all kinds of great understanding about what Jesus says you can identify with him. You can confirm that he speaks about and for God. You can know I recognize that he was crucified and you can even see him as giving hope but if you don't understand the resurrection still foolishness in your heart. That's how point the resurrection is. It is the key to our Salvation. Jesus didn't raise from the dead by the grave. That is Paul wrote and we have no hope and we are of all men to be most. They still had missed the fact that the Messiah must first suffer before establishing his kingdom. There were expecting resided. We're coming establish his kingdom on Earth. You know, there's really no excuse for the lack of understanding because y'all testing it was very very clear about this until jesus takes them to scripture as you read a verse 27, he used to show them exactly who he is and why he suffered instead of being a Cochran King that they had his vision and how he was now the resurrected savior.
He uses the scriptures to teach them to see him as the suffering Messiah whose body is missing. Navigate it was stolen or not because they moved it because he is risen from the dead. And it seems he taught them all the way till they get to Emmaus as we said. It's about 2 or two or three-hour walk. So he had a lot of time to teach them in the next few verses that they arrived in an acid-free. The eyes are opened verses 28 through 30 to a survey of the Old Testament left stunned and overwhelmed the village of a mass. Jesus asked if he was going to keep traveling and go on further or to mislead them in any way, please give me a chance to respond. Because they can either say well, thanks for the instruction. Thanks for the conversation safe travels. Or and then then just let him walk away or they can make the choice to talk to him more it Corpus as companion Knew by this point that there's something going on here. They knew that there was something different I think about this change of the pavement on the road and it join in with their conversation and subsequently taking over the conversation and they wanted more instruction and didn't practice teaching to at 7:29 to stay with them the original language reads. Like they use physical Force to compel him to stay. Service sanitation. It wasn't motivated necessarily about Hospitality but motivated more. Because they wanted more understanding of God's revelation. And so the conversation continues as they go to their house in Jesus. There's something very interesting and it says when he was at the table with him, he took the bread and breast and broke it and gave it to them in the host place to break the bread and initiate the meal not the best place to do that at all. I support you know that this action parallels what Jesus did at the Last Supper and also parallels what he did in the feeding of the 5000 but this this was not the Lord's Supper. This was just an ordinary meal has performed this act 31 be read in their eyes were open they recognized him. They finally see Jesus for who he is the Risen Savior. Jesus reveals himself Many times in ordinary everyday things here. He was simply having a meal that he broke the bread in me and he was revealed to them. Sometimes he will reveal himself to us spectacular in Mighty ways. But often times it's in the simple ordinary everyday thing. Smile or a kind word or a hug from someone who Jesus is revealed. I was thinking about last summer. We had Vacation Bible School and talk about God siding with the kids saw throughout the week just ordinary everyday things. What's everyone goes on to say when they recognized him he vanished from sight? So I can imagine these two disciples day has completely turned around and now they're Overjoyed instead of being in despair. And sadness they're overjoyed. And if that there was so overwhelmed and joyful the sixth lie. They quickly went back to Jerusalem to share the good news. This journey home from Jerusalem in despair. Go because I had connected with Jesus on the journey. The journey was transformed and I think that the journey back to Jerusalem probably was quite as faster than the journey from Jerusalem to Amman. Now instead of the spare confusion. It was a journey of anticipation of Hope and of joy and reread it. They returned and found the fire Jesus including the 11 disciples and I tell them all about what happened. I will refer them to look 24 as they were talking Jesus appears again the followers of Jesus and had their hearts transform by these appearances by the teaching of Jesus.
Our hearts should also burn as verse 32 says and be transformed. When we hear the teachings of Jesus from his word just who Jesus is in her that he had to suffer and die and then be buried but ultimately the spirit day rise from the dead and walked out of that tomb our hearts burn within us and be transformed because of what he did for us. What she just did redeem mankind by Conquering the Romans mankind by conquering death. Understanding the power and importance of the Resurrection puts everything into perspective United sense. We're on the road to Emmaus. We're all on a journey of life. We are going to have times of confusion in despair. We all have days when life is simply confusing. Much like these two on the road to Emmaus we confused about what happened in the last few days. We could feel that way at times two. We're confused when that diagnosis comes were confused when that job son Leon's or whenever relationships only answer. Any number of things happened to us before I have to remember that Jesus. He's always with us. And he will reveal himself to us and then that confusion can give way to peace. the confusion of Resurrection Sunday gateway to peace and joy when Jesus revealed himself to these two disciples No, he's not going to force himself on us. He waited for an invitation from these two before he went into their house and subsequently revealed himself to them. Is there an Extended an invitation to him he would have kept right on walking and they would have never known that the man who was walking with them and talking with them and teaching them was the resurrected Jesus himself
Likewise Jesus walked by us. We're going to end up being defeated by our problems. We're going to swap our sorrows gray broken by our hardships. We're getting downcast because we're confused and disappointed.
At least you would have experienced all this and they would never have known that Jesus had risen from the dead and was alive. just as he said he would be Jesus is alive today. We talked about last week the evidence.
The biggest piece of evidence says that he's alive because he said he would come back to life. Jesus is alive today and he wants to walk with us every single step of the way. So do not let him pass by let's pray.
Lottery thank you for this account from Luke of these two on the road to Emmaus and how they allow Jesus to enter into the conversation how he taught them? And ultimately how he reveals himself to them in their hearts were transformed. So what I pray that we will realize that you are with us that you have things to tell us you have things that teach us that pray that we will let you come in and transform our hearts and our lives are please don't let us just let you walk by. Let us let you be in an interruption if you will in our lives. I will listen to you. Listen to your instruction. Thank you for your word Lord for what we can take from in Jesus name. Amen. Address is used to let their their eyes were open and they could see who Jesus was. My prayers are we will have our eyes opened as well. So you'll stay open our eyes Lord.
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