THE BEST NEWS SINCE NEWS HAS BEEN NEWS (IN THE MIST OF DISPARE)

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Emmaus: the city and location are unknown. It was about seven miles out of Jerusalem, which would take somewhere around two hours to travel by foot.

1 (24:13–14) Hopelessness—Despair—Devastation: the first scene was that of a lonely walk by two people who were sad, despairing, and very preoccupied.

The day is important: it was “that same day” that the women discovered the empty tomb and reported it to the disciples (the resurrection day, Easter Sunday). The news had been received with skepticism, as utter nonsense. These two, Cleopas and his companion, had either been present or else had heard the news from some other source. As they made their way to Emmaus they were sad, gripped by a spirit of despair over the Lord’s crucifixion. Their hope that Jesus was the promised Messiah had been devastated, dashed against the rocks of death. But in their despair, their thoughts were rushing wildly about, entangled, wondering about the report of the women concerning the empty tomb and the angels. What did it mean?

The point to note is their emotions and thoughts, their …

• sadness and despair (over the Lord’s death)

• devastated hope (in believing that Jesus was not the Messiah)

• rushing and entangled thoughts (over the reports of an empty tomb and angels)

Thought 1. The scene is a symbol of the despair that grips so many in life. Their hopes are devastated, hopes for …

• family

• school

• meaning and purpose

• profession

• acceptance

In their sadness and despair, somewhere, they hear reports of the empty tomb and of the living Lord; but they do not know what the reports mean, not personally.

“My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul” (Jb. 10:1).

“For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed” (Ps. 31:10).

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me” (Ps. 42:6).

“I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me” (Ps. 69:2).

“But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well-nigh slipped” (Ps. 73:2).

2 (24:15–27) Jesus Christ, Death—Misconception—Puzzlement—Questioning—Perplexity: the second scene was consideration of three questions. Note the exact words as Cleopas and his companion walked along: “While they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them” (suneporeueto, imperfect tense). The idea is that they were so absorbed in their despair and talk that Jesus was already walking along with them when they noticed Him. But note: they did not know Him.

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them,

2. The second question: “What events? What circumstances could possibly cause such sadness and despair?” (v. 19–24). Cleopas answered, covering three subjects.

a. Jesus’ death.

⇒ He was a great prophet.

⇒ The rulers crucified him. (Note the whole world is implicated. The Jews delivered Him, and the Gentile Romans condemned and crucified Him.)

⇒ We had trusted (elpizomen, hoped) that He was the Messiah, the One who was to save Israel.

b. Jesus’ prophecy of three days. There is significance in the term “three days.” Cleopas was sharing how their dead Master had told them …

• to watch for the third day, for some unusual event.

• that He had spoken of “rising again on the third day,” whatever that meant.

• that they thought the words meant that His triumph would take place on the third day. (See outline and notes—Lu. 18:31–34 for more discussion.)

c. Jesus’ empty tomb and perplexing reports from certain women, reports …

• of an empty tomb

• of a vision of angels

• of Jesus’ being alive

• that had been confirmed

• that Jesus was not seen

Thought 1. World events and the terrible things that happen in life often make a person sad and despairing—such things as …

• being misunderstood

• being opposed

• being deserted

• being betrayed

• helplessness

• death

• hopelessness

• divisiveness

• loss

• fear

• injustice

Christ is concerned. He wants to know what it is that causes so much sadness and despair. He wants us to share our problems with Him.

Thought 2. The problem with the two from Emmaus, as it is with so many today, was their shortsightedness and unbelief.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?