The Road to Emmaus
There was a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. The view boasted a breathtaking peak of snowcapped rocks. On clear days the crested point reigned as king on the horizon. Its white tip jutted into the blue sky inviting admiration and offering inspiration. On days like this the hikers made the greatest progress. The peak stood above them like a compelling goal. Eyes were called upward. The walk was brisk. The cooperation was unselfish. Though many, they climbed as one, all looking to the same summit. Yet on some days the peak of the mountain was hidden from view. The cloud covering would eclipse the crisp blueness with a drab, gray ceiling and block the vision of the mountaintop. On these days the climb became arduous. Eyes were downward and thoughts inward. The goal was forgotten. Tempers were short. Weariness was an uninvited companion. Complaints stung like thorns on the trail. We’re like that, aren’t we? As long as we can see our dream, as long as our goal is within eyesight, there is no mountain we can’t climb or summit we can’t scale. But take away our vision, block our view of the trail’s end, or ask us to walk awhile in faith, and the result is as discouraging as the journey.
I want to speak to you today about a journey that not only changed the lives of two disciples, but began the ministry of spreading the good news that Jesus Christ is a risen savior. Now I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that I serve a God that is alive. I would hate to rise each morning and attempt to pray to a god of wood, stone, or gold. I would hate when I’m downtrodden to be depending on a dead god to help me. I’d hate to be up here trying to preach a message to you about some dead god. I’m glad today to be traveling on this road called life with the help of a risen savior, a living God! Let’s look at the journey of two disciples on the road to Emmaus in which they encountered our God who is risen!
TEXT: Luke 24: 13-27
The Road to Emmaus
13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. 17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” 18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who 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 crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
As I read and studied this passage I saw four distinct points of the disciples’ journey on the road to Emmaus. In fact let’s use the word road.
R: the Right way
O: Obstructed vision
A: our account; we all have one, it’s our life’s events
D: Detour when necessary
RIGHT WAY:
These disciples had just been given the account that the tomb was empty. Now we know according to the scriptures that they were saddened by this. We also know that all were confused. The Bible tells us the words of the women seemed to them like nonsense. Now, I can’t tell you why they were going to Emmaus. Maybe there were fellow believers there. Maybe they were going to consult someone after the events of the day. Maybe they were just returning home. So why can it be said they were going the right way?
Well, there are only two ways….the right way and the wrong way.
We know they did not go to Pilate and create a scene because of anger. They did not try and find some Roman soldiers to confront in retaliation for the undue punishment inflicted on Christ. They did not return to the tomb and weep over a missing body. They did not go back to Calvary and relive the moment. They did not just fold their arms and do nothing because they did not understand everything that had happened. So we can say they were going the right way.
Now, I can’t help but think they were returning home on a mission. A seven mile walk gives time for reflection. We can read in the scriptures that the two disciples were reflecting on the recent events. During this reflection, the Bible tells us “Jesus himself drew near and went with them”
Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
We can rest assured that when we are heading the right way, Jesus will draw near. Of course the opposite guarantees His absence. Sometimes going the right way means traveling the road by faith. I believe there are many here today that would agree that there is confusion, frustration, and even sadness sometimes on the road. I believe on the authority of the Word that we can travel our road going the right way in faith that Jesus will join us. He will lead us as long as we are willing to follow. What a great comfort we can take in knowing we are being led by the Lord. This is especially important for those times when we may not know exactly where we are going.
OBSTRUCTIONS:
The Bible says, “their eyes were restrained, so they did not know him.” I believe this occurred for a purpose. As we look at this scripture it’s almost like a movie and we want so badly to step onto the pages and say, “Hey guys Jesus just came into our midst. The disciples were headed the right way, but their vision was obstructed. The eyes of their hearts were clouded by the recent events. One said, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.”
However, Jesus knew that very soon His disciples and all His followers would no longer be able to see Him with physical eyes. He looked through the centuries of time and knew that no believer would ever see Him until the His second coming. He knew that you and I would not be able to lay our physical eyes upon Him until His second coming. He cared enough about each of us to teach us here.
Jesus knew that belief in Him would soon occur through the eyes of men and women’s hearts. We as believers would need faith that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. We would need faith that He ascended to Heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father.
Many today cannot believe in Him because they cannot see Him. Our faith is foolishness. However, one day all eyes will see Jesus. And the Bible says that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Still there are others that profess Him to be Christ, but there heart’s vision is obstructed. He comes to walk with them on their road, but they do not recognize Him. There are obstructions that hinder them from sensing His presence. We not only need to be going the right way, we need the Lord to remove the obstructions from our vision.
Illustration
At one time great rafts of loose logs were floated down the rivers to the timber mills. Loggers could be seen skipping across the logs in an effort to keep them moving freely. If a particular log became caught upon a rock or obstruction, thousands of logs could be piled up in what became a huge log jam. When the logger found this key log and freed it, the jam would be broken and the logs would glide smoothly again. Sometimes the jam would be so great, that dynamite had to be used to free the key log. The analogy of sin in the Christian’s life is clear.
Is your love for Christ flowing smoothly or have you allowed the obstruction of sin to block the free flowing love for Christ. Is there a particular sin or snare that has created a jam in your life? Jesus is walking and He is ready to free your sin jammed life. Allow Him to walk in today.
ACCOUNT
I am reminded of Sam’s daily question when I come home. It’s a question she has asked me for as long as I can remember. She asks it on the good days and the not so good days. She always asks me “How was your day?” She is asking what’s your account of the day. She even asks when my face is downcast. She asks despite me sometimes saying very sarcastically “It was great!” You may be thinking, “Well I wouldn’t be asking you anymore buddy. But you see it’s Sam’s love for me that asks on those bad days. Now I ask you, How much greater is God’s love for you and for me!
Just as the two disciples talked with Jesus that day on the road to Emmaus we have this opportunity. Notice they did not ignore Jesus although at the time they did not know who he was. It is apparent they willingly walked with Him and began to share their account of the recent events. They began to share the account of their life’s story. They shared what was on their heart. They did not try and hide their feelings. The Bible tells us they their faces were downcast. They allowed Jesus to examine their hearts that day. Although Jesus was not recognized by their eyes I believe their hearts recognized His presence. See there is something about being in the presence of the Lord.
I wander if we daily are as open to Jesus as these two disciples were. Now you may say He doesn’t want to talk with me. Oh yes He does! His voice is described in the Bible as a still small voice. Jesus is a gentleman though. Notice here that He did not say, “Hey you two stop. I need to talk with you.” Instead, “He drew near to them and went with them.” Jesus will never force himself on us. He gently invites Himself into our lives and wants to hear our account of the day. I believe God is speaking to people in this place today. The questions is will you listen. Will you invite Him in to hear your account? Will you invite Him in to walk with you? Invite Him to walk with you on the road you are traveling.
DETOUR
It is impossible to meet Jesus and not be changed. On this day the two disciples had met Jesus in despair. There is no doubt that their hearts were troubled. See they were looking for a Savior to come and set His kingdom up on Earth. They were perplexed when they saw Jesus crucified. They were disheartened when they heard that His body was no longer in the tomb. They seemingly forgot all that had been prophesied. They needed a detour on this road that they were traveling.
And we see in verses 25 -26 the detour Jesus offers. 25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
The next verses show that the two disciples chose the detour offered by Jesus. A road that had begun in despair ended in hope. What had begun as a journey of unknowns was changed when their paths merged with Jesus. What began as a spiritual dirt road full of obstructions quickly changed into a beautifully paved road. A road that allowed them to converse with the Master, break bread with the Master, and return to Jerusalem to spread the good news of a risen Savior. Maybe you came today in despair. Jesus is here today offering a detour for all who will accept. A detour of hope.
PRAYER
• On the road you are traveling are you heading the right way?
• Are the eyes of your heart obstructed today?
• When’s the last time you talked with the Lord and gave Him an account of what’s going on in your life?
• Do you need a detour today on the road you are traveling?
