The Road To Emmaus

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?