https://www.bible.com/events/49592769
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
Encounters Part 3
The Emmaus Road encounter
Today we continue in our Easter teaching series called Encounters.
We are looking at different stories in the bible where people personally encounter Jesus. Today we are looking at Jesus’ encounter with two disciples walking down the Emmaus Road
What did this encounter mean for them? What can we learn for our lives today?
Luke 24:13-16
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
In Lukes Gospel, this is the first post-resurrection encounter of Jesus.
As they are walking along, the text says they were discussing everything that had happened. The language here indicates this more than a casual discussion- it was one of passion and perhaps even debate.
Disillusioned and confused, they start walking away- trying to sort it all out as they go down the road. And that’s when Jesus shows up.
Luke 24:17
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
The weight they were carrying becomes clear as Jesus invites himself into their conversation. Literally the emotion, the burden of what has just taken place is written all over their face.
Luke 24:18-21
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?” “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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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.
In the Jewish tradition, 3 days after death was the point of no return- death was final at that point.
For these disciples, it was more than Jesus that was dead- their hope of him overthrowing the Roman’s and returning the nation of Israel to a place of prominence and freedom was over too.
What they had focused on, what they thought was sure to come, what they were excited about- was over. It didn’t come, and seemingly never would.
Have you ever been there?
Luke 24:22-24
In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Luke 24:25-27
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Jesus continues the conversation with some stiff words- calling out their resistance to believing all that was written about Jesus.
It’s interesting here- Jesus doesn’t go after them for not believing his own teaching, or his own words about his identity and resurrection. He doesn’t even rebuke them for not believing the testimony of the women, or the other disciples, or even the empty tomb itself.
He calls them out because they have not believed what the word of God, the bible said about him.
Luke 24:28-29
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 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.
Jesus was willing to walk a little while with these disciples as they were walking away. But he stayed with them because they asked.
Luke 24:30-32
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?”
One encounter is all it took and their hearts were aflame with hope. The scriptures and the stories they couldn’t figure out, were now alive and right in front of them. And their hearts were on fire.
All of the information, the questions, the thoughts they had about Jesus, came alive in the person of Jesus, right before their eyes. This was the encounter that changed everything for these two disciples.
Luke 11:9-13
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
We know from this encounter story that Jesus is alive.
We know that he is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan according to the scriptures.
And he is still encountering people who are seeking him in the every day events of life.
The question that remains for us is simply this: Will you look for Jesus, right here? Here in the everyday moments and needs of your life?
Will you ask, seek, and knock for an encounter with Jesus himself?