The Road to Emmaus

Introduction: In serving the Lord have you ever had events that drained your motivation and caused you to ponder and do nothing?

A. Two men, Cleopas and an unnamed man were in such a situation. (Luke 24:13-24)

Luke 24:13-24 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” 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?” 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, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him   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. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 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.”

1. The events of the crucifixion had shaken their confidence to the point were the redemption of Israel was considered a past failed event!

2. These were men who had come to believe that Jesus was a prophet, but there is no mention of Him being the Son of God.

 B. In these circumstances they proved to be blind to many things.

1. While they heard of the evidence of His resurrection, they had not yet believed.

2. They had so discouraged themselves that they did not recognize Jesus when He walked with them. Have you ever been in such a state?

 I. Hindrances to seeing the Risen Lord

 A. By failing to see the true spiritual work of His kingdom.

1. They likely thought the redemption of Israel was going to be in a physical way. 

 Luke 24:21 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.

 Matthew 20:21-22 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand And the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

 Acts 1:6-8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

2. These same false expectations caused Peter to be overconfident. (Mk 14:29-31)

Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”  But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.

            3. Many become disappointed in the Lord over things He has never promised.

 B. By allowing material things to cloud our sight.

1. God has not promised us physical wealth. (Mt 19:29)

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

2. How does God give us riches?

Lk 12:21   “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

Romans 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.

2 Cor 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

 3. Sadly many have put their confidence in things that do not last. It is good if they lose these things and in the process find the Lord.

1 Tim 6:17-18 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

Revelation 3:17-18 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

 4. How do you react to troubles over physical things? Do you see the Lord?

 C. By allowing disappointments in men to cloud our sight.

1. Jesus prepared His disciples that men would seek after their hurt. (John 16:1-3)

John 16:1-3 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.

2. The greatest hurts will come from other Christians.

3. Paul knew there were those who were not true brothers.

2 Corinthians 11:26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

Galatians 2:4     And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty Which We  have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),

 4. There were some who were trying to destroy Paul.                        

Philippians 1:16-18  The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but The Latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 

2 Corinthians 10: 10-12 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.” Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present. For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 

4. Have the sins of other brethren discouraged you? Do you see the Lord? 

D. By allowing the tests of our faith to cloud our sight.

1. How many have said: “If God really loved me …”. Be careful!

2. We are told that our faith will be tested.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

James 1:3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

1 Peter 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be  found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 

3. How many have given in to sin rather than wait on God’s way.

Hebrews 11:35-39  Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,

4. Has the issues of life disappointed you? Do you see the Lord?

II. The fire of God’s truth can purify our hearts. 

A. These men had reached the point where they could not see. (Lk 24:21-33)

Luke 24:21-33 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. Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 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.” Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 

1. They had become so entrenched in their erroneous thinking that they could not see the truth.

 How did Jesus get them to see? 

2. He did not appeal to their “self-esteem” or appeal to their emotions. These things are not a foundation but often are a hindrance. 

B. Jesus instilled faith in these men by appealing to the scriptures! 

1. Rather than being a calamity, His death was a victory.  

Luke 24:25-27 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not The Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.  

2. This was no shallow study of a verse or two but: “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures”. 

3. Where is your faith?                    Is it built upon this foundation? 

4. Some passages He could have used.

Isaiah 7:14  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name  Immanuel. 

 Micah 5:2  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth To Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.” 

C. Many are afraid to build their lives on such a foundation. (Matt 7:24-27)

Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on The rock: the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 7and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” 

1. Many do not trust God. They are what they are from tradition and not conviction.  

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

2. Others are afraid to study because they would find they are in error and the scriptures would demand change. (Jn 3:19-21) 

John 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, Because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

3. Still others open the scriptures but not their hearts. 

III. The fire of God’s Truth will move us into action. 

A. Jesus brought this flame into their hearts.

Lk 24:32   And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He Opened  the Scriptures to us?” 

1.      They were going home to eat a late supper, tired and dejected. But as Jesus spoke the flame began to be kindled. They now see the truth: 

“He is risen!” 

2. They are energized and hurry back to Jerusalem ready to work. 

B. One of the great problems we face in the church is the number of good people who have a weak faith. 

1. You need not just to have faith, but a strong faith. A weak faith can blind you. 

2. Peter was taught this lesson when he tried to walk on the water 

Matthew 14:29-31  So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 

C. A living faith will fill your heart and make you active.

2 Corinthians 4:13-14     And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 

1. The early disciples were zealous and caused changes wherever they went. 

Acts 17:6  But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out,  “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 

Acts 8:3-4   As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them To prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 

2. This person cannot sit on the sidelines! 

Can you see the risen Lord?                  Is He in your life?     He must be invited in.  

Revelation 3:20-22  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

B. The issue is not  “how much you know” but “who you know”. (Col 2:12) 

Colossians 2:12  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.