The Gospel message captures the heart and imagination.

In his account of the Gospel, Mark mentions that two disciples of Jesus, walking to the country on the day of Jesus‘ resurrection, encountered the risen Lord (Mark 16:12). However, Luke, in his account of the Gospel, tells the story about these two disciples in substantial detail. It is this account on which this lesson is based. In fact, in relation to Jesus‘ resurrection, this is one of the most important, interesting, and informative narratives in the New Testament. Luke says these two disciples of Jesus were walking to the village of Emmaus, when the risen Lord joined them. They did not immediately recognize Jesus, but He engaged them in a revealing conversation.

GOLDEN TEXT: Luke 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

THE RISEN LORD COMES NEAR

A. Two Disciples Walking and Talking

Luk 24:13  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs (7 miles).

Luk 24:14  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

…….Verse 13 specifically describes the two men being 7 miles away from where Jesus was crucified. Remember, this is before any kind of communication technology, but the news of Jesus was spreading quickly. Just imagine the talk of everyone who had some kind of confidence in Jesus, to know that He lived to do good for others and this is how the world repaid Him.

B. Jesus Joins the Two Disciples

Luk 24:15  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned (investigating), Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Luk 24:16  But their eyes were holden (held back) that they should not know him.

…….Were these disciples so discouraged that they didn’t even recognize the Lord was in their presence? Or were they so deep in conversation about what had taken place that their focus couldn’t be distracted? Whatever the case may have been, Jesus was walking right next to them and they never realized it.

Response to the Word: The experience of the two disciples who did not realize Jesus was present with them is, in some ways, reminiscent of our own experience as disciples of Jesus. We know that, in fact, Christ is always with us, but we are not always cognizant of his presence. Sometimes, we may feel that Christ is not with us, but that is only a feeling, not the reality. Regardless of how we feel about it, the reality is that Christ will never leave nor for sake us. Sometimes we pray that Christ will be with us, when what we really need to ask is that we will be spiritually and mentally aware that He is with us. We need to remind ourselves that He is present, so His presence will guard our thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds. We are at our best when we know Christ is with us.

THE RISEN LORD TEACHES

A. Two Disappointed Disciples

Luk 24:17  And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Luk 24:18  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?

Luk 24:19  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:

Luk 24:20  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

Luk 24:21  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.

…….Though they never said that they believed Him to be the Son of God, their wording, “we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel” tells us that they did believe at some time He was the Messiah.

Luk 24:22  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

Luk 24:23  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.

Luk 24:24  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.

…….Just think about it, they are walking and talking about the man, who was the most popular person of His time, the man they knew was going to redeem Israel and save them from their sins, and this stranger walks up and doesn’t even comprehend. Their hopes of Jesus truly being the Christ were obviously dashed, and all the belief has turned into depression. Where was their faith? Had they been crazy for following this man for all this time? Were the miracles they witnessed real or just an illusion? Was everything they believed as disciples in vain? This is exactly how the enemy wants us to feel in the middle of a disaster. This is why it is so important to hold on to those moments and promises you have with the Lord. Never forget what the Lord has done for you and in you, there will be a day you need them.

B. Jesus Taught the Scriptures

Luk 24:25  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

…….Though they were hesitant in their beliefs, and though Jesus rebuked them, He did not turn them away or leave them sad. They needed to be ministered to and that’s exactly what Jesus would do.

Luk 24:26  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

…….He triggers their memory again about what they had learned before.

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

…….Following his introductory statement about the prophecies regarding the Messiah, Jesus proceeded to teach the two disciples from the Old Testament, beginning with the book of Moses and going through all the Prophets, explaining to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Jesus was a teacher of scripture during His earthly ministry before his death, and He was a teacher of scripture after His resurrection.

Response to the Word: The resurrected Jesus, before He allowed the two disciples to see Him as the risen Lord, sought to help them see Him as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. A professed faith in Christ, which is not based on Holy Scripture, will be a shallow faith that cannot endure. To be continually growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, we must continually read, study, and hear the Word of God, that we may know and believe in Jesus as the Messiah, as He is revealed in all the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament. Read, study, and hear the Word of God.

THE RISEN LORD RECOGNIZED

A. Hospitality and Revelation

Luk 24:28  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

Luk 24:29  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

Luk 24:30  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

Luk 24:31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Luk 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

…….Sometimes it takes a little more persistence than others. Though they didn’t know they were in the presence of the Lord, they were hungry for what they were experiencing. They needed reassurance that Jesus was who and what He always said He was, and He gave them just that.

B. Testifying of the Risen Lord

Luk 24:33  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

Luk 24:34  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

Luk 24:35  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

Luk 24:36  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Response to the Word: Luke’s account of the two disciples who saw the resurrected Jesus in the breaking of bread, makes great the importance of continuing Christian communion, the fellowship and familyhood of believers in Christ. Central to this fellowship is the observance of holy communion, which is a continual reminder to us that our fellowship is with the forever living Jesus Christ, and our fellowship is also with all of our brothers and sisters who are believers in Christ. Sustaining this fellowship is a reminder to us that we belong to something much greater than ourselves, the worldwide household of faith, composed of people of every kindred, tongue, tribe, and nation, who know Jesus Christ is alive, and love him sincerely as their Savior and Lord.