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Luke 24:13-35
Gospel : Luke 24:13-35
Not the Jericho Road, but the Emmaus Road! They fell in with Jesus; not among
thieves! Here we see the benefits of good company and of good conversation.
Also an illustration of the promise "wherever two or three are gathered
together in My name...". Jesus was indeed in their midst, but travelling
incognito. For seven miles they failed to recognise him. What are you talking
about? he asked. Are you the only one in Jerusalem who doesn't know? As if
they'd met Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in July 1969 three days after the
Moon mission!
1. THE TRAVELLERS' ACCOUNT OF CHRIST 19-24
a. Their Evaluation of His Life and Character. 19
"He was a great prophet". WAS. But he's dead now.
b. Their Interpretation of His Sufferings and Death. 20
"They had him crucified". It was a great tragedy, for which the Chief Priests
and Pilate were to blame.
c. Their Indication of their Personal Disappointment. 21-24
"Our own hope" is dashed. They were expecting a political Messiah (contrary to
Scripture indications). "Some women saw a vision of angels". Their hopes were
suddenly raised; some of their friends went to the tomb; "but of him they saw
nothing". Hopes dashed again.
2. CHRIST'S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF 25-27
a. His Exasperation at their Slowness. 25
"You foolish men! so slow to believe the full message for the prophets!". Was
it not all written in the Scriptures? He did NOT YET show his nail prints.
They MUST understand the Scriptures first. They SHOULD have believed. A
Damoclean Sword of Doubt hangs over Scriptures. People discount the integrity
and inerrancy of the Scriptures. If you don't see Christ in the Scriptures,
then you won't recognise him on the road.
b. His Explanation of His Sufferings. 26
"Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer, and so enter into his
glory?". No gains without pains. The Cross comes before the Crown. The Glory
comes after the sufferings. Why was it ordained? because no other way could
sin be dealt with. Christ HAD to die for sinners.
c. His Exposition of the Scriptures. 27
The scarlet thread of the Gospel is traceable throughout the Law, the
Prophets, and the Writings. Eve; Abraham & Isaac; Joseph; Passover; Scapegoat;
Bronze Serpent; Psalm 22; Immanuel; Wonder Child; Suffering Servant; Righteous
Branch; Bethlehem Baby; etc. All through the Old Testament from Genesis to
Malachi.
3. CHRIST'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF 28-35
a. They invited him into their lives. 28-29
Come in, eat with us, stay with us. Have supper on us. Tell us some more! He
did (Rev 3:20). Have you invited Jesus into your life? Hear his voice; open
the door.
b. They knew him in the Breaking of the Bread. 30-31
Suddenly as He broke the Bread, they saw his hands! As soon as they
recognised him, he vanished. He has vanished from our communion table; but we
break the bread in remembrance of him, "discerning the Body" (1 Cor 11:29). He
did not stay for the blessing on the Cup; he would not drink again of the
fruit of the vine, until that day when he would drink it new with them in the
Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25).
c. They knew him in the Reading of the Scripture. (32)
"Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked to us on the road and
explained the Scriptures to us?". Immediately they rushed back to Jerusalem
and reported to the Eleven on what had happened (33-35). Will we not tell
others what Jesus has done for us? As soon as they did, Jesus appeared, gave
them his peace, and showed them his hands and his side. Thomas missed the
first show; but saw for himself a week later. He was happy because he saw and
believed. Happier still are those who have not seen, yet believe.
We believe in men on the moon, because we saw Aldrin and Armstrong on tv. We
believe in the resurrection, because we see Jesus in the Reading of the
Scripture and the Breaking of the Bread.
________________________________________________________________________
In Christ,
Ben
--
Revd Ben Crick, BA CF
232 Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9TD (UK)
http://www.cnetwork.co.uk/crick.htm
