Meeting Jesus Where You Are

On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13–35

Fantastic! Outstanding! Incredible! Thanks to the internet, movies, thrill rides, and TV ad campaigns, we have come to expect that if life isn’t “sensational,” something must be wrong. If we are not careful, we can apply those expectations to our spiritual journey and fail to see the hand of God in the ordinary events of life. Even more tragic, we might fail to recognize His loving care for us in the midst of trials.

Let’s face it, life typically isn’t fantastic. Usually, life is ordinary and sometimes painful. But that is when we do the most learning and growing. That is when we have the greatest opportunity to encounter the risen Jesus . . . if we have eyes to see.

1. Understand the Setting (Luke 24:13–16)

Prior to His arrest, Jesus traveled up and down the strip of land once ruled by David and Solomon, inviting the people of Israel to become a part of His kingdom, promising abundant life. His followers fully expected that He would become their king and that Israel would again be prosperous and free. He was their Messiah. But on one fateful Friday afternoon, as the sun fell behind the horizon, the Son of God hung cold and lifeless on a Roman cross just outside the city walls.

As the sun rose on Sunday morning and the Passover feast came to an end, two of Jesus’s followers, disillusioned and resolving to leave their foolish dreams in Jerusalem, left for home. The dejected pair began the seven-mile walk to Emmaus even as rumors of resurrection circulated among the ranks of Jesus’s disciples (Luke 24:13).

Luke describes the disciples’ conversation as bantering ideas back and forth with great emotion in a shared search for answers (Luke 24:14–16). The Greek phrase homileo suzeteo, “talking and discussing” (24:15), would be more literally translated as “conversing” and “disputing.” The disillusioned followers desperately wanted to know why their expectations of the Messiah had come to such a tragic end.

2. A Revealing Question (Luke 24:17–29)

Luke employed a clever narrative device called literary irony, in which the reader is aware of important facts that are hidden from the characters.

And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” (Luke 24:14–17)

Jesus asked a question designed to engage the men in conversation, but Cleopas’ reply reveals a delightful paradox for the reader: “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” (Luke 24:18). Of course, if anyone understood what had happened, it was Jesus! They did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead, so they were left with three faulty perspectives.

First, their viewpoint lacked a spiritual understanding, just leaving them with a human understanding of the events. Take note how Cleopas characterized the death of Jesus. Don’t miss the lack of any divine involvement.

Second, their own agenda determined their expectations. Many disciples made the mistake of thinking that the Messiah would merely recapture the glory days of King David. In other words, they hoped Jesus would bring Israel the same power and prosperity she once enjoyed, only magnified and multiplied. Given their exclusive worship of God, this would not be an inappropriate wish. But compared to the reality that lay before them—Roman oppression and a dead Messiah—their hopes for glory seemed to have been utterly destroyed.

Third, they failed to acknowledge the resurrection. If these two followers believed that Jesus had risen from the dead, two things would have been true. First, they would have been walking toward Jerusalem to see the risen Lord, not away. Second, they would have seen the trials, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus as the fulfillment of all He promised, not as the end of their hopes.

The Gospel accounts of Jesus’s life were originally documents intended to be read aloud in Christian gatherings. When the reader reached the part of the story in which Cleopas recounted the events of the past three days, the tension among the listeners must have been unbearable, because the two followers simply did not have the eyes to see what should have been plainly visible (Luke 24:16).

Finally, Jesus broke His silence to bring a reproof, ask a question, and offer an explanation. In the reproof, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25), Jesus demonstrated that the two followers knew the contents of Scripture but did not accept its message as truth. As a result, they failed to see God’s sovereign plan. His question, “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” pointed to the reason for their unbelief (Luke 24:26). They had confused their own expectations with the hope God was offering, and they had failed to see God’s ultimate purpose.

To help the two followers see, Jesus reviewed the entire history of Israel from the time of the Exodus to His own resurrection, highlighting God’s plan for the Messiah (24:27).

3. A Fascinating Dinner (Luke 24:30–35)
In keeping with ancient Near Eastern rules of hospitality, the two followers then invited the “stranger” to stay the night. Jesus accepted their offer, yet maintained His cover in order to complete the lesson He had begun teaching them just outside Jerusalem.

According to 24:16, their eyes were prevented from recognizing Jesus. He revealed His identity only after taking great pains to explain to them “the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (24:27).

Luke concludes this story with another bit of irony. The disciples had been staring into the face of the risen Jesus, yet they were prevented from seeing Him until they buried their faulty expectations. Then, a careful review of the Scriptures gave them a divine perspective on what they once saw as dismal circumstances. Once their eyes were opened to the reality and implications of the resurrection, Jesus became visible to their physical eyes. The Greek phrase ophthalmos dianoigo epiginosko, translated “eyes were opened and they recognized Him,” literally means “their eyes were completely opened” and “they came to fully comprehend Him.” This action was more than a mere recognition of His features. They came to recognize Jesus in all His significance as the Messiah, the Son of God, and their risen Lord!Then Jesus literally became “invisible”—aphantos—meaning that He suddenly vanished from their midst once their eyes were open. Now, their new, resurrected hope carried them back to Jerusalem to bear the good news to others (Luke 24:33–35).

Application

As Luke tells the story of the two despondent disciples on the road to Emmaus, we cannot help but identify with their pain. We, too, are pilgrims on a journey through life. We, too, despair of life’s circumstances. We, too, lose heart when our expectations are very slow in coming or come to a tragic end. But remember, every trial is an opportunity to discover what God wants us to see.

As in the case of the two followers on the road to Emmaus, we must allow God to open our eyes. While this is something He must do on our behalf, we can nonetheless make the process less difficult in four specific ways.

1. Invite God in. Have you invited the Lord into your life? Cleopas and his companion listened intently to the Voice of truth and invited Him into their home. If you haven’t begun a relationship with God, you will continue to struggle in vain.

2. Surrender your expectations. Personalize the following prayer and then offer it to God.

My Heavenly Father, I greatly desire to _____________ ______________________. While this expectation is honorable and good, it is nonetheless mine and may not be all You have for me. I am frustrated and disillusioned because all my efforts to accomplish what I believe to be right sometimes fail to accomplish anything. Therefore, I must accept that the outcome I desire may not be what You desire. Lord, I release my expectation to you, and I humbly ask You to accomplish Your will in whatever manner You see fit and in whatever time You consider appropriate in my life. In Jesus Name I pray Amen.

3. Seek God’s perspective. To help the two disciples see their circumstances from God’s perspective, Jesus explained the Scriptures. And we have the same opportunity to share God’s vantage point by reading our only completely reliable source of truth, the sixty-six books of the Bible. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Simply set aside as little as ten minutes each day, and read.

4. Trust God’s timing. God, in His perfect discernment, did not allow the two disciples to recognize Jesus until the time was right. He didn’t allow them to suffer in grief a moment longer than was absolutely necessary, yet He didn’t end their discomfort too soon. Spiritual maturity rarely occurs instantaneously. Growth usually requires a journey, and journeys take time. Submit to God’s will and trust His timing. He is faithful.

Conclusion

Circumstances, especially those involving loss, are usually perceived as difficult because reality does not mesh with our expectations. The two followers on the road to Emmaus undoubtedly felt utterly alone as they mourned the death of their dreams. During their suffering, God was indeed nearby, and He allowed their pain to continue until their own desires no longer held them captive. 

Like the two on the road to Emmaus, you do not travel alone. God is with you. Are you willing to see Him? Are you willing to meet Jesus where you are?

Judgement Day Missed

I'm inquisitive by nature, so I spent some time researching why Family Radio and Harold Camping in Particular had been predicting that Judgement Day was May 21, 2011 at 6:00 PM and it was going to start in New Zealand.  I was also curious what they, and Camping in particular would have to say about the guarantee not coming to fruition.  Yesterday I listened to his (Camping's) press conference. There were no apologies or I was wrong statements.  Just clarifications from his understanding of what really happened.  He said that May 21, 2011 was in fact judgment day but it was a spiritual judgement day.  His story went on to say that  in 1988 judgement day came and anyone especially those associated with a church would be unable to be saved.  Camping emphasized that the 1988 date was the date that the Bible talks about coming as a thief in the night that only the father knew.  How Camping found out I don't know.  From that point forward Camping encouraged his followers to leave all main line denominations and formal church settings.  He went on to say that in 1994 a part of that judgement was lifted, and people not associated with a church, (the world), could now be saved.  That continued to May 21, 2011 when the door was once again closed and nobody can be saved.  This judgement will continue until October 11, 2011 when the world will be physically destroyed.  Don't get me wrong.  the Rapture of the church could happen tomorrow, and the tribulation period will begin.  The tribulation will last 7 years and Christ will return with His army of believers and cast Satan into prison for 1,000 years.  During this time Jesus Christ will reign on earth as King.  The signs of the times are at hand, and if you haven't accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Bible says today is the day of Salvation,  If anyone has questions or needs clarification, please contact me and I will do my best, based on the Bible to answer your questions.  But you need to be ready today, ready to meet your Savior.   We don't have room in this blog to go through the whole end of times timeline, but would happy to give anyone some reliable resources or discuss it with you if you ask.  A friend of mine Joe Manglass wrote a paper that describes our church age and why so many have become disillusioned.  We also need to recognize that many who have been following this false teacher Harold Camping will be wandering like sheep without a Shepard.  Please read the following and let the Lord speak to you. 

Thoughts on Harold's Followers

MEANT FOR PROFESSING CHRISTIANS ONLY

by Joe Manglass on Friday, May 20, 2011 at 6:31pm

Harold Camping’s observations on the church age being over are pretty compelling.  I’m not saying he’s right, but he turned what his followers were seeing into more reason for them to buy into his sickness. (The main reason is that they didn’t read the very book he used to exploit them.)  When we’re all here on Sunday, should they decide that Harold must have been wrong about the churches too, what will they find should they return to a local congregation?
They’ll most certainly be entertained.  Much of it is “worldly”.  They’ll find people who have never missed a Sunday service yet can’t even relate the Gospel in all its simplicity, let alone tell you why they believe what they believe – heck – if they even believe in God at all.  They’ll find pastors who don’t believe that the Bible is God’s Word to us today, in its entirety.  They’ll find pastor’s who are positively positive.  Their sermons are like business presentations and they’ll even include the quotes and Godless philosophies of today’s motivational gurus.  They’ll find pastors who if they are not women themselves, submit to one in their congregational hierarchy.  They’ll find pastors who believe in and teach universalism – that all roads lead to Heaven and everyone will be saved.. They’ll find pastors who teach the exact opposite of what the bible tells us about the exclusive claims of Jesus Himself.

They’ll find churches that ignore what the bible tells us about the earth waxing worse and set about to establish God’s kingdom for Him, here, to be presented to Him on His return.  They’ll find churches who dishonor the blood of the martyrs by joining with the Roman apostasy even though they worship “another Christ”.  They’ll find churches where the pastor must say and do exactly what the board tells him to or he’s out.

They’ll find churches whose fruit – the community programs and “outreach” - will be pointed to as proof that they are in Gods will but have forgotten the manifestations of Pharaoh’s sorcerers.  They’ll find churches that put a higher price on bringing someone to church than in bringing someone to the Lord.  Where Jesus is simply an additive to improve your life, like glucosamine.  They’ll be encouraged to ask Jesus into their lives instead of encouraging them to surrendering their lives completely to Him.  They’ll find churches where Christian discipline is no longer being practiced.

They’ll find churches where emotions and experiences are more important than the Word.  Where worship is defined by hysteria, confusion, musical furor or hype instead of introspection and true thanksgiving.  Where prophecy isn’t proclaimed FROM the Bible, but added to it.

Pray for these people.  Pray that they’ll find biblical Christians who are spending their time waiting for the real rapture by serving others as if they were serving Jesus Himself, and living like they actually believe what they say they believe, People who tell others about Jesus and the gospel at every opportunity.  At work, in stores and on the street.  It’s like “If a tree falls in the forest……  If the people at work don’t know you’re a Christian, are you one?  Pray they’ll find people who walk the walk.  Pray they’ll find…your church?

(A Christ centered Church!).

Grace and Peace