Next Sunday April 23rd we will have a Shared Lunch following our Worship Service. Everyone is welcome!
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them;16 but they were kept from recognizing Him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast.18 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?”
19 “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.20 The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him;21 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.22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning23 but didn’t find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive.24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?”27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if He were going farther.29 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.
30 When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight.32 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the bread.
Luke 24:13-35 STAY WITH US
Springford Baptist Church: April 16, 2023.
What we see happening here as these two followers of Jesus were walking along, is what we find ourselves doing when something happens that we really do not understand.
We talk about what is on our minds and about experiences that have affected us deeply.
How good it is to have those with whom we can share our thoughts and feelings. Often this will be close family and friends. It is helpful when the ones to whom we talk have had the same sort of experience. For instance, if you have had a particular procedure or surgery and you talk with someone else about it, it can be reassuring to know how that person came through it and what was found to work well in recovery. We talk with others who have said goodbye to loved ones and know that their hearts have also known grief and have found strength from God in facing their loss.
When these two individuals in today’s Scripture from Luke 24 were walking along, we read that, “They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.” (Luke 24:14)
When we talk about significant events and experiences, we are acknowledging that they really happened. We are also seeking to gain insight about what they meant and what we will do now as a result.
This is certainly what was happening in this conversation that was taking place on the road to Emmaus. These two people were talking about Jesus dying on the cross. This was now the evening of the third day after this happened. For them it was not just a news item. It held huge personal meaning for them
because they had believed that Jesus was the Messiah and they had followed Him. They had hoped in Him.
As they explain to Jesus whom they do not at this point recognize, . “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him;21 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.22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning23 but didn’t find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive.24 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 24:19-24)
It is obvious that these two travellers want to understand. They want to know where God is in all of this.
For us as well, when we face really hard realities that shake our world, we want to know where God is in all of this. We are trying to grasp, “How could God let this happen and what is He going to do now”?
Jesus has the understanding and the explanation. As we read, “27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)
This explanation draws them to the conclusion that God is right at the center of this seemingly catastrophic event. They can now see what has happened in a different light. It is light that Jesus Himself has provided.
The understanding that Jesus has brought to their compelling questions, leads them to urge Him strongly as evening approaches, “Stay with us.” (Luke 24:29)
Now at this point, they have not yet recognized that they are walking and talking with the risen Lord Jesus. Still, they do know that this man understands Scripture and the things of God in a profound way. They are eager for Him to stay with them.
We, on this side of the resurrection of Jesus can know what it is to have Him walk with us and talk with us. We can know what it is to have Jesus guide and reassure us, whatever we are facing.
With this possible relationship with Jesus, we too will be moved to strongly urge Jesus to, “STAY WITH US”.
Easter chocolate will be eaten and Easter decorations and cards taken down. The cross at the front of our church reminding us that Christ has died and Christ has risen will be put away for another year.
Yet, we can be confident that Jesus will indeed “STAY WITH US.”
Isn’t this exactly what we need to know? In our extreme dependence on Jesus, we need to hold on to Jesus’ promise that He will, “STAY WITH US”!
Jesus has been with us from the time of our conception and birth.
He will, “STAY WITH US”!
Jesus has been with us in our times of joy and celebration.
He will, “STAY WITH US”!
Jesus has been with us in our darkest of times.He will, “STAY WITH US”!
Jesus has been with us when we have struggled to understand life’s complexities.
He will, “STAY WITH US”!
Jesus will continue to be with us in our fears and uncertainties and we can be confident.
He will, “STAY WITH US”!
When Jesus stayed with these followers, their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. (Luke 24:31)
When Jesus stays with us, we too will recognize Him and the immense depth of His everlasting love for us!