The Road to Emmaus
Text: Luke 24:13-35
Core Idea: The risen Christ is not far from you. He is near you – speaking to you and ministering to you even now. So, draw near to Him through His Word and ask Him to open your eyes because when He does, your heart will burn and your life will never be the same.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, we gathered to celebrate Easter to remember and rejoice that Jesus is not in the tomb, but that He is risen. We saw from Luke 24 that the women went to the tomb expecting death – instead, they found it empty. And in that moment, everything began to change. What once felt like the end of the story became the beginning of hope – all because they remembered His words and began to see that Jesus had done exactly what He said He would do. But here’s what I want all of us to see: even though the tomb was empty, even though the news had begun to spread, even though Jesus was alive, not everyone understood what was happening. In fact, many of His followers were still confused, still discouraged, and still trying to make sense of it all. In other words, they had heard the reports – but they still didn’t have the wisdom to understand. And if we’re honest, that can be true for us as well. We can know that Jesus is risen. We can hear the message again and again. And yet still find ourselves discouraged, uncertain, or even distant from the Lord because we’ve failed to understand what the resurrection of Jesus means for us, because we’ve failed to apply the gospel truth to our lives. Then, the question we should be wrestling with is: How do we move from simply hearing that Jesus is alive to truly seeing Him, knowing Him, and walking with Him? Well, we’re about to find out. So, please turn with me to Luke 24:13-35. And I will read this for us.
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 morning 23 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 together 34 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.
Amen. This is the Word of God for you today.
Let me share three things that Christ does in this passage:
· CHRIST DRAWS NEAR
· CHRIST OPENS THE WORD
· CHRIST OPENS THEIR EYES
1) CHRIST DRAWS NEAR
Verse 13 tells us that it’s still Easter Sunday. And the scene shifts to two disciples who were on their way to a village called Emmaus – about seven miles, or roughly 11 kilometers, from Jerusalem. As they walked, they were talking about everything that had happened – most likely the crucifixion of Jesus. And something remarkable happened – in that Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. But they did not recognize Him. Now, this wasn’t because they had never seen Him before or because their eyesight was poor. Luke tells us that it was because their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. In other words, this was intentional. Jesus chose not to reveal Himself to them – at least, not yet. We’ll find out why later on. But for now, what we need to see is that Christ drew near in their confusion, disappointment, and sorrow. Jesus said in verse 17: “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” And look at their response: “They stood still, their faces downcast.” They literally stopped walking. Why? Because they were overwhelmed – they were crushed by grief. But at the same time, they were more shocked that this man didn’t seem to know what had just happened. So, one of them asked: “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” In other words, “Where have you been? How could you have missed this?” And Jesus asked, “What things?” And they began to explain: “About Jesus of Nazareth! He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him.” Now, listen carefully to what they say next because it reveals a lot about their hearts: “They crucified Him; but we had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” This tells us that they were looking for redemption – but they had misunderstood what that meant. The word “redeem” means to be delivered – to be set free by the payment of a price. So, they were right to look to Jesus for redemption because that’s exactly why He came. Jesus Himself said in Mark 10:45, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” But here was the problem: They didn’t see the cross as the means of redemption – they saw it as the end of their hope. “We had hoped.” It’s in the past tense – which means that in their minds, the crucifixion proved that Jesus was not the Redeemer. Why? Because they were expecting a different kind of redemption, in that they were hoping for political deliverance – for freedom from Roman oppression. They were thinking, “Israel is suffering. So, we need a king who will rescue us, restore our nation, and bring back our glory.” All that to say, they had believed that everything would be okay as long as their circumstances improved – and Jesus became just a means to that end. But because of that, they missed what He actually came to do. The Bible clearly tells us and Jesus Himself clearly said that He didn’t come to deliver them from Rome but to deliver them from sin. And the only way to accomplish that redemption was through the cross – by taking our place, bearing our sin, and paying the penalty we deserved. But because their expectations were misplaced, they completely misunderstood Him. No wonder they were downcast, discouraged, and without hope.
Now, the truth is that some of us here may have come to Jesus for the same reason. Like these disciples, you may be sincere. You may be devoted. But you may still misunderstand Him. And as a result, you, too, see Jesus just as a means to an end. So, you bring your struggles, whether it’d be a career problem, unemployment problem, marriage problem, children problem, relationship problem, money problem, health problem, anxiety problem, fear problem, sin problem, or pain problem – hoping that He will just fix your circumstances. Now, this is not to say we should never bring these things to Him – no, we should most definitely cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us, as it says in 1 Peter 5:7. But if that’s all we’re looking for, then we’ve missed the point because the gospel tells us that before we are sufferers in need of help, we are sinners in need of salvation. Listen carefully because this is important. If we believe that our greatest problem is our circumstances, then we may remain downcast even if we come to Jesus because Jesus didn’t come to meet our expectations of how life should be – He came to give us something far greater. He came to secure our redemption from sin by paying its penalty and breaking its power over us so that even if our circumstances don’t change, our future is secure – so that even in suffering, we can say, “Yes, I had hoped that Jesus would make a way in this situation. But I am not crushed, for I know that He was crucified for me, which is far better than what I had ever desired. If He is with me, whom shall I fear?” Brothers and sisters, I pray that this would be your confession today. Friends, what are you hoping for as you come to Jesus? Do you see that your greatest need is not ultimately circumstantial but spiritual? Do you see that your deepest need is redemption from sin? If not, pray that God would open your eyes to see that you’re ultimately a sinner with problems of sin before you’re a sufferer with problems of circumstances – because only then will you give thanks for the cross and only then will your hope remain unshaken, no matter what comes your way. And the good news is that even when we misunderstand Him, even when our hopes are misplaced, even when we are downcast – Christ will continue to draw near to us to speak to us, comfort us, and lead us back to Him. So, don’t walk away from Him in your disappointment. Don’t turn back when your expectations are not met. Don’t harden your heart when life doesn’t go the way you hoped. Instead, keep walking with Him. Bring your confusion, sorrow, and even your wrong expectations to Him because even when it feels like He is far from you, it doesn’t mean that He is actually absent. In fact, He is near – walking with you. And in His time, He’ll make Himself known to you as He did with these disciples.
2) CHRIST OPENS THE WORD
The disciples continued their explanation in verse 21: “We hoped that Jesus would be the one who would redeem Israel, and yet it’s been three days since He was crucified. But actually, something crazy did happen. Just before we left Jerusalem this morning, some of the women came back from the tomb and told us that the tomb was empty. And they saw angels who said Jesus was alive. So, some of the disciples went to check it for themselves, and they, too, didn’t find Jesus’ body there.” Do you see what’s happening? They had the empty tomb, the testimony of the women, and the confirmation from other disciples – but they still didn’t believe it. They had the facts – but not the understanding. They had the information – but not the wisdom to interpret it. So, Jesus responded in verse 25: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Notice that Jesus didn’t say they didn’t get it because they lacked evidence – no, He said it’s because they were slow to believe what the Scriptures had already said. Then, He added, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” In other words, these events weren’t just a tragic accident – no, these things had to happen. They were all part of God’s plan – which means the problem wasn’t that the cross was unexpected. The problem was that they had just misunderstood the Bible. Verse 27: “[So,] beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” I want you to see this because this is really important. Before Jesus opened their eyes, He opened the Scriptures. He walked them through the entire story of the Bible – showing them that every promise, every pattern, every prophecy pointed to Him. Now, just imagine being there. Imagine hearing Jesus go through each OT book – showing them how everything finds its fulfillment in Him. Then, this wasn’t just a Bible study – this was the Bible coming alive. David Garland writes, “Jesus does not overwhelm these two disciples by some spectacular revelation of Himself. Instead, He interprets the Scriptures for them.” That’s the key: The Bible doesn’t present Jesus as just one of many heroes – it reveals that the whole story is about Him.
Now, what does this mean for us? Two implications. First, we meet the risen Christ through the Word. Jesus could’ve revealed Himself immediately. He could’ve said, “It’s Me! I’m right here!” – and ended their confusion right away. But He didn’t. Why? Because He wanted to show them and us that we don’t encounter the risen Christ primarily through extraordinary experiences but through the Scriptures. Some people say, “If only I could’ve been there on that road with them, if only I could’ve seen Him with my own eyes, then my faith would be unshakable.” But this passage tells us otherwise. You didn’t have to be there physically to meet Him – you can actually meet Him today through His Word. Phil Ryken said, “Jesus did this because He knew that He would not be able to walk down every road to give every believer the gospel in living person. But He also knew that by the Holy Spirit, His word had the power to make every road a gospel road wherever Christ is preached.” Brothers and sisters, do you want to meet the risen Christ? Open your Bible not casually, not occasionally, but regularly, intentionally, and expectantly because this is where Christ chooses to reveal Himself.
Second, we must read the Bible in a Christ-centered way. Verse 27 doesn’t just say Jesus explained the Scriptures. It says He explained what was written concerning Himself. That means it’s possible to read the Bible and still miss the point. How? It happens when we read it moralistically – to treat the Bible as a book of rules, examples, and life lessons, where the main question is: “What should I do?” So, for example, when we read about David and Goliath, we would say, “Be brave like David.” When we read about Noah, we would say, “Be obedient like Noah.” When we read about Daniel, we would say, “Stand firm like Daniel.” Now, these takeaways are not entirely wrong – but they’re incomplete because the Bible isn’t mainly about what we must do. It’s ultimately about what God has done and is doing through Jesus Christ. Let me show you the difference. Take David and Goliath, for instance. A moralistic reading would say, “Be brave like David and defeat your giants.” But a Christ-centered reading would say, “We are like the fearful Israelites – unable to save ourselves. But Jesus is the true and better David who defeated the enemy we could never conquer. And just as David’s victory became Israel’s victory, Christ’s victory becomes our victory. So, the question before us is not: ‘How can I be like David?’ But: ‘How should I live in light of Christ’s victory?’” Do you see the difference? Moralistic reading says, “The Bible is about what I must do.” Christ-centered reading says, “The Bible is about what Christ has done and how I respond.” And here’s why this matters. If you read the Bible moralistically, it’ll either lead you to pride, because you think you’re doing well, or to discouragement, because you know you’re not. But if you read the Bible through Christ, it’ll always lead you to hope because your confidence is no longer in your performance but in His. So, brothers and sisters, as you open the Bible, look for Christ, listen to His voice, and trust that as you do, Christ Himself will meet you through His Word.
3) CHRIST OPENS THEIR EYES
Verse 28: “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if He were going farther.” But given their experience, the disciples didn’t want Him to leave. They didn’t recognize Him yet – but they knew there was something different about Him. So, they strongly urged Him to stay with them. It’s as if they were saying, “Don’t go. We want more. We need to hear more.” And Jesus agreed. Verse 30: “When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.” Earlier, we were told that their eyes were kept from recognizing Him – and now, their eyes were opened. Then, here’s what this means: This wasn’t something they achieved or figured out – this was something God did. What they could not do for themselves, Christ did for them. He opened their eyes. And in that moment, they saw Him for who He truly was – the risen Christ. But even before they could embrace Him, He just disappeared from their sight. Can you imagine that moment? “What just happened? Was that really Him? Or were we just dreaming? How did we not recognize Him?” But as they reflected on what just happened, listen to what they said in verse 32: “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They weren’t just excited to see Jesus again. They realized that their hearts were beginning to burn with passion – passion for the Lord. But here’s what I want us to see: their hearts weren’t stirred by spectacle – they weren’t moved by something dramatic. Their hearts were burning because the Word was opened to them, and they saw Christ in the Word. And now everything made sense. Their confusion was gone. Their sorrow was lifted. Their hope was restored. And they couldn’t keep this to themselves. So, verse 33: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.” Think about that. They had just walked 11 kilometers from Jerusalem. But, without hesitation, they went right back. Why? Because when you truly encounter the risen Christ, you cannot remain the same. That’s what happened to the women in the previous passage. They declared the news to the disciples. In the same way, these two disciples didn’t waste any time. They had to tell others. Now, when they got there, they found the others already gathered – excitedly talking about how Jesus had appeared to Peter. So, these two disciples joined in and shared their own story about how Jesus met them on the road, how He opened the Scriptures, and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Now, what does this mean for us? Two implications. First, we cannot open our own eyes. This passage reminds us that spiritual sight is not something we achieve – it’s something we receive. Understanding Christ is revealed, not discovered. So, if you’re a Christian, if you see Jesus for who He truly is, if you have come to trust Him, love Him, follow Him, that’s not because you were smarter, stronger, or more righteous than others. It’s because God, in His grace, has opened your eyes. Once you were blind – but now you see. And that should lead you to humility and gratitude. But at the same time, it should also lead us to prayer because if God is the one who opens eyes, then we must pray for those who do not yet see. So, pray for your friends. Pray for your family. Pray for those who seem uninterested, indifferent, or even resistant because the same God who opened your eyes can open theirs. Second, God works through ordinary means. Think about how Jesus revealed Himself. It wasn’t through a dramatic display or a public miracle. It was through something ordinary: the opening of the Scriptures, the breaking of bread, and the fellowship of believers. This is so important to point out because the truth is that some of us are waiting for something more – we want dramatic experiences, overwhelming emotions, instant transformation. And if we don’t feel those things, we question if we’ve truly met Jesus. But this passage teaches us that God most often works through ordinary means – through His Word, through the Table, and through the community of His people. So, don’t despise the ordinary. Don’t underestimate what God is doing when you open your Bible. Don’t overlook what God is doing when you come to the Table. Don’t neglect what God is doing when you gather with His people like this – because this is where Christ makes Himself known. Friends, do you want your eyes to be opened? Do you want your heart to burn again? Do you want to see your life transformed by the power of the risen Christ? Then, don’t wait for something dramatic. Open your Bibles and see the risen Christ. Come to the Table and commune with the risen Christ. And just as these disciples did, meet with other believers to talk about the risen Christ – because Christ will meet you there.
CONCLUSION
Lighthouse family, the risen Christ is not far from you. He is near you – speaking to you and ministering to you even now. So, draw near to Him through His Word and ask Him to open your eyes because when He does, your heart will burn and your life will never be the same.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1) What does the statement, “We had hoped…”, shared by two disciples reveal about their expectations of Jesus? Why do you think their wrong expectations led to discouragement and hopelessness? Have there been moments when you felt disappointed with God? What expectations were behind that? What would it look like to trust Jesus even when your circumstances don’t change?
2) What does it mean that Jesus explained “all the Scriptures concerning Himself”? When you read the Bible, what is usually your first question: “What should I do?” or “What has Christ done?” How can you begin to read the Bible in a more Christ-centered way this week?
3) What does it mean that their “hearts were burning”? What caused that? Can you remember a time when your “heart burned” for God? What contributed to that? Do you tend to look for dramatic spiritual experiences, or do you value the ordinary means God uses? Which of the ordinary means are you neglecting right now?
