Today, you and I are going to have an encounter with a very charismatic stranger, but spoiler alert, he’s actually not a stranger. He’s somebody we know. It is still Easter today on the Bible for Busy People. Join me in Luke’s gospel chapter 24. Beginning in verse 13.
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Today, you and I are going to have an encounter with a very charismatic stranger, but spoiler alert, he’s actually not a stranger. He’s somebody we know. It is still Easter today on the Bible for Busy People. Join me in Luke’s gospel chapter 24. Beginning in verse 13.
That same day,
Easter Sunday.
two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of a Maus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along, they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them, but God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, what are you discussing so intently as you walk along? They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas replied, you must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days. What things? Jesus asked. The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth, they said. He was a prophet who did powerful miracles and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people but our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive. Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone just as the women had said. Then Jesus said to them, you foolish people. You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory. Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets explaining from all the scriptures the things concerning himself. By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey, Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him.
This part touches my heart so deeply.
Stay the night with us since it is getting late. So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and at that moment he disappeared. They said to each other, didn’t our hearts within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the scriptures to us, and within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the 11 disciples and the others who had gathered with them who said, the Lord has really risen. He appeared to Peter.
Now, we’re going to finish this story in just a moment. It’s a beautiful conclusion that I know you’re just going to love like I do, but first, has there ever been a time in your life when you didn’t recognize that Jesus was there, but you felt something and later you knew? I remember when my son was so ill, we’re going back years now, he was suffering from ulcerative colitis and he was just sobbing and cleaning the bathroom, and I thought, how is it possible that God could be with us right now? I know the Bible says that he does, but in the face of such suffering, I couldn’t truly identify Jesus in those moments. But I reached out to some friends over text and said, would you pray? Would you pray right now? It’s a desperate moment for my family and I. And my friends did, and in that moment my eyes were opened. I felt the presence of the Lord Jesus, and I knew that he had been there all along. As a matter of fact, I knew that I couldn’t have put another foot in front of the other if he hadn’t been there in those moments, but Jesus is always with us. It’s just that sometimes we have to open our eyes and really see. Alright, we’re going to pick up this incredible story today in verse 35.
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.
He says his famous words now, the ones that he says so often after He rose,
Peace be with you, he said, but the whole group was startled and frightened thinking they were seeing a ghost. Why are you frightened? He asked, why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do. As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still, they stood there in disbelief filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, do you have anything here to eat? They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he ate as they watched. Then he said, when I was with you before I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.
So quick pause here on the road to a Emmaus with those two disciples, he laid out the prophecies. Here, the Lord is ready to open their minds to truly understand how he fulfilled those scriptures. Verse 46 now,
And he said, yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem. There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit just as my father promised, but stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.
What an encounter you and I have had with Jesus today. How about another one tomorrow? Until then, remember, you are loved.
Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.
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