Havasu Christian Church
March 31, 2024
Easter Sunday!
“A road trip with Jesus.”
INTRO: Usually on Easter Sunday, we put our focus on the early morning. We think about the women, going to the tomb, only to find it open, and Jesus gone! We set our minds on the empty tomb and how it got that way. We remember Mary Magdalene’s short visit with Jesus, and her excited amazement. We might even focus on Peter and John running to the tomb and leaving perplexed when they found it empty.
But that’s not what we are doing this time. Today, we are going to put our focus on the evening of Resurrection Sunday. Jesus takes a “road trip” with two disciples who are on their way to Emmaus.
A “road trip” can be miserable, or it can be wonderful.
· Sometimes, it depends on where you are going and how far it is. * Where you are going can also make a big difference.
· Sometimes, it depends on WHO you are travelling with.
Road trips were a bit different in the 1st century. You didn’t load up in the air- conditioned car and have a kid kicking your seat and yelling “Are we there yet?” You were on foot, walking on dusty roads. Almost no one rode horses, almost no one rode in a wagon. You walked.
It’s the afternoon after the Resurrection. Two of Jesus’ disciples have a trip to Emmaus planned. It’s just 7 miles; a short stroll in those days. As they walk, a 3rd party joins them. It’s Jesus, but they are supernaturally kept from recognizing Him.
My grandmother had this painting hanging in her bedroom. I always thought it was soothing and Peaceful. I asked her about it one day and she explained.
Let’s see what we can learn from this encounter with Jesus.
Luke 24:13–35 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him.
21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
22 “But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
24 “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”
(I) Jesus allows the men to tell Him “the story.”
a. Jesus allows them to express their sadness.
i. Their dreams have been crushed.
1. Their friend has been brutally killed.
2. These men devoted their lives to following Jesus, and He has been killed!
a. Whatever they believed, right or wrong about the Kingdom of God has been thoroughly destroyed!
b. Cleopas even gets a little “testy” with Jesus.
“Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?”
b. Jesus allows them to tell Him what they know.
i. They know that Jesus was a powerful Prophet.
ii. They know that the chief priests & leaders of Israel saw to it that He was crucified!
iii. They know that Angels have said that Jesus is alive.
1. But they don’t sound very enthusiastic about the possibility of it being true.
(II) Jesus begins to teach.
25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
a. Jesus reminds them of what the Prophets have said about the Messiah.
i. It was necessary for Him to suffer.
1. He became the sacrifice for sin.
b. Jesus goes on from here explaining all about Himself to these disciples.
i. It’s all straight from the Old Testament.
(III) Jesus reveals Himself to these men.
a. The men invite Jesus to stay with them.
28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther.
29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them.
30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
i. They are showing the typical hospitality that good men would offer in that time.
1. When they get ready to eat, Jesus “Took the bread and blessed it.”
a. This certainly sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Apparently it was familiar to them too!
b. Jesus allows them to understand Who He is.
i. They realize Who He is!
1. Jesus vanishes!
(IV) These men are blown away!
32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”
a. They realize why this experience made so much of an impact.
i. “Our hearts were burning…”
(V) They can’t wait to share what happened!
33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them,
34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.”
35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
a. They don’t even finish supper. They don’t wait for morning.
i. They immediately head back to Jerusalem!
1. They find the other Disciples.
2. They share what happened.
3. They hear what happened while they were gone!
Conclusion: How does all this apply to us?
· Jesus wants to hear all about our sorrows. (and our joys!)
o There is nothing we cannot share with Jesus!
o He’ll even put up with our little fits of temper!
· Often, the best way to learn is to teach!
o Jesus lets these men tell Him all about what has happened, before He explains to them what it all means.
§ Not a bad plan for us either.
· Listen, don’t just talk.
o If it was a good idea for Jesus to do, it MIGHT just be a good idea for us.
· When Jesus teaches, these men listen & Learn.
o Jesus still teaches.
§ Though His Word.
§ Through the Holy Spirit.
§ Through other Christians.
§ Through our experiences.
· When we realize that Jesus has been teaching us, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
o These guys left their meal, their lodging, and did a quick 7 miles.
§ They were MOTIVATED!
