13.Apr.2009 “What is Going On?” – Easter Sunday Message
Luke 24: 13-32:
13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16 But God kept them from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18 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.”
19 “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. 20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Have you ever wondered what you would do if you were Jesus and you had just been resurrected from the dead? I have. I would go immediately to Pilate and slap him. “How dare you kill the Son of God!” And then I would slap the Religious Leaders. “See, I told you I was God, but you weren’t listening!” I would have searched for justification and rubbed in the truth of all that had happened. Jesus did not do this. He never sought justification, nor did He seek to rub it in. No, on the day of His resurrection, Jesus did as He always did: He did something no one thought He would. Throughout His life on earth, Jesus did the opposite of what people expected. He was in no way the Messiah the people of Israel were looking for. He did not free them from Rome. He died a criminal’s death. And when He rose from the dead, He went for a walk with two of His disciples.
In a time of confusion, fear, and despair, these two disciples are leaving Jerusalem. Is this not common for all people? In times of struggle, where we are afraid and discouraged and confused– “Where is God?”–, do we not run from His House? These two disciples were leaving the Temple of God behind them. Yet, it was in the midst of this that Jesus drew near to them. He could not help Himself. He wanted to get into the worlds. He asks them, “What has happened?” He wants to know what is going on in their lives.
The two disciples do not recognize Him. When we are lost in our own despair, we do not notice when Jesus draws near. However, it is later noted that they felt a flutter in their stomachs as Jesus spoke to them. Jesus begins to break down the scriptures for them, explaining what the prophets said about the Messiah. He is desperate for them to understand to the point that He gets a little impatient with them, and yet, His patience does not fade. He continues to explain. Again, in life, when we are plagued by troubles and questions we can’t seem to find an answer to, Jesus comes to us and brings revelation. He has all the answers if we allow Him to speak. He draws near.
As the sun sets, Jesus tests His disciples. He continues on, but they ask Him to stay. When Jesus draws near in times of trouble, we feel Him and shy away with excuses like “I’m not good enough” or “I’m not worthy.” But He wants us to draw near to Him as well. He wants to be in the midst of our lives, in the center of every dirty little detail. He can’t help but want to be that near and want us to draw just as near to Him. These two disciples did just that. They beg Him to stay and eat with them. They press near to Him because they feel something. They want more. So, Jesus comes in and breaks bread with them. The breaking of bread–the symbol of His body being broken; the old covenant is no more and the new covenant has been established–is the moment their eyes are opened. They realize who He is. And then, He is gone. They immediately run back to Jerusalem to tell everyone what just happened.
There are a lot of times when it feels like Jesus has disappeared. We remember those times when He was so near; that His presence was so tangible; but then, suddenly, He is gone. But, Jesus never leaves our sides. This story shows that. Immediately after the establishment of the New covenant, Jesus goes to work getting into the lives of His creation. He is “Immanuel” — God With Us. He wants to be with us at all times, and He is with us at all times. So, when you feel despair and confusion, don’t run from God. Run to Him. Press in. Draw near. Embrace the fluttering and the burning that indicate His presence, and let Jesus unpack all the hurt and pain and the questions of the past; let Him bring healing and answers and revelation into your world. Let Him near. He reveals Himself to you. So draw near. Seek Him and you will find Him. Knock, and He will open the door. Draw near to Him.
