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This past week there was an earthquake. It registered 8.8 magnitude, and is in the top 7 of strongest quakes in recorded history. This one struck off Russia’s east coast, and eventually sent tsunami waves into Japan, Hawaii, and U.S. West Coast; along with Philippines and other countries touching the Pacific. Relevant locations were advised to move from shore, seek high ground, or evacuate as possible.

Over 2K years ago there was a large earthquake too. Its physical magnitude was not recorded, but its spiritual tsunami continues to overflow hearts and surge into communities, and sometimes with confrontational impact.

Continue series: Be with Jesus
Eat (Lk 22) / Walk (Lk 24) / Be on Mission (Ac 1)

EXAMINE      Luke 24:13-35       Walk With Jesus

3 places Jesus walks…

Jesus walks to those with evaporated hope.

¹³ That very day

The life-transforming, hope-stirring day that changes history: Jesus’ resurrection day. So, after Jesus exits a tomb after being dead for 3-days, He takes a walk to interact with people.

two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,

FYI: 7-miles from SPBC reaches MissionBBQ either Gambrills or Pasadena.

¹⁴ and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

All that happened refers to the circumstances surrounding Jesus. Remember, large crowds were drawn to Jesus’ engaging teachings and insightful lessons. People marveled at His conviction and authority. And individuals with crowds were drawn to Jesus’
far-reaching and sincere compassion.

So, when Jesus was arrested with false charges, unfair trials, and undeserved execution, the public was shocked. These events were the topic of conversation all over the city.
v.18 ἀντιβάλλετε = “to throw back and forth,” “to exchange views” on a matter.^[1]

¹⁵ While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ¹⁶ But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

The resurrected Jesus appeared before these fellow travelers, but they did not recognize him. The language suggests action beyond human eyesight to lacking spiritual understanding (1Cor 2:14).^[2]

¹⁷ And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.

The fellow travelers were disappointed and feeling hopeless. They were focused on what they deemed should have occurred instead of what happened and how God was at work.

¹⁸ Then one of them, named Cleopas,

We are uncertain which Cleopas this was, but it’s possible he was Jesus’ uncle (Jn 19:25).

answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Rich irony!

¹⁹ And he said to them, “What things?”

Does he ask this with a sly grin?
Jesus shows low key rizz.   

And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ²⁰ and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ²¹ But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

They trusted their religious leaders to make right decisions, but instead they created systemic harm. And too often (once would be too many), that continues happening today.

*If you have experienced or seen religious harm, we extend our sincere sympathy. We know it’s not easy for you to even be within earshot of what I’m saying… but we are grateful you’re here. And while we know we are an imperfect church, know we strive our best to be a safe place for believer and non-believer. AND, to express with firm conviction that this church has zero tolerance policy for child abusers of any form. Is there grace for sinners? Yes. Yet, there are also earthly consequences and physical boundaries that must be presented for those with sin of this nature.
– – – our lines are open for discussion – – –

They not only trusted in their religious leaders, but their hope was that Jesus would be the penultimate prophet to rally the nation and ransack Rome with fire and brimstone from above. But even Jesus confused them, instilling a different type of kingdom that offered reconciling grace to any type of sinner.

• What makes you exhausted of strength or evaporated hope? What creates doubts that go off like fireworks in your mind? Maybe you’ve even been confused by what Jesus is doing in your life, and you’re like these fellow travelers who had earthly expectations and heavenly hopes for how God would work or bring about desired circumstances for your life. But you’ve been frustrated, disillusioned, and the fumes of hope are evaporating quickly.
  IF SO, you need to know that Jesus walks beside those storm-tossed and flood-soaked lives. Jesus is near the brokenhearted and hopeless, and invites us to cast our burdens upon Him, bc He cares (Ps 55:22; 1 Pet 5:7).

• You need to walk with Jesus and vent your questions. God is big enough to hear your angry accusations or curious questions. He may provide answers, but what He will provide most is perspective. When we truly seek God, we will say, like Job “Behold, I am of small account… I lay my hand on my mouth” (Job 40:4).[3] Seriously, take an extended time or retreat to seek God’s help in your hopelessness.

• When walking blind, find a guide to help navigate the journey and season –
  “Two are better than one… woe to those who are alone and falls and has not another to lift you up” (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Trusted friends, experienced mentors, and credible counselors are invaluable when we feel let down or put off by people, or even faith. See our website for recs[4]

Jesus walks to those with doubting minds.

²² Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,

Why were women at the tomb?
1) According to Jn 19:38-40 Nicodemus & Joseph buried Jesus’ body. But the women went to fix what the men did –ha!

2) God knew they would get the word out… – as faithful disciples. – – – And this is interesting since female testimony was discredited; yet proves veracity.  

3) God blessed these women with fresh vision and restorative hope. He uplifted their identity and esteemed their value.[5]

²³ and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ²⁴ Some of those who were with us [Peter & John] went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” ²⁵ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus rebuked these travelers, calling them foolish (unmindful, naïve). He also rebuked their heart rejection of the Scriptures; then Jesus taught them how His birth, life, death, and resurrection is the scarlet thread in all the Scriptures. IOW, Jesus was saying, the truth was in front of you the entire time, but your issue was not head knowledge but heart stubbornness.

And Luke’s narrative is very insightful. One of the early activities that Jesus does following His resurrection describes a level of priority for His followers: Jesus gathers people who have eager questions and teaches a Bible study. And it appears like it was somewhat lengthy, bc it began with Moses bc [Gen, Ex, Lev, Num, Dt] and onward to history with Josh, Jud, Ru, 1 & 2 Sam/Kings/Chron with Ps, Pr, SoS and all the Prophets [Ez, Neh, Isa, Jer, Ez, Dan, Hos, Joel, Amos, Oba, Jonah, Mic, Nah, Hab, Zeph, Hag, Zech, Mal]. That’s 39 books, not to mention explaining and relating the information to what we have in the 4 Gospels!

This is what Jesus followers are to prioritize: being in a group and growing in God’s word that it informs our head, transforms our heart, and inspires our hands and feet to Spirit-filled action.  

• Again, maybe you’re like these Emmaus travelers with doubting minds and slow of heart to believe. Notice Jesus does not shoo away the doubters, He invites them in. Likewise, It is time to take your questions on a quest for the answers. That means you will need to sacrifice (reinvest) your time to a) gathering with educated & experienced believers, b) reading books (Bible!) – – which some of you read so much fiction / history / self-help / etc, but your spiritual life is underfed and malnourished based on your reading diet.  

•  Personally, some of the most significant turning points in my life have come out of seasons of doubt.

• Jesus says:
  Pr 8:17 “I love those who diligently seek me”
         (cf. 1Chr 28:9; 2Chr 15:2; Jer 29:13)
  Isa 55:6 “Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near”

Mt 7:7-9 “Keep asking, you’ll get answers; Keep searching, you will find; Keep knocking, the doors will open”

*Also, realize your faith doubts may not be entirely intellectual but simply a result of undesirable circumstances or negative experiences or your unwillingness to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. Many people try to evaluate Scripture based on the events of their life – so they create [unintentionally] a god made upon their expectations RATHER THAN allowing Scripture to interpret their circumstances and believing in the true Jesus who is worthy of denying self, taking up our cross, and following wholeheartedly.

Jesus walks to those with burning hearts.

²⁸ So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, ²⁹ but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.

Did you catch that? This happens multiple times in Gospels:

*Mk 2 Jesus was teaching a crowded house and 4 friends punch hole in roof to drop paralyzed man for Jesus to heal.
*Mt 8 Jesus walking and a leper boldly approaches requesting healing.
  *Likewise, a centurion for dying daughter.
*Mt 9:20 Jesus traveling and a woman touches fringe of his garment seeking healing.
*Mk 6:49 Jesus was going to pass by disciples in boat rowing against storm waves, but they cried out for Jesus to come.
*Lk 24:28 Jesus was going further but the Emmaus travelers urged him strongly to stay.

Are you attempting activity apart from Jesus? Where have you not invited Jesus into your life? Cry out. Reach up. Bow down.

³⁰ When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

³² They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Previously, Jesus’ identity was disguised from them until Jesus broke bread and prayed.

• Communion is vital
• Community is vital to eat, walk, pray, serve, and share together. It’s the means by which we see Jesus, and so does a blind and dark world.

³³ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, ³⁴ saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ³⁵ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus is not here… BUT He is.

Jesus is not physically with His people, but He has not left us as orphans.

We have His word. The 66 books are God’s faithful revelation to us. We can trust the Bible. And we must remain committed to studying and saturating our lives in Scripture.

We also have His Spirit. The Spirit intercedes for us (Ro 8). He comforts when we’re downcast. He guides when we’re confused or lost. He closes doors that we don’t understand but can appreciate in hindsight; and He opens doors – always at the right time, when we reach that moment of desperation to sincerely cry out to Him.
Ps 145; 34:5 “The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to God and He gives food in due season… He is near all who call on Him in truth… Those who look to Jesus are radiant and their faces shall never be ashamed”

We have each other. We have God’s ekklesia – called out ones. The people that Jesus is building. The people for whom Jesus gave His precious blood and loves eternally. The only institution that Jesus promises will push back the darkness and prevail the gates of hell.

SO, If your heart burns for Scripture / for the Spirit of Jesus / for Brothers & Sisters of God… then, let us vow with all we are and have to do all we can to grow godly generations.

And today, if you are the doubting or distraught – would you take your next step to walk with Jesus?

• Talk with pastor
• Read Bible
• Reg for a group
• Baptized – – – – – – – Membership
  
  

This is my heart cry
Though none go with me
The cross before me, the world behind me
This is my anthem
My life for God’s fame
My every move bring glory to God’s name
I will follow Jesus
No turning back. No turning back.

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^[1] The Gospel according to Luke Pillar New Testament Commentary, 717.

^[2] The Gospel according to Luke Pillar New Testament Commentary, 716.

[3] Cf Isa 40:28; 55:8-9; Ps 147:5.

[4] https://www.spbcmd.com/counseling

[5] https://www.1517.org/articles/what-the-women-at-the-tomb-reveal-about-gods-redemption