Easter: On the Road to Emmaus
In this Easter Sunday message, Pastor Shane examines Jesus' interaction with people, and how we should do the same. Click here for the recording of this 4/20/25 Service, and you can fast-forward to 22:57 to get to the start of the sermon.
Our text: Luke 24
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
17And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they came to a stop, looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You possibly the only one living near Jerusalem who does not know about the things that happened here in these days?”
Introduction
Life is often one day droning on to the next, with a periodic interruption of the highly unusual
And then, something, or someone, steps into your life, and everything changes- courtship, graduation, marriage, your first real job, the birth of a child, the loss of a parent; all pivotal moments
This is what we are looking at this morning
What is happening
Two men are on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about 7m away, a 3hr walk
They are processing what has taken place in the past week- Jesus' entry into Jerusalem the wk before, His arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection
Jesus, whom they do not recognize, joins them on the road
"Hey fellas, what are you talking about?"
They stop walking, look sad, and Cleopas (Eusebius- brother of Joseph, husband of Mary) asks if Jesus is the only one in Jerusalem who does not know what has happened (at that point, they do not see Him for what He is)
He says that Jesus the Nazarene was powerful in what He said, and did (How many do you know like this?)
Spiritual and political leaders handed him over to the sentence of death via crucifixion; hanging on a cross via wrists and feet; used for about 1k yrs on slaves, political enemies, non-citizens; a twofold purpose- to protract the death process, and humiliate the victim to deter rebels; stripped, whipped, crosspiece carried, nailed, notice of name/crime placed above the head (AI overview)
They were hoping that Jesus would liberate them from Roman occupation- a political leader (Sound familiar?)
“Some women told us the tomb was empty, and that an angel told them He was alive; others verified the empty tomb”
"You guys are senseless and slow; the prophets told us this had to happen”
Starting with Moses, He explains Himself via the OT
They ask Him to stay with them; they eat together, during which their eyes are opened to recognize Him for who He is, and then He vanishes
"His verbiage made our heart burn within us"
They got up that night, went back to Jerusalem, and found the 11 to confirm that Jesus is alive
"What does this have to do with me?"
Jesus wants to step into your life
He wants to talk with you about what is going on in your life
He cares about what you think and how you feel
He wants to help you do life through His word, the Bible
He wants to change you for the better, but you have to let Him
He wants an ongoing relationship with you
He wants you to tell others about Him and how He has made your life better
Are you ready to make Him Lord, today, here?
