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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
August 18, 2019
On the Road to Emmaus
Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32
Introduction
Last Sunday we examined all four gospels and their accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. The differences between them demonstrate that they are independent witnesses noting the particular experiences of the individuals and emphasizing the particular purpose and point of the writer. Multiple witnesses to an event is additional verification that the event did in fact happen.
After Jesus was crucified on Friday afternoon, he was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea with the help of Nicodemus. They began the initial preparation of Jesus’ body for burial by wrapping it in linens with spices between the layers. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother Joses were also present. Joseph rolled the blocking stone in front of the grave and they all left before the start of the Sabbath. (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). Jesus’ burial demonstrated the sovereign hand of God at work to precisely fulfill in detail multiple prophecies concerning the Messiah even after Jesus’ physical body was dead. (See: The Burial of Jesus)
On the Sabbath, the chief priests petitioned Pilate to put a guard at the tomb to prevent anyone from perpetrating a hoax by stealing Jesus’ body and then falsely claiming He had risen from the dead. Pilate complied and a Roman guard was stationed at the tomb and a Roman seal was placed upon it (Matthew 27:62-66).
After the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, our Sunday, multiple women were getting ready to go to Jesus’ tomb with additional spices. Before any of them arrived, there was a severe earthquake and an angel rolled the stone away from the tomb. The presence of the angel frightened the guards so much that they “became as dead men.” (Matthew 28:1-4). Mary Magdalene arrived while it was still dark and concluded some group had stolen Jesus’ body. At least one of the other women had arrived before she ran away to tell the disciples (John 20:1-2). The other women arrive just after the sun had risen. They looked inside the tomb and found it was empty, then two angels appeared which terrified them and they bowed to the ground. One of the angels sat down and explained to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” They were then reminded what Jesus had told them while they were in Galilee, and then to go tell the disciples. (Matthew 28:5-8; Mark 16:2-38; Luke 24:2–12)
When they returned to the disciples, Mary Magdalene was already there and they all told the disciples what they had experienced. They did not believe the women, but Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves. They also found the tomb empty with the linen grave wrappings lying there and the face cloth rolled up by itself. This caused John to believe, but Peter wondered at it. Both left for their own places. Mary Magdalene had followed them, and while standing by the tomb and then looking inside, she saw two angels whom she implored to tell her where Jesus’ body had been taken. Jesus Himself then appeared to her and upon recognizing Him, she grabbed onto Him. Jesus had to tell her to stop clinging to Him for He had not yet ascended to the Father, but she was to go tell the disciples. (John 20:11-18). When she did, they did not believe her (Mark 16:10-11). Shortly after, Jesus also appeared to the other women who took hold of His feet and worshiped Him, and He told them to tell the disciples to meet Him in Galilee (Matthew 28:9-10). (See: The Resurrection of Jesus)
Matthew 28:11-15 records that while all this was going on, the guards had revived and gone to the chief priests to report what had happened. Their testimony and the actions of the chief priests in telling them to lie about it are actually an additional proof that Jesus had indeed risen from the grave. I will cover this in detail in a couple of weeks in a sermon on proofs of the resurrection. This morning I want to continue the narrative from Luke 24:13–32 about what happened next as two of the disciples were walking to a country village a few miles from Jerusalem.
On the Road to Emmaus – Luke 24:13–32
13 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 want to stop there for a moment to quickly point out a few things that mark the difficulty these men were having in believing that Jesus had actually risen from the dead.
First, note verse 16 that “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” They did not and could not recognize that they were actually talking with Jesus. Mary’s emotional state prevented her from recognizing Jesus until He spoke her name. These men have divine intervention preventing them from recognizing Jesus.
Second, these are two men that had been present when the women reported about their seeing the angels and their announcement that Jesus was alive. Luke 24:9 specifically states these women “reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” One of those present was the man identified in vs. 18 as Cleopas. The other man is Simon Peter whom Luke does not specifically identify until verse 34.
Third, recall that after the women had reported that the tomb was empty and seeing the angels, Peter is one of those that had gone to the tomb to see for himself and he left “marveling at what had happened (Luke 24:12). John 20:9 specifically states in regard to this, “For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.”
Fourth, though they had head the reports from multiple women and Peter had seen for himself that Jesus’ tomb was empty except for the linen grave clothes lying there, neither of these men would believe what the women said about Jesus being alive. This is much more than just arrogant men not believing emotional women – and I think it is very safe to say the women would have been very emotional in reporting about seeing angels and their report that Jesus was alive. Any of us would have been excited too. But it was not just Thomas that was doubting. These other men would not believe until they had also seen Jesus alive. There were two essential things blocking them from believing.
First, though Peter had seen Jesus restore people back to life several times including Lazarus who had been dead for several days, those were always miracles Jesus did upon other people while He was still alive. It was still far out of their personal experience that someone who died could raise themselves from the dead.
Second, and probably more important, is that even though Jesus said multiple times that He would be killed but would raise Himself from the dead, they did not know how that fit with the Hebrew prophecies. They were still expecting the fulfillment of the restoration of Israel to prominence with Jesus as her king. They were still despondent over those hopes being dashed with Jesus’ crucifixion. They did not understand the prophecies about the Messiah coming to redeem and save people from their sins before coming as the conquering king that would restore Israel.
Jesus would remove the second blockage before removing the first one. In verses 25-27 He rebukes them for their lack of knowledge about what the prophets said and explains it to them.
Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Scriptures – Luke 24:25-27
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.
Luke does not give us a full discourse about what Jesus said to these two men and instead simply summarizes it. Obviously we all wish we had the full and detailed teaching of what Jesus said to these men. That would not only be a marvelous teaching, but it would also make our lives much easier since we would not have to figure it out for ourselves. I think the Holy Spirit prevented Luke from doing that for precisely that reason. God wants us to go back to the Hebrew scriptures and examine them and the life of Jesus to see for ourselves that He is the Messiah who fulfilled the prophecies. In other words, don’t just take his word for it, go check it out for yourself. With that in mind, I want to briefly point out some of what Jesus would have pointed out to Cleopas and Peter. Jesus began with Moses and then to all the prophets. We will do the same.
The Seed of a Woman. The first prophecy of a future redeemer is included in the curse upon mankind and the earth, and specifically in the curse upon the serpent in Genesis 3:15. “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.” The “your seed” is a reference to Satan’s followers which have the devil for a father (John 8:44; 1 John 3:10). “Her seed” is a reference to a future savior that would come from a woman and would crush Satan’s head. No man is mentioned in the verse. That is fulfilled in Jesus Christ as noted in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law.” Jesus is the only person born without a human father as explained by the angel Gabriel to Mary when she asked how she could have a son since she was a virgin. Gabriel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
Satan would cause the Messiah to suffer (a bruised heel wounds), but Jesus would utterly defeat Satan (a crushed head kills the rest of the body too). Satan had won a victory in enticing Adam & Eve to sin, but he will not win the war with God. He will be crushed.
A Future Prophet Like Moses. Moses gave this prophecy in Deuteronomy 18:15 about a future prophet. “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” The apostle Peter specifically cites the fulfillment of this in his sermon following the healing of the lame man in Acts 3:12-26. In verse 20-22 he cites that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) appointed for them according to what God spoke through Moses saying, “the Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to him you shall give heed to everything He says to you.”
Correct Genealogy. The prophecies concerning the Messiah are very specific about His blood line. He would have to have a very specific family genealogy. (See: The Arrival of the Promised Messiah).
First, he had to be a descendant of Abraham. God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:3 includes, “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This narrowed it down to a very specific family among the Shemites – the Semitic peoples. The genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 record that Jesus is a descendant of Abraham.
Second, God later promised Abraham in Genesis 17:19 that this promise would come through Isaac and not Ishmael. “But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.” Again, the genealogies of Matthew and Luke record that Jesus is a descendant of Isaac. Contrary to the claim of the Arabic people, who are descendants of Ishmael, Mohammed is not of the correct blood lineage and therefore cannot be a prophet who could bring this blessing to the world.
Third, the Messiah had to be from the lineage of Jacob and not his brother, Esau. Genesis 28:14 and 35:9-12 record that the promises to Abraham are given to Jacob. In addition, Numbers 24:17 records that the future ruler would arise from Jacob. Messiah would have to be Jewish. Again, Jesus is of this lineage.
Fourth, Messiah also had to be from the tribe of Judah. Israel’s blessings on his children in Genesis 49:10 includes the statement that “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes, And to him [shall be] the obedience of the peoples.” Jesus is a descendant of Judah.
Fifth, Messiah would have to be both a descendant of King David and an heir to his throne. God promised David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 that there would be a descendant after David whose throne would be established forever. Isaiah 9:7 later prophesied concerning the coming Messiah, “There will be no end to the increase of [His] government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.” Jesus is of the lineage of David. The Angel Gabriel told Mary in Luke 1:32-33 concerning the child she was going to bear, “32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.”
Sixth, the curse in Jeremiah 36:30 states, “Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah, “He shall have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat of the day and the frost of the night.” How could Messiah be a descendant of David with the right to rule and yet avoid the curse on Jehoiakim through whom the right to rule passed? The answer is in Jesus’ genealogy that fulfills the blood line requirement through Mary and the right to the throne as the adopted son of Joseph. (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38).
Born in Bethlehem. The prophecy of Micah 5:2 states that Messiah would have to be born in a particular location. “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, [Too] little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.” Matthew 2 and Luke 2 both record that by God’s sovereign providence, Jesus was born in Bethlehem in fulfillment of this prophecy.
Born at the Right Time. Though we do not know the exact date of Jesus’ birth, it did have to be within a certain time frame to fit within the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-25. Without going into all the details of the calculations of the seven and sixty two weeks described in that passage, this works out into a narrow time frame between about 20 B.C. and A.D. 3. Jesus was born in that time period according to Luke 2:1-2. Again, as Galatians 4:4 states, Jesus was born “when the fullness of time came.”
Born of a Virgin. The Messiah not only had to have the correct genealogy and be born in the right place and time, but as the “seed of a woman,” He also had be born of a virgin as specifically prophesied in Isaiah 7:14. “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” Matthew 1:23 specifically cites Jesus fulfilling this prophecy.
The Son of God. As noted earlier in Luke 1:35, Gabriel said that Jesus would be called the Son of God. This fulfills the requirements of Psalm 2:6-7, “6 But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” 7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee.’” Also, Isaiah 7:14 states that the name of the one born of a virgin would be “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.” God declared Jesus to be His son (Matthew 3:17; 17:5). Jesus referred to Himself as the “Son of God” (John 11:4) and allowed others to use that title for Him (John 1:34, 39; 11:27). Even His enemies recognized this (John 19:7).
Anointed and Eternal. Hebrews 1:8-12 cites Jesus as fulfilling the prophecies of both Psalm 45:6-7 and 102:25-27. 8 But of the Son He says, “8 Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of his kingdom. 9 “You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your companions.” 10 and, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands; 11 They will perish, but You remain; and they all will become old like a garment, 12 and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a garment they will also be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.”
Comes Out of Egypt. The prophecy of Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son,” was fulfilled in Matthew 2:14-15 when Joseph fled to Egypt with Mary and Jesus and then later returned to Nazareth.
His Way Prepared by a Forerunner – Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6. Several prophecies predicted that the Messiah would be proceeded by a forerunner that would prepare the way for Him. Luke 3:3-6 and 7:24-25 cites John the Baptist as fulfilling this role. And Jesus said in Matthew 11:13-14 that John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. (See: The Ministry of John the Baptist & Marks of Greatness)
Ministry in Galilee. According to Isaiah 9:1-2, the Messiah would bring light to those who lived in the darkness of the lands of Zebulun, Naphtali and Galilee of the Gentiles. Matthew 4:13-16 cites that Jesus fulfilled that specific prophecy. (See: A Light Shining in the Darkness).
Spoke in Parables. Jesus had explained to His disciples in Matthew 13:34-35 why He spoke in parables, and that included it fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 78:2-4, 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old . . .” (See: Introduction to Parables & (See: Parables of the Kingdom: Its Growth & Composition)
Worker of Miracles, Preacher of the Gospel. In Matthew 11:2-5, when John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was the Expected One – the Messiah, or someone else, Jesus cited the miracles He was doing as fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. The blind received sight (Isaiah 35:5), the lame walked (Isaiah 35:6), lepers were cleansed (Psalm 34:18), the deaf heard (Isaiah 29:18), the dead were raised up and the gospel was preached to the poor (Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus made a direct claim about Himself in fulfilling such prophecies in Luke 4:18 when He was preaching in Nazareth, and the disciples would have seen these miracles fulfilled over and over again as they traveled with Jesus. Multiple prophecies that Messiah would work miracles and be compassionate toward people were fulfilled in Jesus. These miracles also demonstrated that Jesus is God by His authority over nature, diseases, sickness, demons, forgiveness of sins and raising the dead. (See: Dealing with Doubt & Miracles and Rejection).
Triumphal Entry. Zechariah 9:9 predicted the triumphal entry of Messiah into Jerusalem. 9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” All four gospels record Jesus’ triumphal entry with Matthew 21:4-5 and John 12:13-14 pointing out it fulfilled this prophecy. (See: Messiah’s Public Acclamation) .
Rejected by His People. The rejection of Jesus as the Messiah seems to have surprised the disciples to some degree. They knew the religious leaders hated him, and at times the crowds could quickly melt away, but for the most part they saw multitudes seeking to hear Jesus’ teaching and have Him work miracles for them. They should not have been surprised at all for several prophecies predicted the rejection of the Messiah. Isaiah 53:1, “Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” is cited in John 12:37-41 as being fulfilled because the multiple prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the Psalms about having blinded eyes, closed ears and dull hearts that would not understand and return to be healed were also being fulfilled.
Betrayed by a Friend for Thirty Pieces of Silver. Psalm 41:9 speaks of being betrayed by a close friend, which is exactly what Judas did to Jesus. Zechariah 11:12 reveals the price of betrayal would be thirty pieces of sliver, which is exactly what Judas was paid according to Matthew 26:15. (See: A Plan, A Plot, and Preparation).
Prophecies Concerning Messiah’s Trial. In the sermons on Jesus’ trials I pointed out multiple prophecies concerning the Messiah fulfilled in Jesus. These included being accused by false witnesses (Psalm 35:11 cf. Matthew 26:59-60); being silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7 cf. Matthew 26:63; 27:12-14); spat upon and struck (Isaiah 50:6 cf. Matthew 26:67); and hated without reason (Psalm 35:19 cf. John 25:24-25). (See: No Justice Here! & Jesus on Trial – The Roman Phases)
Prophecies on Messiah’s Crucifixion & Burial. In the sermons on Jesus’ crucifixion and burial I also pointed out the specific prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. These included being crucified with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12 cf. Luke 22:37; 23:25,32-33); being pierced through the hands and feet (Zechariah 12:10 cf. John 20:27); mocked (Psalm 22:7-8 cf. Luke 23:35-36); reproached (Psalm 69:9 cf Matthew 27:39f, Romans 15:3); gambling for His clothes (Psalm 22:17-18 cf. Matthew 27:35-36); praying for His enemies (Psalm 109:4 cf. Luke 23:34); having no bones broken (Psalm 34:20 cf. John 19:32-33,36) but His side pierced (Zechariah 12:10 cf. John 19:34); being forsaken by God (Psalm 22:1 cf. Matthew 27:46); and would die as a vicarious sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5, 12 cf. Romans 5:6-8). His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in death (Isaiah 53:9 cf. Matthew 27:57-60). (See: The Crucifixion of Jesus & The Burial of Jesus)
He would rise from the dead. Both Psalm 16:10 and 49:15 speak of Messiah’s resurrection. “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay,” and “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.” Jesus had told them multiple times that He would rise from the dead, so it should not have been a surprise to them that Jesus would do what He said, but they did not understand that.
Psalm 22 prophetically describes the crucifixion of the Messiah. If they had even a simple understanding of that, they would have better understood that what Jesus went through was according to God’s plan. If they had even a cursory understanding of Isaiah 53, they would have understood the necessity of why Jesus suffered and was crucified. But they did not understand these things until Jesus was explaining it all to them as they walked together on the road to Emmaus. They had indeed been foolish and slow of heart, but now they had it explained that Messiah would suffer these things.
While I do not know all of what Jesus had explained to these two men, it probably included many of these prophecies I have referenced, and I am sure it would have included an explanation of Isaiah 53. Messiah would be despised and forsaken of men bearing the griefs and sorrows of men. He would be pierced and crushed as he bore the iniquity of mankind. He would be as a lamb led to the slaughter and cut off from the land of the living as the substitute sin sacrifice for God’s people. God would be pleased and satisfied with Him as the guilt offering so that the Righteous one would justify the many as He bore their iniquities. God would allot Him a portion with the great. (See: The Suffering Servant – Isaiah 53).
After having all of this explained to them, things would now change.
Arriving at Emmaus – Luke 24:28–32
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. 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?”
They made it to Emmaus and convinced the stranger to stay with them since it was nearing evening. They reclined for a meal and the stranger gave the blessing and began to pass out the bread when whatever had been blocking them from recognizing Jesus was removed, but as soon as they recognized Him, He disappeared. No doubt this was quite startling to them in both the sudden recognition of Jesus after talking with Him for a couple of hours while walking to Emmaus, and then Him suddenly becoming invisible before their eyes. This was their first encounter with Jesus in His post-resurrection body, and it was quite different. It is physical, yet it is not bound by the laws of physics as we understand them.
The phrase “our hearts burning within us” is an expression of great emotion, but it is not from fear or fright. David spoke of his “heart being hot” as he contemplated his sinful and transient nature before a holy and eternal God (Psalm 39:3). Jeremiah said his heart became like a burning fire when he tried to refrain from preaching God’s word (Jeremiah 20:9). These two men had an overpowering feeling as they received and considered the instruction Jesus gave them. These were truths that completely changed their lives. They were transferred from the sadness and despair of Jesus’ death into glorious hope because Jesus fulfilled all the Hebrew prophecies about the Messiah and He was indeed alive! Perhaps you have had similar experiences of emotion as you have learned and contemplated the truths of God’s word. You can’t keep it in.
Return to Jerusalem – Luke 24:33-35
Cleopas and Peter could not keep it in. Verses 33-35 record their immediate response. 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.”
Since it was already toward evening, it would be dark before they arrived back in Jerusalem, but the risk and difficulty of traveling at night was well worth it to them. They needed to tell the others what they had just experienced – both in seeing Jesus and what He taught them. The Lord appeared to Cleopas as well as Simon (Peter), but the emphasis is upon Peter because he is one of the remaining eleven chosen disciples.
Mark 16:12–13 also briefly records this event and also gives the response of those Peter and Cleopas told. 12 “After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking along on their way to the country. 13 They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.”
Conclusions
I am sure it was frustrating to Cleopas and Peter, as it had been for the women that morning, to be so excited about seeing the resurrected Jesus, and then to have those you tell not believe you. These are all credible witnesses, but it reveals again the difficulty they had in believing Jesus could rise from the dead. What it took to believe varied from person to person. John believed because he saw Jesus’ grave linens lying in the empty tomb. The women believed because the angel told them Jesus was not there, but had risen from the dead just as He said. Mary believed because she saw the risen Lord. Cleopas and Peter believed because they had the Scriptures explained to them and then their eyes were opened to recognize it was Jesus in front of them.
Next week we will see what it took for the rest of the disciples to believe and those that have believed since then. The Lord is patient as He lovingly exposes the truth to a person that they might believe in Him, but eventually it does come down to either believing or rejecting the truth. What about you? Where are you at in your own journey in understanding and living according to truth?
If you do not yet believe, are you being diligent in your search for truth? Do not fall into the trap of self confidence that you know enough already. That is nothing more than sinful pride. Cleopas and Simon did not believe until Jesus explained the Scriptures to them. He fulfilled in minute detail prophecies made hundreds to thousands of years before. If you do not believe what I have briefly laid out this morning, then I challenge you to do your own study, and then be humble, for God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud, and it is only by God’s grace you can be saved from your sin and its eternal consequences.
If you do believe, then live according to the truth and tell others. Belief that Jesus is the Messiah is no mere intellectual assent, and those that treat it that way are in grave danger of being among the self-deceived whom Jesus rejects in the judgment. Belief in Jesus radically changes your life because it transforms you by giving you a completely different purpose to your existence.
Talk with any of our church leaders if you have questions or even just want someone to pray with you.
Sermon Notes – August 18, 2019
On the Road to Emmaus – Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-32
Introduction
Jesus’ crucifixion Friday afternoon & being placed in the tomb of a rich man fulfilled multiple __________
On the Sabbath, the chief priests persuaded Pilot to place a Roman _________ at the tomb of Jesus
At the dawning of the day after the Sabbath there was a severe earthquake & an ______rolled the stone away
The guards fainted, Mary Magdalene and the other women arrived at _____________times
Mary left to find the disciples, but the other women saw angels who _____________Jesus’ resurrection
The disciples ___________ believe the report of the women, but Peter and John ran to the tomb to see
They saw the empty tomb and the linen grave clothes – John believed, but Peter ___________- both then left
Mary returned to the tomb weeping, then saw two angels, and then Jesus Himself _________from the dead
Jesus appeared to the other ____________, but the disciples still did not believe their reports
The __________reported to the chief priests who then paid them to lie and say the body was stolen
On the Road to Emmaus – Luke 24:13–32
The eyes of these two men – Cleopas and Simon – were prevented from _____________Jesus
Peter had been to Jesus’ empty tomb but left wondering because he did not yet ____________the Scriptures
The men had heard the report of the women but were ____________like Thomas would be
Peter had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, but someone raising __________was beyond his experience
They did not yet understand that Messiah would be a ___________before He would He would restore Israel
Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Scriptures – Luke 24:25-27
Luke only gives us a ____________statement that Jesus taught them all the Scriptures concerning Himself
God wants us to examine the ______________ for ourselves to see that Jesus is the Messiah
The Seed of a Woman – Genesis 3:15 cf. Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:35
Satan would cause Messiah to suffer, but Jesus would utterly _________ Satan
A Future Prophet Like Moses – Deuteronomy 18:15 cf. Acts 3:12-26
Correct Genealogy – Messiah would have to come through a very specific _________ line
A descendant of ___________ – Genesis 12:3 cf. Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:34
The promise was through __________ and not Ishmael – Genesis 17:19 cf. Matthew 1:2 ; Luke 3:34
Messiah had to be from the lineage of _____, not Esau. Gen. 28:14; 35:9-12 cf. Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:34
Messiah also had to be from the tribe of _________- Genesis 49:10 cf. Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:33
He would have to be a descendant & heir of King _____- 2 Samuel 7:12-13; Isaiah 9:7 cf, Luke 1:32-33
He __________be a descendant of Jehoiakim – Jer. 36:30. Blood line through Mary, heir through Joseph
Born in ___________- Micah 5:2 cf. Matthew 2; Luke 2
Born at the Right _________- Daniel 9:24-25 cf. Luke 2:1-2; Galatians 4:4
Born of a ____________- Isaiah 7:14 cf. Matthew 1:23
The _____ of God – Psalm 2:6-7; Isaiah 7:14 cf. Matt. 3:17; 17:5; Luke 1:35; John 1:34, 39; 11:4, 27; 19:7
Anointed and _____________ – Psalm 45:6-7; 102:25-27 cf. Hebrews 1:8-12
Comes Out of __________ – Hosea 11:1 cf. Matthew 2:14-15
His Way Prepared by a Forerunner– Isa. 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6 cf. Mt. 11:13-14; Luke 3:3-6; 7:24-25
Ministry in _____________ – Isaiah 9:1-2 cf. Matthew 4:13-16
Spoke in ____________ – Psalm 78:2-4 cf. Matthew 13:34-35
Worker of ________, Preacher of the Gospel – multiple prophecies in Psalms & Prophets cf. Matt. 11:2-5
Triumphal Entry – Zechariah 9:9 cf. Matthew 21:4-5; John 12:13-14
____________by His People – Isaiah 53:1 cf. John 12:37-41
Betrayed by a Friend for __________ Pieces of Silver – Psalm 41:9; Zechariah 11:12 cf. Matthew 26:15
Prophecies Concerning Messiah’s __________False witnesses (Psalm 35:11 cf. Matthew 26:59-60). Silent before accusers (Isaiah 53:7 cf. Matthew 26:63; 27:12-14). Spat upon & struck (Isaiah 50:6 cf. Matthew 26:67). Hated without reason (Psalm 35:19 cf. John 25:24-25).
Prophecies on Messiah’s Crucifixion & Burial: Psalm 22; Isaiah 53. Crucified with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12 cf. Luke 22:37; 23:25,32-33); Pierced through the hands and feet (Zechariah 12:10 cf. John 20:27); Mocked (Psalm 22:7-8 cf. Luke 23:35-36); Reproached (Psalm 69:9 cf Matthew 27:39f, Romans 15:3); Gambling for His clothes (Psalm 22:17-18 cf. Matthew 27:35-36); Praying for His enemies (Psalm 109:4 cf. Luke 23:34); No bones broken (Psalm 34:20 cf. John 19:32-33,36), but His side pierced (Zechariah 12:10 cf. John 19:34); Forsaken by God (Psalm 22:1 cf. Matthew 27:46); Die as a vicarious sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5, 12 cf. Romans 5:6-8). Grave assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in death (Isaiah 53:9 cf. Matthew 27:57-60).
He would _________ from the dead – Psalm 16:10; 49:15 – Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20
Psalm 22 prophetically describes the crucifixion of the Messiah
Isaiah 53 – The Suffering Servant who would redeem man by His own sacrifice
Arriving at Emmaus – Luke 24:28–32
Their eyes are opened to recognize Jesus, then He _____________ / vanished / became invisible
“Hearts burning” – an expression of great __________ (See Psalm 39:3; Jeremiah 20:9)
Their sadness & despair turned to glorious _____- Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies and He was indeed alive!
Return to Jerusalem – Luke 24:33-35
It would be dark before they got back to Jerusalem, but the ________ and difficulty was worth it
Mark 16:12–13 – the other disciples ___________ believe them
Conclusions
What it took to believe _________ from person to person
The Lord is ___________ as He lovingly exposes the truth to a person that they might believe in Him
If you do not yet believe, be diligent and humble in your search for __________
If you do believe, live according to the reality of that truth and __________ others
KIDS KORNER – Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many prophecies are mentioned as being fulfilled Jesus. 2) Talk with your parents about the prophecies Jesus fulfilled.
THINK ABOUT IT! – Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. What two disciples were walking to Emmaus? Where is Emmaus? Why would they be prevented from recognizing Jesus? Why were they sad? Why did Jesus take such time to explain to them all the Scriptures pertaining to Him? Examine the prophecies and their fulfillment by Jesus for yourself. What is the truth? Do you believe it? Why or why not? What does Jesus vanishing after the recognized Him reveal about the post-resurrection body? What did they mean their “hearts were burning within” them? Was it safe to travel at night? Explain. Why did they return to Jerusalem? Why didn’t the other disciples believe them?
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