Hope Restored

 

                                                         Sunday School Lesson                               

Lesson: Luke 24:13-21, 28-35                                                                                  
Golden Text: “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight” (Luke 24:30-31).

INTRODUCTION.  Our lesson this week is a touching story of two disciples whose faith seemed to be dashed by the death of Christ but whose hope was restored.  It’s a wonderful story of a reunion with the Living Lord 

 

II. DISCIPLES ON THE EMMAUS ROAD (Luke 24:13-18) 

A. A journey attempted (Luke 24:13-14).  

1. (vs. 13).  On Resurrection Sunday, sometime after the women had visited Jesus’ tomb and received the message of Jesus’ resurrection, Luke then writes “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.”  The phrase “two of them” means that these two companions were disciples of Jesus.  They were not apostles because verse 33 indicates that the Eleven Apostles (Judas had committed suicide according to Matthew 27:1-5) were present when these two friends returned to Jerusalem to share what they had experienced.  At this time, they were returning to a small village called “Emmaus” after being in Jerusalem for the Passover and experiencing the death of Jesus.  Luke tells us that the distance from Jerusalem and Emmaus was “about threescore furlongs” or about seven miles.  This may appear to be a long distance to travel by foot, but in the ancient world when most travel was done by foot, this was a rather short journey.

2.  (vs. 14).  Luke continues to say “And they talked together of all these things which had happened.”  The fact that they were discussing the things that happened in Jerusalem over the last few days indicate that they must’ve been friends.

B.  A surprise appearance (Luke 15-16).

1. (vs. 15).  As these two friends walked along, Luke writes “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.”  While these two disciples walked toward Emmaus sharing together and trying to make sense out of what had happened in Jerusalem, Jesus joined them and continued to walk with them.

2.  (vs. 16).  Even though Jesus joined them Luke says “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”  No doubt God temporarily blinded these disciples to Jesus’ identity until they could grasp more clearly the truth of the resurrection.  Note: That these travelers did not recognize Jesus may be hard for us to understand, but it is part of the supreme sovereignty of God.  God can open both our physical and spiritual eyes and close them at will.  It was not yet time for them to recognize their Master.

C.  The happenings in Jerusalem (Luke 24:17-18).    

1. (vs. 17).  As Jesus joined them “he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?”  The Lord asked these disciples what were they talking about and why were they sad?  It was obvious that they were experiencing intense sadness over the recent events they were discussing.  Of course Jesus knew why they were sad and even what they were discussing.  During His earthly ministry Jesus often asked questions to get people thinking with Him (see Matthew 16:13-16).           

2. (vs. 18).  At this point Luke says “ And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?”  There were disciples other than the Twelve (see Luke 10:1) but here we are introduced to one of them, a man “whose name was Cleopas.”  Responding to Jesus’ question with a question, Cleopas asked if He was the only stranger in Jerusalem that didn’t know what had happened there over the past few days.  When we consider the popularity of Christ and the hatred the religious leaders had for Him, everything that happened would‘ve been the topic of every conversation.  No wonder Cleopas questioned how this stranger could not know about the happenings in Jerusalem?  Note: The news about Jesus’ crucifixion had spread throughout Jerusalem.  Since this was Passover week, Jewish pilgrims visiting the city from all over the Roman Empire knew about his death.  This was not a small, insignificant event that affected only the disciples: the whole nation was interested.  No wonder Cleopas questioned how this stranger could not know about the happenings in Jerusalem.

III. DISCIPLES’ EXPECTATIONS CRUSHED (Luke 24:19-21)

A.  The rejection of Jesus (Luke 24:19-20).

1. (vs. 19).  In this verse Luke writes “And he (Jesus) said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.”  Acting as if He didn’t know anything about the recent events in Jerusalem, Jesus asked them “what things” they meant.  They replied saying the things “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth.”  This description identified Jesus as being from Nazareth (see Matthew 21:11:26:71; Mark 1:9; Luke 2:27, 39).  These disciples also described Jesus as “a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” indicating that Jesus was held in high regard by many Jews.  No doubt they had believed Jesus to be the Messiah but after what had happened to Him in Jerusalem, they thought otherwise.  The idea of a crucified Messiah was a major stumbling block to Jews (see I Corinthians 1:18-25). 

2. (vs. 20).  Here the two disciples went into detail saying “how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.”  They poured out the sordid details surrounding the betrayal, trial and death of Jesus Christ.  Note: Crucifixion was reserved for criminals so it was beyond the belief of many that God would allow His Chosen One to endure such suffering.  But on numerous occasions Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for these events by forewarning them of what was about to happen (see Luke 9:22; 18:31-33).

B. Redemption (Luke 24:21).   The two disciples went on to say to Jesus “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.”  These disciples from Emmaus as well as all of Jesus’ disciples were counting on Him to redeem Israel by delivering the nation from its enemies.  Most Jews believed that the Old Testament prophecies pointed to a military and political Messiah who would lead a rebellion against Rome and restore Israel to her former glory. What the disciples expected to happen at the first coming of Christ will not happen until His second coming. They didn’t realize that the Messiah had come to redeem people from their slavery to sin.  Since three days had passed since Jesus was crucified, they lost all hope.  They didn’t understand that Jesus’ death offered the greatest hope possible.

IV. DISCIPLES AND AN EVENING MEETING (Luke 24:28-29).   In verses 22-24 the two disciples shared with Jesus how some of the women followers had gone to the tomb and found it empty and also said that they had a vision of angels who told the women that Jesus was alive.  They then said other disciples went to the tomb and found it empty, but they didn’t see Jesus.  Then in verses 25-27 Jesus said unto them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”  However, the two disciples still didn’t recognize Jesus.
A. Arriving at Emmaus. (Luke 24:28).  Now Luke says “And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.”  Jesus and the two disciples finally reached Emmaus and Jesus “made as though he would have gone further.”  In other words, Jesus acted as if He was going further.  This no doubt was a means by which Jesus might get invited to stay longer with these two disciples.

B. The lateness of the day (Luke 24:29).  As Jesus gave the appearance that He was going farther than Emmaus, Luke says “But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.”  Since it was late in the day, which is the meaning of the phrase “for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent,” the disciples “constrained him (Jesus), saying, Abide with us.”  They urged this unknown traveler to stay with them.  Accepting the invitation, Jesus “went in to tarry with them.”  This invitation probably included eating with them and maybe staying overnight.

V. THE DISCIPLES’ EYES OPENED (Luke 24:30-35)

A. Bread broken (Luke 24:30-31).

1. (vs. 30).  At this point Luke writes “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.”  At the table Jesus assumed the role of host and took bread and blessed it, broke it and then gave it to the two disciples.

2. (vs. 31).  Now Luke says “And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”  Just as Christ blessed and broke the bread, the eyes of the two disciples were opened and “they knew him” or recognized Him.  Although these two were not in the upper room when Jesus broke bread at the Passover, they may have seen Him do this on other occasions (see Matthew 14:17-19).  At any rate, this one act triggered both their physical and spiritual sight.  But just as soon as they recognized Jesus Luke said “he vanished out of their sight.”  The Lord disappeared.

B. Burning hearts (Luke 24:32-33).

1. (vs. 32).  Now convinced that they had been in the presence of the living Christ, “they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”  These two disciples thought about their experience with the risen Lord.  When Jesus had taught the Scriptures to them (see vss. 25-27), their hearts burned within.  He was no longer a stranger to them anymore.  He was Jesus, who was now alive.  Note: When God opens up the Word to us in a special way, it will burn into our hearts (minds) until we reconcile with His truth.  God’s Word speaks to our spirits until we respond.

2. (vs. 33).  At this point the two disciples felt the urge to share their experience with other disciples so “they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them.”  Wasting no time, the two disciples got up from the table and went back to Jerusalem to report what they had experienced to “the eleven gathered together” a reference to the Eleven Apostles.  The phrase “and them that were with them” indicates that there were other followers of Jesus present with the apostles. Acts 1:15 tells us that at this time there were about 120 believers in Jerusalem.

C. Belief confirmed (Luke 24:34-35).

1. (vs. 34).  When they returned to Jerusalem they found the apostles and those who were with them already rejoicing about the risen Lord “Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”  The reference to “Simon” is Simon Peter.  Paul also mentioned that Jesus appeared to Peter alone (see I Corinthians 15:5), but this appearance is not further described in Scripture (see I Corinthians 15:5).  According to John’s gospel, Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene after He rose from the dead (see John 20: 1-16).

2. (vs. 35).   Our final verse says “And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.”  The two disciples from Emmaus then told the other disciples present about their own experiences with the risen Christ.  First, “what things were done in the way” refers to how Jesus opened up the Scriptures to them as they walked to Emmaus.  Second, they told “how he was known of them in breaking of bread.”  Here they were saying that at first they didn’t recognize Jesus, but after He broke bread with them, they knew it was the risen Lord.  The fact that Jesus was recognized by the “breaking of bread” should remind us of the spiritual significance of the Lord’s Supper, also called the breaking of bread in Scripture (see Acts 2:42; 20:7; I Corinthians 10:16).                       

VI. Conclusion.  The resurrection is the centerpiece of history and of our faith.  When we grasp this transforming truth, we will enthusiastically share it with others because it transforms lives.  Hope is only as good as the basis for it.  For the believer, hope is based on the Word of God. Yes, we can have misunderstandings at times and even forget what the Word says; yet the promise of the resurrection is plain for all to see.  As Christ has been raised, so too will all who are