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
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.
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