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The Road Back to Hope

Luke 24:13-12

If you were arrested for crimes you did not commit; brought before a jury in a trial that would gather enough media attention to be called the trial of the century. A trial where your character was denigrated and your reputation smeared.

If you were then found guilty and put to death in the most cruel manner, then buried without a normal funeral – if you came back to life, I imagine that you – and most of us – would call a press conference. You’d make sure your name was vindicated.

You’d probably sue somebody too.

But as we’ve studied the events of Resurrection Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead – there’s not press conference.

There’s no retaliation.

Nobody gets sued.

Instead, Jesus continues to demonstrate humility and grace.

Instead of making His way to the supreme court of Israel composed of the greatest religious scholars and leaders of His day, He makes an appearance to a formerly demon possessed woman who’d come to faith in Him.

Instead of appearing before the High Priest, forcing him to testify of their injustice, He appears to a group of women who’d come to the tomb early to anoint His body for burial.

In fact, before Jesus appeared to His original – now eleven – disciples – men who will become the leaders of the early church, Jesus appears to two ordinary disciples who were part of the larger group of followers.

They were so ordinary that we don’t know one of their names, and the other man is never seen or heard from again.

Turn to Luke chapter 24 where two disciples are on the road back to their little home village called Emmaus.

Let me divide this amazing encounter into 4 scenes.

Scene 1: Throwing in the Towel

Luke 24 and verse 13:

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. Luke 24:13-14

That very day – they’re going home to Emmaus.

What day is that day – Sunday. Resurrection Day.

From their conversation with the Lord, in a few verses, it becomes clear that they’re going home to the life they knew before following Jesus.

Frankly, they’ve quit. They had left their home in Emmaus to follow Jesus their Messiah.But now, they are going back home. Jesus did not pan out. He wasn’t the One they had hoped for.

They’ve packed their bags; they’ve thrown away their study notes; they’ve tossed their “Jesus is the Messiah” gospel tracts; they’d been wrong . . . they were going back home.

Dejected, disillusioned . . . even despairing.

Scene one is a scene of sadness and disillusionment, along with plenty of confusion.

Three years plus, down the tubes . . . their dreams are dashed . . . they have nothing to show for their plans but pain and heartache.

The cross had punctured their hope!

Luke writes here that they were talking with each other as they walked along.

The verb for talking is a word that refers to bantering back and forth with ideas. (SOURCE:^{Bruce B. Barton, Life Application Bible Commentary: Luke (Tyndale, 1997), p. 559)}

They’re having an animated conversation about all that had happened that weekend – yes, there were rumors of Jesus’s resurrection, but the facts – just the facts – we saw it with our own eyes, He died on that cross!

So here they are, trudging their way back to life the way it used to be.

Now verse 15:

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24:15-16

I love this.

Here they are, sharing their disillusionment about Jesus . . . and Jesus walks up to them.

Don’t miss it here – Jesus is appearing to these disciples – not because they’ve been faithful, but because they are no longer hopeful.

We have the notion today Jesus is going to encourage the faithful – the persevering – the courageous – they’re the one’s that’ll get His attention.

Look here.

He’s joining up with two disciples who’ve thrown in the towel.

The text implies that Jesus overtook them from behind.He just sort of slid up behind them and walked along.

Luke writes here in verse 16 that “their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.

This is a divine passive voice – in other words, this is something God did.

They didn’t recognize the Lord because the Lord didn’t want them to recognize Him.

The Lord is going to do for them what He does for us. He’s going to ground their faith, not in what they see, but in what God has said.

So before they ever recognize Him for who He is, He’s going to remind them of what His word says.

So, get this picture here – Jesus comes up behind them and they no doubt greet one another, perhaps Jesus asks, “Hey, you mind if I join you?”And they say, “Sure, why not . . . just don’t interrupt our conversation. We’re talking about some very important things.”

The language indicates that this is a rather heated discussion. These men are obviously upset.

And Jesus sort of casually interjects – in verse 17: “What is this conversation about?”

You could amplify his question to read, “What are you talking about that’s gotten you so upset . . . what’s gotten you two so worked up?”

And with that – Luke writes – 

They stood still, looking sad. Luke 24:17

Literally, “They came to a standstill.” They stopped in their tracks! Their faces were downcast and filled with grief.

Finally, after a moment of silence, the disciple named Cleopas said to Jesus – and probably with an element of sarcasm – verse 18:

“Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Luke 24:18

Are you the only one visiting . . . “su monos” – literally means, “Do you live alone?Do you stay by yourself?Don’t you know what’s going on?”

Of course, the irony here is that they were the ones who didn’t’ know what was going on – and Jesus did!

But Cleopas – who’s gonna be royally embarrassed later for reading this – and the entire church age as well – he’s effectively asking Jesus – “Do you live alone – as if to say – don’t you ever get out?”

Jesus could have said, “Yeah . . . I got out this morning . . . just a few hours ago . . . and I left the door open so you could go and check it out!”

Poor Cleopas . . . he’s addressing none other than the resurrected Lord, saying – verse 18 again, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened?”

Don’t you know about all the things that have been happening?

Have you been hiding in a cave?

Oh, the things Jesus could’ve said to Cleopas. This is just too good to pass up.

But I am struck with His refusal to respond to sarcasm with sarcasm. Would you notice his kindness – he simply responds in verse 19 –

“What things . . . are you talking about?”

Jesus is graciously drawing out of them their observations of what they’ve seen: their interpretations of the events that have dramatically unfolded.

Jesus says, “Why don’t you just fill me in.”

And do they ever!For these next 6 verses, they just unload the details on this poor man who evidently lives all alone and doesn’t get out much.

Verse 19:

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, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.

But we had hoped (catch that – this was our hope, but now our hopes are dashed – we had hoped) that he was the one to redeem Israel. (redeem means to buy out of slavery – they were anticipating a sovereign, not a sacrifice – Cleopas continues – verse 21)

Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.

They were at the tomb early in the morning, 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.

Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” Luke 24:19-24

Listen, it’s all about what they can see.

Let me tell you, beloved, in this post-resurrection appearance, Jesus begins to build the faith of His disciples upon what His word says!

That’s why Jesus says to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

That’s you, beloved. A greater reward – and blessing when your faith and your walk with God is not brought low by what you see around you. What you experience in life – the tragedies and the difficulties and the joys and the triumphs do not move the needle of your faith. It’s steady, because it’s based on scripture.

Even here with these disciples on the road to Emmaus, what they see – or don’t see – has become misleading.

There are several issues in the speech just delivered to Jesus that were misguided or incomplete –

• They say in verse 19, that Jesus was only a prophet, mighty in word and deed – that’s wrong, He was more than that;
• They say in verse 20 that Jesus was a victim for the Sanhedrin – it appeared that way, but He had said several times that suffering death was part of His plan.
• They say here in verse 22 that some women saw visions of angels – those weren’t visions – they were real angels!
• They say in verse 23 that the body of Jesus was missing – it wasn’t.
• Finally, in verse 24 they say that nobody’s seen Him alive – Jesus could’ve said, “You’re looking at Him!”

“Ta da!” This is the perfect time for the Lord to tell ‘em who He is!

But not yet.

Why?

Because He wanted their faith – and yours and mine to this day – to be anchored, not to sight, but to scripture.

Now you might think that Jesus will now say to them something like, “Listen, I’m so sorry you’re feeling discouraged enough to quit and go home – I can understand how devastated you are and how crushed you must feel.” (SOURCE:^{Adapted from Dale Ralph Davis, Luke: The Year of the Lord’s Favor (Christian Focus, 2021), p. 227)}

But instead, Jesus comes back with something they will never forget – verse 25:

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Luke 24:25

Hadn’t the prophets spoken of the suffering servant bearing our iniquities?

Cleopas had said earlier that Jesus was a prophet of God – well, hadn’t He prophesied over and over again that He would suffer and then rise on the third day?

And get this – these men actually quitting on the third day – this was the day of all days to be in Jerusalem!

So Jesus rebukes them for not believing the word of God.

Now this doesn’t discount suffering and anguish and trials and devastation. Jesus isn’t telling them to be happy – He’s telling them to think biblically.

What has God said?

And with that, scene two opens – we’ll call it:

Scene 2: Old Testament Survey 101

This is a crash course that will take three hours over a 7-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

We read here in verse 27:

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27

You could render this, “Jesus interpreted to them Himself, from all the Old Testament scriptures.”

In other words, from all the books of scripture, Jesus explained to them how they applied to Himself.”

Now they still don’t know it’s Jesus tutoring them!

They have no idea resurrected Word is explaining the written word.

The fulfillment of scripture is explaining the prophecies of scripture.

The Messiah is quoting verses that reveal He is the Messiah.

None of what Jesus said has been recorded for us – this classic, 3-hour sermon has not been written down.

This is the greatest sermon never recorded.

But the truth is, we don’t need to hear His sermon, because we have his sermon manuscript.

Imagine what they would have heard from every book of the Old Testament, that pointed to Him?

We’re not told, but here’s what He could have alluded to – as I’ve gone back through the Books of the Old Testament:

• In Genesis He is the prophesied seed of the woman who will crush the serpent’s head.
• In Exodus He is the Passover lamb who sets His people free; He is bread from heaven and water from the rock.
• In Leviticus He is: The brazen alter – atoning sacrifice for sins. He is the brazen laver – cleanse us daily. He is the bread – nourishing our souls. He is the golden lamp stand – the light of the world that will shine forever. He is the altar of incense – interceding on our behalf. He is the veil – for through His body we have access into the presence of God. He is the ark of the covenant – where God touches earth. And He is the holy of Holies – for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead.
• In the Book of Numbers, He is the Great High Priest who will never fail.
• In Deuteronomy, He is the city of refuge where the guilty can run for protection.
• In Joshua, He is the champion over every enemy.
• In Judges, He is the patient toward His wandering people.
• In Ruth, He is the Redeemer who wins a bride and brings her from poverty into the line of royalty.
• In First and Second Samuel, He is the Name of the Lord, in whose strength giants fall.
• In Kings and Chronicles, Christ is the King above all kingdoms of earth.
• In Ezra, Christ is the keeper of Divine promises to liberate His people.
• In Nehemiah, He is the re-builder of broken lives and broken hearts.
• In Esther, He is moving behind the scenes of human history, invisible but invincible; silent yet sovereign.
• In Job, He is the Lord of mystery who does not explain life, but reveals He is in control of life.
• In the Psalms, He is the rock of refuge, the Shepherd of His sheep, the crucified Savior and the coming King.
• In Proverbs, He is everlasting Wisdom for those who will listen.
• In Ecclesiastes, He is eternal satisfaction over every earthly desire, the One to be remembered in the days of our youth.
• In the Song of Solomon, He is the Bridegroom who stops at nothing until His bride is safely in His arms.
• In Isaiah, He is Emmanuel, the suffering Savior, and the Prince of Peace.
• In Jeremiah He is the author of a new covenant on the hearts of His people.
• In Lamentations, He is the father who disciplines the sons He loves.
• In Ezekiel, He is the power that breathes life into dry bones, bringing death to life.
• In Daniel, Christ is the corner stone who will fill the earth with His glory.
• In Hosea, He is the faithful Husband of a faithless wife.
• In Joel, He is the inspiration of His people, pouring His Spirit upon the redeemed.
• In Amos, He the righteous judge who will establish a kingdom of justice.
• In Obadiah, He is the Savior who will ascend Mount Zion and establish His kingdom.
• In Jonah, He is the fulfillment of the prophet’s experience, for after 3 days and 3 nights, He rises in resurrection power.
• In Micah, He is the promised One from Bethlehem who will cast our sins into the depths of the sea.
• In Nahum, He is the safe haven for all who run to Him.
• In Habakkuk, Christ is the one who invites us to live by faith, and to walk on high places.
• In Zephaniah, He is the King who rejoices over us with singing that we will one day hear.
• In Haggai, Christ is the Victorious Lord who wears his chosen people as jewels around his omnipotent fingers.
• In Zechariah, the pierced Savior descends to the Mount of Olives to set up His kingdom – the bells on horses bridles will declare that the Lord is holy.
• And in Malachi, Jesus is the Divine Refiner, purifying his chosen people as gold; and those who believe in Him will one day rise and live with Him forever.

The truth is, we want an immediate solution to our sadness or trouble or despair – Jesus wanted them to have more than that – He wanted them to know Him. (SOURCE:^{Adapted from Davis, p. 229)}

We want a quick solution – Jesus wants us find Him in the scriptures.

Jesus could’ve had said hours earlier, “Hey – it’s me!” But instead, He wanted to show them who He was, through what God’s word had already said.

Now scene three – we’ll call it:

Scene 3: Dinner and a Disappearing Guest

verse 28:

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther (that is, as if He didn’t want to impose), 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. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. Luke 24:28-31

The phrase here for their eyes opening and they recognized Him was more than mere recognition of His features – “Hey, that was Jesus!”

It means that they connected the dots – the biblical passages – shown to them specifically over their journey home – that He was the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, the Son of God, the Coming King. (SOURCE: ^{Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on Luke (Zondervan, 2012), p. 523)}

And with that, the Lord vanished.

There’s little doubt that the Lord took the role of the Host at dinner for a purpose. About the same time the Lord lifted the veil from their eyes, they would have seen His nail pierced hands.

And again, Jesus effectively showed them His hands last, because He wanted to show them the scriptures first.

Listen to what they say here in verse 32:

Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32

Your hope is not anchored in what you see around you, it is anchored in what God has said to you.

Ladies and gentlemen, the question is not, “What do you see in order to believe?” but “What does the Bible say in order to believe?”

The Apostle Paul wrote,

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope! Romans 15:4

These disciples had lost hope!They were heading back to Emmaus – and you know where that was going?It was taking them away from hope.

They were going in the wrong direction!

What road are you on today? Let me tell you, Jesus knows where you are – geographically, spiritually, emotionally . . . He knows the path you’re on!

Are you without hope?Go back to the scriptures . . . they have a way of pointing you to the Author and He is everything you really need.

I love the fact that before these two disciples recognized the Savior, their hearts were burning with the scripture.

Do you need a fresh view of Jesus today?

Go back to the scriptures . . . open your mind and your heart to the word of God.

Now with that we come to scene four – we’ll call it:

Scene 4: On the Road Again

Somebody oughtta write a song about that. The good news is – these two disciples are now headed in the right direction!

The Bible says here in verse 33 that these two disciples:

And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem . . .”

They can’t wait to tell the disciples the news.

Don’t miss the progression – it should be our model today – Jesus impacted and encouraged them in this order:

He opened their minds

He opened their eyes then He opened their mouths!

The news of the resurrection was never intended to keep to ourselves.

So here they go – on the road again – but this time, they’re heading in the right direction.

They’re on the road back to hope – to purpose – to obedience – to trust – they will never be the same again.

Their faith is no longer bound by what they experience – it is bound by what Jesus explained – no longer sight – but sola scriptura – the scriptures alone.