2024 Easter Sunday: Journey to the Cross (Luke 24:13-35)
Luke 24:5 The angels said “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen.”
Praise the Lord! Jesus is ALIVE!!!
- Let’s be real for just a second:
- Sometimes life gets difficult doesn’t it?
- Sometimes don’t you feel alone?
- Sometimes don’t you struggle in your faith?
- Have you ever doubted?
- Have you ever wondered where is Jesus in all this? In all that you have going on?
- Have you ever strayed from the Lord?
- Have you ever found yourself asking Why? Or Why me?
- You are not alone!
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And 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, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 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. 24 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.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 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. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
- Are you on the road to Emmaus?
- Do you find yourself not recognizing Jesus even when He’s right in front of you?
- Take Notice:
- v.27 As scriptures were revealed to the two disciples, their hearts burned within them.
- The scriptures gave them hope.
- The scriptures helped them to be reminded of Jesus and the promises made.
- Jesus was with them on their journey:
- In the midst of their sadness.
- Encouraging them all along the way.
- Pointing them to the hope, promises, and truths of scripture.
- This all lead to their eyes being opened to see that Jesus was there the entire time.
- We are all on a Journey:
- Jesus is walking with us…right now.
- Jesus is pointing us to truths of the Gospel right now.
- Jesus is encouraging us to the hope, promises, and truths that He died for.
- We are all on a journey…
- Theirs was to Emmaus, but it wasn’t the place that was important.
- It was how they felt and where their hearts were.
- Where is your journey?
- The place isn’t significant…
- You can be on a journey to Taylorsville and meet Jesus.
- You can be on a journey to Mt. Eden and meet Jesus.
- You can be on a journey to Elk Creek, Mt. Washington, or Shelbyville, and meet Jesus.
- The place is insignificant…
- Where are you in your journey right now? Are you facing:
- Sadness
- Greif
- Loneliness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Addiction
- Health Issues
- Brokenness
- Worthlessness
- Sinfulness
- The Unknown
- Many of the disciples likely felt some of these same things after Jesus died.
- Rest assured…Jesus didn’t stay dead…Jesus is ALIVE!
- He walks with you through everything you face.
- We can see and feel Jesus doing one simple thing…
- Being in the Word of the Lord. Reading our Bible.
- v.25 Jesus said “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
- v.27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
- Through the Word of God, the Bible, we are able to have our eyes opened.
- Our hearts are opened to receive Jesus.
- We are encouraged and grow closer to Jesus through His Word.
- I’m here to tell you…Jesus didn’t walk away from you. YOU walked away from Jesus.
- He is still with you, right now…even if you don’t feel Him.
- Jesus loves you, and will never abandon you.
- What proof do you need?
- The proof is the cross!
- Where Jesus, who was guiltless and sinless, took our punishment.
- Jesus took our place on that cross. Where we should have been.
- We deserve death, and all the punishment that should come with it.
- We no longer have to suffer the sin, and shame, of who we used to be.
- Jesus is with us always, to the end of the age.
- Where are you in your journey?
- There is a place where your journey can end.
- At the foot of the cross.
- Today we are going to have our time of invitation, but a little differently.
- I’m going to ask you to join me at the foot of the cross because I need Jesus too.
- If you feel the Holy Spirit leading you, join me and lift your heart to the Lord.
- Feel His presence and leave your burdens there.
- Jesus is here…He is not dead…Jesus is Alive!!!
- Come…
