Luke 24:13-35
Introduction
The background of the text went back to a time
when the Israelites were under the rule and oppression of the Romans. So when
Jesus appeared at that very period of history, his followers believed, or
rather wanted to believe (?) that he would be the Messiah, who would redeem
them from the rule and oppression of the Romans. But, the one in whom they had
put all their hope for the redemption of Israel was no more. He’s dead. Therefore,
it is no surprise that his two disciples, one of them named Cleopas, became
downcast and hopeless because of the death of Jesus. However, their sorrow was
to turn into joy. On the third day of Jesus’ death, the women reported that
they saw him; he’s alive. Like other disciples, these two disciples, too, were
amazed by this news. Could it be true? They did not know. They had no prove. As
they were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, talking about the events, the risen
Lord himself came and walked along with them. But they did not recognize him.
The three of them talking all the way, they arrived in Emmaus. As it was already
evening, the two men invited their fellow traveller to be their guest. At the
dinning table, Jesus opened the eyes of the disciples. Immediately they
recognized that it was Jesus their Lord. They were overjoyed and could not wait
to tell other disciples their experience. They could not wait till the next
day. They got up and returned to Jerusalem the same night.
We see here how the experience of the risen Lord
can change people’s lives. The downcast, hopeless and doubtful disciples became
joyful, hopeful and eager to proclaim the gospel of the life, death and
resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are several important messages in
this story of resurrection in and around Emmaus. We shall discuss some of them.
1.
Jesus is present when and where he is spoken and
thought of (vv 14-15)
The two disciples were talking about Jesus, his
life, death and the news of his resurrection, as they walked from Jerusalem to
Emmaus. They were not 100% sure of his resurrection. This can be seen from the
fact that their faces were downcast. We can also see from their doubtful words
in vv 20-24. However, even though they had some doubts, one thing is very clear
here – they were seriously talking and thinking about Jesus. In Matthew
28:16-20, the Great Commission text, we see how the disciples who doubted, too,
were included in Jesus’ commission to go and make disciples of all nations.
This is good news. Even if we have some doubts, fears and questions, if we are
serious about Jesus, he will be present with us. He will also clear out doubts
and fears, and increase our faith. In Matthew 18:20, we read that when two or
three are gathered together in Jesus’ name, he is with them there.
In 2 Timothy 2:23, Paul strongly warns us not to
have foolish and stupid arguments because this can lead to a quarrel. And if we
quarrel, our Lord will not feel at home to be with us. Therefore, if we want
our Lord to be with us, to be present in our midst, then we should rather talk
and think about him and his ministries in our families, schools, colleges,
universities, work places, gatherings, and in our personal life?
2.
The whole Old Testament is the testimony about and
to Jesus (vv 25-27)
The phrase in verse 27, “Moses and all the
prophets,” is a way of designating the whole of the Old Testament scriptures.
This tells us that the Old Testament is the scripture for Jesus and so is the
scripture for us, as well. In other words, we should not neglect the Old
Testament. Both Old and New Testaments are equally important, authoritative and
living scriptures for us.
As a student of Old Testament myself, I really
envy these two disciples. Although the 10th of the Ten Commandments
says, we shall not covet or envy, I hope the Lord will forgive me for this one
envy. For what do I envy these two disciples? Here’s my envy. I studied the Old
Testament as a full-time student for nearly ten years; yet I still have so much
to learn and to know. But here on the road to Emmaus, the two disciples were
taught the Old Testament by Professor Jesus himself. Within a few hours, course
completed and students understood. What an opportunity!
What do we learn from this for our Christian life
today? We learn that the Holy Spirit is our best teacher for us to understand
the Scriptures. If we seriously and prayerfully read, study and meditate the
Scriptures, the Holy Spirit will help us understand it and apply its teachings
to our daily Christian life. Of course, this does not proscribe reading
commentary, dictionaries and other study materials.
3.
If he or she were Jesus, what would I do (WWID)
(vv 28-29)
The two disciples invited a stranger to be their
guest for the night. The stranger later turned out to be Jesus, their Lord (v
31). Had they not invited that stranger, Jesus would have passed over them, and
they would have missed seeing and experiencing the risen Lord. They would have
missed the opportunity and joy of proclaiming his resurrection. In Genesis
18:1-33, we read about Abraham receiving three strangers to his home who later
turned out to be angels. The picture is vividly captured by the writer of
Hebrew when he says, “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing some
people have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2)
What does this mean to us today? Are we intentionally
to invite strangers to our homes all the time? Not quite. The incidence of the two disciples
receiving a stranger took place in a rural setting in the first century
Palestine or Middle East in today’s term, where hospitality to strangers was more
of a must rather than a may or a choice, as there were usually no hotels. Even
then, some could still chose not to provide hospitality to strangers. In rural
areas of North East India today as well, many families continue to provide
hospitality to strangers. But it is becoming more and more risky in the face of
ever-increasing crimes. The situation is compounded by poverty. Many families
simply could not afford to provide hospitalities frequently. When it comes to
cities and urban dwellers, the need for space and privacy become the biggest
enemy for the ministry of hospitality, let alone receiving strangers to our
homes. Urban house setting, life-style and program do not help the situation
either. Therefore, receiving strangers to our homes is not in our thinking and
culture. If then, how do we read this text of receiving strangers to our homes?
Sometimes, it maybe necessary to receive strangers
to our homes, if that is what we must do in a given circumstance. But, for the
most part, what the teaching means for us today is this – to be sensitive to
the needs around us. We are to be compassionate to the poor, the needy, the weak,
the oppressed and the sick.
We know about the movement of WWJD (What Would
Jesus Do?). But I think, this WWJD needs to be completed by WWID (What Would I
Do to him or to her if he or she were Jesus?). WWJD has some room for excuses.
Yes, I know Jesus will do this, but I am not Jesus, I am not perfect like him,
I have my weaknesses and shortcomings, so I cannot do like Jesus, I hope Jesus
will understand me. Therefore, to think the other way round will help us,
especially when it comes to our relationship with and attitude towards fellow
human beings. If this person were Jesus, what would I do to him or to her? Of
course I would like to be good to Jesus.
4.
Jesus is the head of our family and the owner of
our movable and immovable properties (v 30)
How would you feel, if I come to your house one
evening, go to your kitchen, set the table and serve you food and tell you to
feel at home, to not be shy, to eat more? You will feel that the behavior of
this friend of us has become strange. So you will probably call my wife and
plan to send me to a mental hospital, isn’t? But that was what Jesus exactly
did. The stranger guest became the host to the two disciples. He broke the
bread and gave it to them.
An old wall piece read: “Jesus is the head of this
family, the unseen guest of every meal and the silent listener to every
conversation.” There is something wrong in the logic of this popular wall
piece. If he is the head of the family, why should he be treated as guest? So
when realized the illogical, it has been changed to: “Jesus is the head of this
family, the unseen host of every meal ….”
What the risen Lord did that night in Emmaus
clearly tells us that he is indeed the head and owner of our family and
properties. He is indeed our host in our houses. In other words, whatever we
have in our family belongs to the risen Lord Jesus Christ and we should let him
use them in any way he wants.
5.
Our spiritual eyes need to be opened to see and
experience the risen Lord (v 31)
The amazing thing here in this verse is this:
Jesus did not say a word that he was Jesus. He just opened the eyes of his
disciples. The disciples then immediately recognized that he was Jesus. Many
people in the world today, including the wise and educated people, do not know
who Jesus is because they are spiritually blind. Many people would not mind
following Jesus as their human hero like Mahatma Gandhi, Lenin, or Abraham
Lincoln, but not as God, the risen Lord. Their approach to Jesus is
anthropocentric (as a good man), not theocentric (as God).
Paul in his letter to the Corinthians testifies
that resurrection is the foundation of our faith. Therefore, we need to pray
hard and open our hearts so that we may see and experience the risen Lord. When
we ourselves have seen and experienced the risen Lord, we can then pray for
those whose eyes are spiritually blind so that the risen Lord may open their eyes
to see him and to know him.
6.
Message is the preacher himself: The preacher’s
life need to reflect the Word of God (v 32)
The disciples’ hearts were burning while that
stranger taught them the Scriptures. They were yet to recognize that he was
Jesus. The disciples might have heard the Old Testament teaching before. But
this time, it’s different, because the words of the stranger were the very words
of Jesus himself, which came with power. This is a challenge for those of us,
who preach the Word of God. In order to have power in our preaching, our life
need to be like Jesus. We need to live a Christ-like life.
“Action speaks louder than words.” Even if many of
us may not be preaching the Gospel verbally all the time, we all can preach
through life and deeds all the time. Our Christ-like life will attract people to
the risen Lord. When people see the beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ in our
lives, they too will like to be his followers.
7.
The urgency of the Gospel proclamation (v 33)
Emmaus was some 11 kilometers distance from
Jerusalem. And it was already late evening when the eyes of the disciples were
opened. It was already dark. But they could not wait till the next day. They
immediately went to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news of the resurrection.
They went, not by a vehicle, but by walking, some three hours journey. This
feeling of the urgency of Gospel proclamation is what believers possess when
they experienced the risen Lord; when they found a new life. So, if a Christian
does not feel and see the need and urgency of the proclamation of the Gospel,
then something must have been wrong with his or her Christian life. Both as
individuals and as a church, we are to proclaim the Gospel by word and deed
both to city/urban centers and rural areas.
Prayer:
Let us
pause a moment and examine ourselves:
Have my
spiritual eyes been opened? Have I seen and experienced the risen Lord? Have I
been talking and thinking about Jesus, his life and ministries in my family,
school, college, university, work places, gatherings, and in my personal life? Am
I seriously and prayerfully reading, studying and meditating the Scriptures? Am
I seeking the help of the Holy Spirit to help me understand the Scriptures and
apply its teachings to my daily Christian life? Do I see and relate to the needy
person in the way I would relate to Jesus? Is Jesus the head and owner of my
family and properties? Am I living a Christ-like life? Do I feel the urgency of
Gospel proclamation?
If your
answers to the above questions are positive, then, continue the good work and
make a fresh commitment to do more. If it is negative, pray to God that he may
meet you at the point of your need.
The Lord
bless you!
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