Let Us Begin To Grasp The Implications of Serving A Living Savior.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-43; John 20:19-29

 Jesus had been taken, tried, judged guilty, and crucified, and the disciples had scattered, confused, despairing, and fearing for their lives. But Jesus conquered death and arose. He lives! This week we’ll focus on how Jesus reconnected with His beloved friends and followers, walking and breaking bread with them, reassuring them, and explaining what they should do next. We’ll begin to grasp the implications of serving a living Savior.

 

Questioning the Facts

“That same day, two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along, they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. . . . “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. . . . “Our leading priests and other religious leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. We had hoped He was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago. Then, some women from our group of His followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said His body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, His body was gone, just as the women had said.” Luke 24:13-17, 19-24 (NLT).

 

The Scene

This interaction of Jesus with two of his followers on the road occurred on the same day as the Resurrection. We know very little about these disciples except that one man’s name was Cleopas, and the other man also was not one of the eleven. As these men were walking the seven miles to Emmaus, “they were talking about everything that had happened.” Cleopas and his friend may have taken part in the Triumphal Entry and may later have heard the crowds call for Jesus’ death. Perhaps they had witnessed Jesus’ final walk through Jerusalem and even His execution. They were discussing these events as they left the city and were returning home.

Jesus began walking with the two men, “but God kept them from recognizing Him.” Joining their intense conversation, Jesus asked what they had been discussing. At His question, they stopped, “sadness written across their faces,” and responded. Apparently, the two hadn’t been able to understand what had just occurred in Jerusalem and were still upset about what they had seen and heard.

The men rehearsed the facts and expressed their feelings about the recent events, describing Jesus as a powerful “prophet” and “mighty teacher” (Luke 24:19) who had been condemned to death and crucified. They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah, their Redeemer. As far as they knew, however, He had died like all the other prophets before Him. So, when Jesus died, they lost all hope. These men didn’t understand that Jesus’ death offered the greatest hope and redemption possible. Although they had heard an amazing report from some women about the tomb being empty and meeting angels there, which was confirmed by Peter and John, the two travelers left the city still believing their hopes in Jesus and his Kingdom had died with him.

 

Getting Personal

1. What makes reports of modern-day miracles so difficult to believe?
2. When have you heard someone tell of God’s amazing work in his or her life? How did you feel about what that person said?
3. What would Jesus say to you today that would give you hope and life in your sadness? 

These followers of Jesus, walking sadly toward their homes in Emmaus, had read the Prophets and had heard Jesus say that “on the third day He would be raised from the dead” (Matthew 16:21). Then, on that third day after the Crucifixion, they had heard the women tell of a missing body and the angels’ message that Jesus was alive. Yet they walked in sadness, not believing the reports or bothering to find out if they were true.

Many believers respond like the two men on the way to Emmaus. We know the verses about God’s power and have our theology straight about God’s sovereignty. We may even have heard or read testimonies of God’s amazing work in people’s lives. Yet still, we wonder if those reports are true, and we pray timidly. Then, we are surprised when God answers. And when confronted with difficult circumstances, we quickly lose hope. Instead, we should remember that the God who raised Jesus wants to work in us and through us—and He walks with us.

 

Talking to God

As you pray today, shift your focus from the problems and conflicts that seem so pressing to considering who God is and, what He has done for you and what He is doing for you. 

Veerman, D. R. Life Application Study Bible Devotional.