The Jesus Who Asks, “What Happened?”

(Luke 24:13-31)

Andy Nagahara

A. Not recognizing Jesus

1) The Jesus who appeared as a third party (13-15)

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;

2) The Jesus who asked for an explanation (16-18)

but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

3) The disciples who could not believe despite the empty tomb (19-24)

“What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

B. How can we believe in Jesus as Lord?

1) Understanding with our mind (25-27)

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

2) Our hearts being touched (28-31)

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Summary

We don’t need to have mysterious, supernatural experiences in order to decide to follow Jesus and walk with him. If we focus too much on the having supernatural experiences, we can confuse other voices with that of Jesus. What we need to do is to read the word of God as recorded in the Bible, expect that the Holy Spirit will touch us as we continue to worship and be in communion with God.

For Discussion

1) Why did Jesus enter the conversation with his disciples as an unrelated third party?
2) Why didn’t the disciples recognize Jesus right away?