Jesus on the Road to Emmaus by Bob Kraning

Notes taken from Bob Kraning’s Easter Message on April 16, 2006

Luke 24:13-35

Two on the road to Emmaus. Their hopes had been dashed. They were disheartened and discouraged. Jesus had told them that he would rise on the 3rd day…but they hadn’t seen him. Had Jesus failed? Their minds were on death…and they were disappointed. Is that why the two did not recognize Jesus?

What does this story reveal to us about Jesus?

1) The ability of Jesus to make send out of the senseless things of life.

Vs. 18 – The two asked Jesus if he didn’t know what was going on. What’s ironic is that Jesus is the only one who truly knew what was going on. They were wistfully longing for what Jesus had promised.

Joy and hope is renewed when Jesus shows us the answers. Even in the bewildering times…we are learning about what life really means.

2) We see the kindness, understanding and courtesy of Jesus.

Jesus listened to them as they talked. Jesus waited for an invitation to stay with them. He does them same today…he waits for an invitation. He joined them only after the invitation was received.

Jesus listened first, and then he guided them through all that they had learned. Cleopus indicted himself by sighting the scriptures. But the problem is…that it was in his head, not his heart.

Vs. 27 – Jesus shared with them…he went through the Old Testament scripture references that spoke of him. Genesis 3:15, Abraham and Isaac Genesis 22. The ram in the thicket…a picture in the Old Testament of Jesus sacrificial offering. The Passover in Egypt…and the blood of the lamb on the doorposts…and how the angel of the Lord would pass over. Isaiah 53…the picture of the suffering servant (pierced, crushed, by wounds we were healed.

3) Ability of Jesus to reveal himself…during the breaking of bread. Jesus took the bread, blessed it and then broke it. That’s when they recognized him. Why? Had they been there when Jesus fed the 5,000? The moment he broke the bread…they recognized him. Then he slipped away.

4) When you realize who Jesus truly is…you have to act.

These two men…ran back 20 miles to Jerusalem to tell the others. You can’t just sit there and do nothing when you know the truth. You can’t just sit there when you have truth…life giving truth that they need to hear. You just have to share it.

So…had the Father abandoned his Son? No! Instead he said Arise.

I need to recognize:

1) Jesus is Lord.

He came; he died so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

2) I need to remember He is the God of the Resurrection

He will be for us a resurrection…new beginning…sunrise….life out of death…hope out of darkness…success out of failure.

3) I need to make a commitment to Jesus to be his witness.

Not a witness…but to witness to others about him. Witness to the fact that Jesus is alive and he came to redeem us from our sins.

In Max Lucado’s book Six Hours One Friday he talks about Jairus and his daughter whom Jesus had raised from the dead. She had been dead and was now alive. She had the answer to the question that everyone wanted to know. At breakfast one morning…he asks the question. What was her response? “It’s a secret too good for words.”

Peace when there should be pain. Confidence in the midst of crisis. Does death have the final word? “Not on your life.”

Because I live…you shall live also. He’s taken away our sins and guilt. We are free.

Jirus daughter…she has the look…she knows the answer for the question everyone has. Does death have the final answer? “Not on your life!”

Lastly Bob Kraning recommended a book “Dinner with a Perfect Stranger” by Dick Gregory…if you’re not sure of your salvation and relationship with Jesus Christ.