Jesus welcoming the outsiders in - characters unique to Lukes gospel

Luke 24 v13-35 Shattered Dreams! Two on the Emmaus Road

Two people are walking down a road, they're walking with bowed heads. V17 'their faces downcast'.

They were walking away from their shattered dreams. They were going home. When things go wrong, that's where we want to be, safe in our own bed.

They were going home to Emmaus, a name that means warm baths. Perhaps that's what they wanted to do, sink into a warm bath!

Yet their dreams had almost been realised! They had witnessed the blind receive their sight; the lame made to walk; the dead raised to life.

v21 "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel"
They would have been part of that dream. Ruling a restored kingdom. The throne of David restored to one of his direct descendants.

And here they were, just a few days after that triumphal entry, with everything in tatters!
They were also walking away for their own safety. The authorities that had crucified their leader, would surely soon be after them.

And as they walked a stranger joined them. That was common practice, to walk with others, for safety and companionship to make the journey pass quickly.

It was Jesus! v16 "but they were kept from recognising him".

Why did they not recognise Him? Could it have been that they had last seen him dead on a cross. He had said that he would rise again, but surely that was impossible after the events they had witnessed.

This stranger asks an odd question: v17 "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" Jesus often initiates the revelation of himself by asking a question. Today Jesus will make Himself known with the question. "Where are you going? What are you doing? Why are you here? Questions that speak to our hearts and cause us to question our motives and actions.

They start to explain after a not very polite retort v18 Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
Again Jesus prompts with a question v19 "What things?"

They explain what has happened. There maybe some hope, some of the women, but then who would believe the testimony of a woman?

Then Jesus starts to 'open their spiritual eyes.
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

When you listen to a wonderful expositor like Jesus the miles simply fly! If you want to know the Jesus of the New Testament, you will find Him in the Old Testament first.

Then the Eastern hospitality How could they let this stranger continue, they had to invite him in.

It was when they saw Jesus at the 'breaking of bread' that the knew who it was. That's why the Communion or Eucharist is still so vital to the believer today, it's there that Jesus is made known. "This is my body, broken for you; this is my blood, shed for you'

The two who walked downcast to Emmaus, ran back to Jerusalem. (even though it was dark!) v34 and before they could get their news out the other disciples almost said "we know what your going to say.." , "It is true! The Lord has risen"

These two; Cleopas and the other; were walking away from their broken dreams.
What broken dreams are you walking away from? Family? Career? Relationships?)

You see they were their broken dreams.. not God's plan!

Their dream had been to overthrow the Romans and re-establish the Kingdom of Israel God's plan was to re-establish a relationship with all mankind through the death of His son.

Their dream involved a mighty army.

God's plan involved just one man; dead upon a cross.

Their victory dream would have been transient The Romans were very good at putting down rebellions!

God's plan brought about eternal victory.

If you are walking away from shattered dreams, you need to have your eyes opened to see the crucified, risen Jesus.

When you accept that Jesus is, 'Prince and Saviour' then you will run back to where you left your shattered dreams to affirm to the world that ""It is true! The Lord has risen.. he is alive!"

Not that your problems will have gone away, for those early disciples they were only just beginning, but that you will face them in the strength of the risen, reigning Lord Jesus. And through Him, you will triumph.

Mike Read