Followers of a Risen Lord
Luke 24:13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
Luke 24:17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
8 Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, *said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? 9 "Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'?
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 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?"
Luke 24:19 "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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see."
Luke 24:25 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.
Luke 24:28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 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.
Luke 24:30 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. 32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
Luke 24:37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
Luke 24:40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."
Luke 24:50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
As a follower of Christ, there will be times that you wont understand. Times that will be confusing.
Times when you are concerned
Times that fears and doubts will creep in.
There will be circumstances that will stretch your faith beyond what you think you can bear
There will be issues that will challenge what you think you know.
Things wont always go the way you think they would or should
In these times, Jesus meets us.
Jesus will break in - often unexpectedly
John 14:18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
This is a promise Jesus gave his followers hours before his crucifixion
Jn 14:19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
There will be times you will be tempted to think that you are an orphan, but the fact that he comes proves you are not one.
Jim & Cindy Presnell
Jesus will bring Peace
In the midst of confusion, places where we are overwhelmed
Luke 24:36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me ...
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
His presence - he stood among them - he is with them and us
There are times when you know Jesus is with you, he has his arms around you
His teaching -
2 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"
His peace is not only a stillness of rest, but also a burning confident action. A peace that brings clearness of purpose, peace to move forward in
Not a peace that removes conflict but brings clarity and confidence.
Jesus will point to scripture
Luke 24:25 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.
Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
Not circumstance - our first response is to look at the circumstances to gain understanding - circumstances are fresh, right before us, we can walk to them
The men on the Emmaus road were talking about the circumstances to understand what was happening
The disciples were giving more credence to the immediate circumstances, trying to understand what was happening
Luke 24:37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
Not superstition
Explaining things we don't understand by things we don't understand
Friday 13
Not common consensus
Based on the collective understanding that is colored by what everyone WANTS
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.
Public opinion is always fickle -
Jesus opens our minds to his truth and ways
Luke 24:44 He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."
Luke 24:45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem
He opens the minds of those who are willing to know him for who he is
Those moving in his direction
In faith purposing ot know him.
Without Christ opening our minds we can not understand and apply scripture. That is a power we often do not exercise - not everyone understands, but those who do have the ability to share with authority
Jesus sends you out with a message and in God's power
48 You are witnesses of these things
example:
Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
They had to tell someone what Jesus had done.
Jesus gives you power
Promised by the Father --
Scripture already fulfilled in Christ ---- will be now
Power that is realized through obedience. "stay in the city until..."
Promise realized daily, in real time, real life
As a follower of a risen Lord...
We live in the Peace of Christ, the revelation and application of Scripture and the daily promise of power from God.