HE IS RISEN INDEED!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Luke 24:30-34

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

          What happened to the Emmaus two? They are not named here but it is clear that they were believers and well known to the inner circle of apostles. The left Jerusalem after the horrible events of the crucifixion and travelled, on foot, toward Emmaus which is about eight miles northwest of Jerusalem. They were discouraged!

          They had hoped that Jesus would “redeem” Israel but the redemption they had hoped for was a political and cultural redemption. Now that He was dead the dreadful reality of Roman rule and Pharisaical corruption would continue unabated. Jesus didn’t do what they expected Him to do. They were disappointed!

          Wuest, in his word studies, describes Luke 24:17 as “animated heated conversation.” They were trying to make sense of all the recent events and were exchanging opinions. They wondered what went wrong and why. They were debating!

          Jesus drew alongside them and walked with them. As they walked and talked, Jesus asked them why they were so sad. They wondered if he was a stranger. Perhaps he had newly arrived in Jerusalem and had missed all that had taken place. In answer to Jesus’ question, they told him in great detail what had taken place including the rumor that some had found the tomb empty. They were deluded!

          Jesus opened the scriptures unto them. He may have begun with Genesis 3:15 which tells of the “enmity” between Satan’s seed and the woman’s seed. He probably explained what it meant to bruise the serpent’s head while bruising his own heel in the process. In the house, there was something familiar about the way Jesus broke the bread! Their eyes were opened. They were delighted!

          They ran back to Jerusalem and the eight miles somehow seemed shorter on this return trip. Verse 33 says “they found the eleven (Judas was dead) gathered together. They heard them say “the Lord is risen indeed and has appeared unto Simon.” While they were talking, Jesus himself shows up. This encounter changed them and filled them with resolve. He led them as far as Bethany and then he ascended out of their sight. They were determined!

Luke 24:50-53

50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Dear Lord, let your resurrection accomplish the same things in us. Let us be “continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.” AMEN