Luke 24:13–32
Have you ever gone through something so confusing, so disappointing, that all you could do was talk it out with someone—just to make sense of it? That’s exactly what we see in Luke 24:13–32. Two followers of Jesus were walking to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. Their hearts were heavy. Their minds were filled with questions. Their dreams felt shattered.
As they walked and talked about everything that had happened—Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and now the strange reports of an empty tomb—someone came alongside them. A stranger. Or so they thought.
It was Jesus. But they didn’t recognize Him. The very One they were talking about—the One they missed so much—was walking right beside them. Isn’t that just like God? Sometimes, in our confusion, in our grief, or in our waiting, Jesus is closer than we realize.
Jesus listened as they poured out their disappointment: “We had hoped He was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” That phrase—we had hoped—says so much. It speaks of broken dreams. Of prayers that didn’t seem to be answered. Of a plan that didn’t go the way they thought it would.
And then Jesus speaks truth into their pain. He says, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” (v. 25-26). He begins to walk them through the Scriptures—from Moses to the Prophets—showing them how it all pointed to Him. Can you imagine that Bible study? Step by step, their hearts began to burn. Hope started to rise again. When they arrived in Emmaus, they invited Him to stay. At the table, Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them—and suddenly their eyes were opened. They recognized Him! And just like that, He disappeared from their sight.
But their encounter with the risen Christ left a permanent mark. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (v. 32)
Friend, sometimes our journey feels confusing. Sometimes our prayers seem unanswered. But don’t miss this: Jesus walks with us. Even when we don’t recognize Him, He is near. He listens. He speaks truth. He reminds us that the story isn’t over.
So if your heart is heavy today, walk with Jesus. Invite Him in. Let His Word rekindle the fire in your soul. His resurrection isn’t just a story—it’s history. And more than that, it’s your hope.
A lot of people challenge the story of Jesus. In fact, even today, many question whether someone like Jesus ever existed at all. They challenge our faith—especially when it comes to the resurrection and the promise of life after death. We're constantly confronted with doubt, skepticism, and intellectual arguments. But here’s the truth: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are not just spiritual beliefs—they are recorded history.
Take the story we just reflected on from Luke 24. This isn’t just a spiritual parable. It’s part of a documented record written by someone who began as a historian, not a believer.
Luke—the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts—was a Greek physician and historian. He was not originally a Christian. In fact, he wasn’t even Jewish. He was a well-educated outsider, tasked with putting together an accurate historical account of the events of his time. Historical tradition tells us he was given this assignment by Roman leadership. He investigated carefully, interviewed eyewitnesses, and wrote what he learned.
Eventually, Luke did become a follower of Jesus, but he started simply as a man searching for the truth. That gives his words even more weight. He wrote not one, but two books that are now part of the New Testament. Luke's work reminds us that the story of Jesus is not based on myths or legends—it is rooted in time, place, and verifiable events.
And Luke wasn’t alone. Many non-Christian and non-Jewish historians—like Tacitus, Josephus, and Pliny the Younger—also recorded the life and crucifixion of Jesus. This isn’t just something we believe because it feels good. We believe because it’s true. Jesus lived. Jesus died. And Jesus rose again.
The resurrection is not just a beautiful idea. It’s not a feel-good Sunday school story. It is a historical fact—but more than that, it’s the foundation of our faith.
Back in 2015, there was a bizarre case in Ohio. A man who had gone missing 25 years earlier suddenly showed up. Alive. His family had long given up hope. He had been declared dead. His name was removed from records. Even the newspapers had published his obituary. But then—out of nowhere—he returned. You’d think that coming back to life would be cause for celebration. But in the eyes of the government, he was still dead. When he went to court to reverse the ruling and be declared legally alive, the judge said no. There was a three-year limit on reversing death declarations. Legally, he was stuck—a living man declared dead.
Now think about that. If it's that hard for a living person to be recognized as alive again by human systems, imagine what it took for Jesus to rise from the dead—and for people to believe it. But He did rise. And people saw Him. Spoke with Him. Ate with Him. Walked with Him. And they recorded it—over and over again.
The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical fact, it’s also an experiential reality. As believers, we don’t just read about the resurrection—we live in the power of it. We see the power of the risen Christ when broken hearts are healed… when addictions are broken… when joy rises out of mourning… when peace comes in the middle of chaos. The resurrection isn’t just a moment in history. It’s the proof of our faith, the guarantee of our salvation, and the source of our hope.
So don’t let the world shake your confidence in this truth. Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose again.
And He is alive today.
The life and resurrection of Jesus Christ are not just historical facts. They are also deeply personal experiences in our lives as believers. That’s why the Apostle Paul boldly wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “If Christ is not risen, your faith is worthless.” But because He is risen, our faith is not only worthwhile—it is powerful and eternal.
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of what we believe. It’s not a side story or a symbolic tradition—it is the core of our Christian faith. And along with that, we also believe in the second coming of Christ and the bodily resurrection that will take place when He returns. If any teaching denies these foundational truths, it’s not aligned with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That’s why we proclaim:
Christ has come.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
If you’ve seen that message displayed on our church signage, it’s because it captures the heart of our faith. It reminds us that Christianity is built not just on theology or philosophy, but on truth that transforms lives.
Among the gospel writers, Luke is the only one who includes the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus. It’s a story that reveals not only who Jesus is—but also how God opens our eyes through Scripture to recognize Him in our everyday lives.
These two men were followers of Jesus, though not part of the Twelve. They had believed in Him. They had hoped He would establish God’s kingdom on earth. But all their expectations were crushed when Jesus was crucified. By the third day, they were full of grief, fear, and disappointment.
So, they left Jerusalem—probably heading home to Emmaus. It was a seven-mile journey. If you’ve ever been to the Holy Land, you may have walked that same road. Archaeologists have uncovered what is believed to be the ruins of the original village of Emmaus, dating back to the time of Christ. It was likely the hometown of Cleopas, one of the two travelers.
These men were taking what I would call a walk of disappointment.
They had believed in Jesus.
They had dreamed big dreams.
They had expected victory.
But now, all they felt was loss.
They were walking away from the city of hope, toward a place of familiarity—but not necessarily peace. It was a walk filled with sadness, confusion, and disillusionment.
And then—a stranger appeared.
He walked alongside them.
He listened to their conversation.
And then He asked a simple question:
“What are you talking about?”
They couldn’t believe this man hadn’t heard the news.
“Are you the only one in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what happened?” they asked.
They began to explain: how Jesus, a powerful prophet, had been crucified… how they had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel… how some women claimed He had risen… but still, they hadn’t seen Him themselves. They were confused. Disheartened. Unsure of what to believe anymore. And yet—Jesus was right there with them.
He hadn’t left them. He hadn’t abandoned them. He was walking with them, even when they couldn’t recognize Him.
This story is not just about two men long ago. It’s about you and me. Because many of us have taken that same kind of walk. We’ve walked through disappointment. We’ve faced heartbreak, betrayal, sickness, and loss. We’ve had dreams die. Plans unravel. Futures fall apart.
And in those moments, we ask ourselves: Where is God? Why didn’t He show up? Why does He feel so distant?
But what this story reminds us is this: God is often closest to us when we feel He’s furthest away.
Just like the men on the road to Emmaus, we don’t always recognize Him at first. But He’s walking with us. He’s listening. He’s speaking. And—if we let Him—He’ll open our eyes through His Word and reveal Himself. We’ve all taken that long walk of disappointment. But take heart.
Jesus walks it with us. There’s a song that echoes a question many of us have faced at some point in life: “Where is your God?” It’s a question that cuts deep, especially when life feels heavy, when prayers go unanswered, and when silence seems to be God’s only reply.
But we’re not alone in this experience. The Bible is filled with stories of people who wrestled with this very question. Take, for example, the story of Lazarus. When Lazarus was sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus, urgently asking Him to come. They had seen His miracles, heard His teachings, and trusted in His love. But Jesus didn’t come right away. In fact, He waited two more days before setting out. During that delay, Lazarus died.
Can you imagine the disappointment, the confusion? Their hearts must have ached with questions: Where is Jesus? Why didn’t He come? Friends and neighbors might have echoed their doubts: Where is this miracle-worker you talk about? Where is the God you worship every Sunday?
We often face similar moments. We proclaim that God is good—and He is. But in times of pain, disappointment, and darkness, we may wonder: Is He really good? Is He still with me? Others may even question our faith. But the story of Lazarus reminds us that Jesus is the friend who shows up—even in our confusion, even when all hope seems lost. He may not come when we expect, but He always comes with purpose.
And if you reflect on your own life, you’ll likely see that some of your closest encounters with God came during your hardest seasons. I know this from personal experience. There were moments when I doubted Him—but He never doubted me. He never abandoned me. He gave me peace when I had none, healing when I was hurting, and comfort when I felt alone.
This is who God is. He will never leave you or forsake you. He walks with you even when you don’t see Him—just as Jesus walked alongside the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They didn’t recognize Him at first. Why? Because they had a preconceived idea of who Jesus should be and how events should unfold. They thought He would establish an earthly kingdom, freeing them from Roman oppression. But when things didn’t go according to their expectations, they assumed the whole mission had failed.
Dear friends, God always has a plan. It may not be our plan. It may not make sense to us. But it is good. And just because things don’t unfold the way we hoped doesn’t mean God is absent. In fact, it may mean He is working in ways we cannot yet see.
A little boy was excited to attend a birthday party for his friend. But on the day of the party, a snowstorm hit. His parents, worried about the blizzard, told him it wasn’t safe to go. Heartbroken, the boy pleaded, saying, “All my friends will be there. I’ll be the only one missing!” Finally, his parents relented and let him go. Bundled in his snow gear, he made his way through the storm. It took him far longer than usual, but he finally arrived. As he knocked on the door, he turned around and saw someone in the distance. It was his father—who had been following him the whole way to make sure he was safe.
That’s what God does.
Even when we walk through life’s storms—when it’s cold, dark, and lonely—God is right behind us. He’s walking with us, protecting us, even when we don’t realize it. Think of the other moments when Jesus showed up: In the storm, when the disciples feared for their lives, Jesus came walking on the water. When they had fished all night and caught nothing, Jesus showed up and filled their nets.
In the lions’ den with Daniel, God shut the mouths of the lions. In the fiery furnace, there was a fourth figure—like the Son of God—walking with the three young men. God always shows up. Even when the fire rages, even when we feel alone, He is with us. His love never changes. His mercy is everlasting.
Sometimes, fear overwhelms our faith. When everything is going well, faith feels strong. But in trials, fear can take over. That’s the enemy’s strategy—to attack us when we’re weak. But even in those moments, Jesus is as close as our very breath.
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had seen the empty tomb with their own eyes. But they still didn’t believe. How many times have we seen “empty tombs” in our lives—moments when God made a way out of no way—and yet we forget?
Don’t make the same mistake. Just because we don’t understand something doesn’t mean it isn’t real. We accept things we don’t understand every day—from how our phones work to medical procedures. Yet when it comes to faith, we hesitate.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. Many people know about Him—but haven’t experienced Him as their personal Lord and Savior. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” The distractions and deceptions of the world can keep us from seeing Jesus clearly.
If the disciples had truly believed Jesus was risen, their direction and their conversation would have changed. They wouldn’t have been walking away from Jerusalem in despair—they’d have been walking toward it in hope.
When you truly encounter Jesus, your life takes a U-turn. Everything changes—your path, your purpose, your passion. When the disciples recognized Jesus, they were filled with joy and ran back to Jerusalem to testify.
So, what should we do when we are confused or discouraged? Search the Scriptures. That’s what Jesus did—He opened the Word to them. He reminded them of the prophecies, the promises, and the truth.
Let the Scriptures burn within you like they did for the disciples. That kind of “heartburn” is good. It’s the fire of conviction, the warmth of God’s Word reminding you that He is with you, He is for you, and He has a plan.
And remember the story of the footprints in the sand. When there was only one set of footprints, it wasn’t because God left—but because He was carrying you.
You have a choice: to walk away from your “Jerusalem” in disappointment, or to return to it with courage and hope. Jesus promised, “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you” (John 14:18). And He will come again to restore us completely.
So be encouraged. Be empowered. Jesus is with you—always.
Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment