Walking to Emmaus | Luke 24:1-36
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] 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.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
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 they did not see Jesus.” - Luke 24:1-24 (NIV)
I. An Interrupted Journey
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. (Luke 24:13-14, NIV)
“The story line in Luke’s Gospel points to Jerusalem like one big arrow, because Jerusalem is where Jesus was hanged on the cross… where he was made poorer than a beggar, where he was despised as a traitor, and where he was cast out like a Samaritan or a failed disciple.” - Mark Dever, The Message of the New Testament
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 24:15-16, NIV)
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:17-18, NIV)
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…” (Luke 24:19-21, NIV)
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 they did not see Jesus.” (Luke 24:22-24, NIV)
II. A Gentle Rebuke
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
anoétos
The term “anoétos” is used in the New Testament to describe a lack of understanding or discernment… The word suggests a willful ignorance or a failure to apply wisdom and insight, particularly in spiritual matters. - Strong’s Lexicon
“Our Lord did not call them fools, but foolish persons… He chided them; gently, but still wisely. He let them know that their unbelief was blameworthy, and he called them foolish for indulging it.” - Charles Spurgeon, Folly of Unbelief, August 28, 1887
The Folly of Unbelief
a. Unbelief is folly when we disconnect what we believe from what we see happening in our lives.
b. Unbelief is folly when disconnect God’s Word from God’s Providence.
Reflection: Where in your life are you trusting circumstances more than God’s promises?
“I feel so thankful to our Lord for using that word. Though we ought to condemn our own unbelief with all our hearts, yet our Saviour is full of tenderness, and so freely forgives, that he looks upon our fault as folly, and not as wilful wickedness.” - Charles Spurgeon, Folly of Unbelief, August 28, 1887
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:27, NIV)
III. A Risen Savior
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on 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 24:28-29, NIV)
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. (Luke 24:30-31, NIV)
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 24:32, NIV)
Responding to the Resurrection
Believe
If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9, NIV)
Repent
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. (Luke 24:33, NIV)
Rejoice
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 24:33-35, NIV)
Group Questions
Read Luke 24:1-36 as a group.
Have you ever encountered Jesus ‘on the road to Emmaus?’ Has He ever interrupted your journey to doubt? What was that like for you?
How are we guilty of the ‘folly of unbelief?’ Do we disconnect what we believe from what we see happening in our lives? Do we disconnect God’s Word from God’s Providence? What is Jesus’ gentle rebuke for us in these circumstances?
Why do you think Jesus waited until the meal with these two disciples to reveal Himself? Where in your everyday life do you need to see Jesus? What ordinary moments, routines, and tasks might become sacred when you invite Him in?
The resurrection of Jesus changes everything: past, present, and future. How has the reality of the resurrection impacted your perspective on life, suffering, and hope? What difference does it make in your everyday walk with God?