Easter Sunday – March 31, 2024 “You Can Trust Jesus”

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

After a tumultuous Friday, and a hopeless Saturday… a Victorious Sunday!

The angel met the women at the empty tomb and said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”

Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 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?”

“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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he was going farther. 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.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened up Scripture to us?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Let’s Take a Moment and Talk About Trust Issues…

According to Psych Central, “Trust issues can come from an unloving childhood, experiencing betrayal in a relationship, or having endured a traumatic incident.”

These two disciples had trust issues.
Their trust issues were with Jesus… they had followed him, heard his teaching, hoped that he would be the One to redeem Israel… but no. “Can we even trust him?”

Do you have trust issues?
You’re walking your path… things haven’t gone according to plan. You find yourself disappointed, hurt, confused, wondering to yourself, “who can I trust?” “Can I trust Jesus?”

Easter Morning Proves Unequivocally, You Can Trust Jesus… Why?

• Jesus Meets You Where You Are

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them.” Where was Emmaus? West of Jerusalem

Luke 19:10 (NIV)
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

• Jesus Dispels Unbelief

“Beginning with Moses and the Prophets, he explained to them what was said concerning himself.”

Gen. 3:15, “you may strike man’s heel, but HE will crush your head.”

Psalm 16:10, “you will not let your Holy One see decay.”
Isaiah 53:10, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him… cause him to suffer… make his life a guilt offering… yet, He will see his offspring and prolong His days!”

Mark 9:30-32, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.”

• Jesus Brings Comfort

“Stay with us…”

There’s something very comforting about the presence of the Lord.

• Jesus Reveals Himself

“Their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”

• Jesus is Truth

“They found the eleven saying, ‘It Is True’!”

The First Easter Sunday… Jesus proved to these two disciples, “You Can Trust Me.”

Easter Sunday, Match 31, 2024… Jesus still answers the question, “Can I Trust You?”

A question only you can answer: “Will I Trust You?”