
Luke 24:13-32 (ESV)
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Intro: What are the latest headlines?
DAZED & CONFUSED
Slow hearts: What does discouragement reveal?
EXPOSED BUT LOVED
Opened hearts: What do we learn from Jesus’ appearance?
LED INTO A NEW UNDERSTANDING
Burning hearts: However long it takes, what fuels a paradigm shift?
YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD for His all-surpassing power! Praise and adore Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that He is mightier than our sin, death and hell.
2 - In what ways do you live with a lens of your experience (whether in fear or pride) interpreting all that you believe? Confess your pride and unbelief to Jesus, asking Him to wash you and give you His perspective.
3 - Give thanks to Jesus for His initiative to move toward us in our unbelief! Thank Him for graciously revealing His Word to us so that we could know Him and trust His work to conquer sin, death, Satan and hell!
4 - Who do you know that is discouraged and hopeless? Ask the Lord to overcome the deadness of their soul and give them a sense of His living, all-powerful Presence!
5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into where you functionally live as if Jesus was neither punished in your place, nor raised in victory. Ask Him to change your heart and mind and to give you His joy.