Church For All Nations

After the resurrection of our Lord, the disciples were gathered together in the upper room, except two of the disciples who were walking through the hill country to Emmaus which is described as being 60 stadia (10.4 to 12 km depending on what definition of stadion is used) from Jerusalem.

The stadia measures, were the furlong or stade (stadium), the mile (mille passus), and the league (leuga). The stade consisted of 625 Roman feet (185 metres or 606.9 feet), or 125 paces, and was equal to one-eighth of a mile.

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In the King James Version, the distance from Jerusalem to Emmaus was three score furlongs which was about 12km about seven miles.

The road from Jerusalem to Emmaus still exist today as a dirt road, although the original Roman Road does exist today. I have mentioned many, many, times during my bible studies, do not just take any one of the gospels and think to yourself that you have the full picture, you haven’t. Each Gospel is taken from four people, you have to take the four gospels before you get the full picture.

The full account of Jesus on the road to Emmaus is in Luke 24:13-33.

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The journey to Emmaus was on the same day that Christ had risen from the dead. One of the two men was Cleopas or Alpheus, said by the ancients to be the brother of Joseph, Christ’s earthly father; who the other disciple was is not certain.  Some say that it was Peter quoting 1 Corinthians 15:5 which Paul says: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve, but it couldn’t be Peter, when the two men returned to Jerusalem, they found the eleven disciples gathered together.

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V13 As the two disciples walked to Emmaus, which would have taken them three to four hours, maybe slightly longer, don’t forget that they were in no hurry as they spent all their time talking about everything that had happened over the last few days.
Why they had left the security of the other disciples is only supposition. It is thought that they were heading homewards to Galilee as their trust in Jesus being the Messiah had died with Him on the cross of Calvary.

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V14 Have you ever been in a very deep discussion with a friend as you walked along the road without noticing another friend had started to walk with you, you still hadn’t seen him walking with you until he finally spoke to you. That is what it must have been like on the road to Emmaus, two men in deep discussions about the events of the past few days.

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V15 when Jesus walked up beside them, I dare say that the two men felt more secure when their numbers increased from two to three as there was always a possibility of being attacked by robbers.

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V16 At that time, the eyes of the two men were prevented from recognising Jesus, as the time wasn’t right to know who they were talking to.

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V17  Jesus entered into their discussions by asking a question of curiosity, Jesus then asked are your sad, it was a friendly question although Jesus knew exactly what the two men had been discussing as they slowly walked along their journey.
The discussions were just between Christ and the two disciples, Jesus knew them and loved them both very much. As He had been with and teaching all of His disciples, it was only when the Holy Spirit came down upon them would they remember everything that Jesus had said to them.

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But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

 

When I went on a caring training course, we learned to recognised when a person was not telling the way that they were truly feeling or the problems that they were facing.
Jesus knew how to start the conversation by starting at the beginning, “what are you discussing?” in other words, what are you talking about as you seem to be in a very deep and troublesome conversation? As you walk along, you seem very sad. Jesus knew both of these disciples although they knew Him not. Jesus felt compassion at their grief, it also shows of the love that these two disciples had for their master.
As followers of Jesus, we should also show the compassion that Jesus showed and to weep with those who are weeping. In every situation remember just four letters. WWJD “What Would Jesus Do.”  Go and do likewise.

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Can you put yourselves in their place, how would you truly feel watching someone who you loved nailed to a cross, I know how I would feel, it would be like having my heart ripped out of my chest. Never forget that they never had any bibles to confer with, Yes they had the scrolls and the teachings of the Scribes and the Pharisees but they certainly wouldn’t help as they had manipulated Pilate and the crowds to put to death Jesus Christ and to free a murderer named Barabas.

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V18  Cleopas answered Him and said, “are you only a stranger in Jerusalem and haven’t heard what has been happening these past few days. It is like some massive catastrophe in our world today, something that will affect every man, woman and child in the world, you hear them talking in the office and you ask your work colleagues what they were discussing, their first answer would probably be, “where have you been, have you not seen the newspapers or watched the news on the television, you must be the only person in the world who doesn’t know what has happened in our world today.

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V19 Jesus’ answer was a simple, what things, thus making Himself more of a stranger, Jesus Christ made light of His own sufferings, it was a way for them to tell Jesus the whole story.

The disciples must have been surprised at that question as all Jerusalem had been in an uproar for a few days, it would be hard for them to believe that any visitor would be unaware of everything that had been happening in Jerusalem especially with a tomb that had been found empty.
The two disciples started to recount everything that had happened from the betrayal of Jesus by one of their own, the arrest, trial & crucifixion of Jesus and how the tomb had been found empty.

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Jesus would have listened intently of their recount of the past few days & feeling their pain and sorrow through every tearful word that was spoken. Unknowingly to the disciples, their pain would soon become joy and gladness. Jesus also would examine the disciples on how much they had learned. They must tell him what things they know, and then he will tell them what was the meaning of these things. and lead them into the mystery of them.

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Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. John 16:20

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• V20. chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

• V21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

• V22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

• V23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

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V25 When they had finished telling the stranger every sorrowful detail, Jesus lovingly reprimanded them for their lack of understanding and the weakness of their faith, Jesus then said to them, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:”
 

Although Christ had forgiven us to our brother thou fool, it was intended to restrain us from giving unreasonable reproaches, not from giving just reproofs. Christ called them fools, not as it signifies wicked men, in which sense he forbade it to us, but as it signifies weak men. He might call them fools, for he knows our foolishness, the foolishness that is bound in our hearts.

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V26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
 

Jesus explained that Christ had to suffer and be crucified and that He would arise from the dead on the third day.

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V27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself, showing to them as it was written especially through His works that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.

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V28-33 They finally reached Emmaus, Jesus acted as though He intended to continue walking on, but as the night was quickly drawing in and the dangers that a single traveller could face being attacked and robbed, the disciples persuaded the stranger to stay the night with them and to continue His journey the following day once it has become light. He went in, to stay with them. Christ is always ready to give further instructions and comforts to those who improve what they have received. He has promised that if any man opens the door, to bid him welcome, he will come in to him

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Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

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He sat to eat with them and as Jesus had done during the last supper, He broke bread and after giving thanks, He was made known to them and vanished from their sight.

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Aphantos egeneto—He withdrew himself from them, slipped away out of sight.
Can you imagine the astonishment that they must have felt, finally recognizing that the stranger they had been talking to, who had joined them on their walk, was Jesus.

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They felt that there was something special about this stranger, their hearts burned within their chest as they walked along the way, as He was explaining the scriptures to them.

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The tiredness that they once felt after walking the 11km from Jerusalem, they must have felt so excited, the adrenaline had started to fill their bodies. They quickly got ready for their return to Jerusalem and to report to the other disciples that they had seen Jesus, they recount everything that had happened to them on the road to Emmaus by the time that they had returned to Jerusalem our Lord had already appeared to Simon Peter.

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The Eight Resurrection appearances of Jesus by Jimmy Kinnaird

 

First, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene at the tomb (Mark 16:9). Mary was weeping at the tomb, thinking she had lost Jesus forever. Jesus appeared and brought victory over despair.

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Second, Jesus appeared to other women as they were leaving the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10). They thought he was dead, but he appeared to them, and they worshipped Him there. Jesus brought victory over death.

 

Third, Jesus met up with two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). These men were talking about all the week's events surrounding Jesus. They didn’t understand what had happened. Jesus talked with them and stayed with them until they understood. Jesus brought victory over confusion.

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Fourth, Jesus appeared to 10 disciples who were hiding together (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25). These disciples were afraid of what might happen to them since Jesus had been killed. Jesus brought victory over fear.

 

Fifth, Jesus appeared to all 11 remaining disciples (Mark 16:14; John 20:26-31). Thomas, who had doubted Jesus’ resurrection, was with them this time. Jesus brought victory over doubt.

 

Sixth, Jesus appeared to seven disciples, including Peter, who had denied Jesus three times (John 21). At this appearance, Jesus puts Peter back into ministry. Jesus brought victory over failure.

 

Seventh, Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples at a pre-arranged location on a mountain in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20). There Jesus told them He had been given all power and authority. He gave His followers the great commission to make disciples. Jesus brought victory over any other power.

 

Eighth, Jesus finally appeared to as many as 500 of His followers at one time. He confirmed the completion of His mission and the promise of the Holy Spirit (Luke 22:44-49; Acts 1:3-8). Jesus had victory over all things.

 

Then Jesus' followers watched Him ascend to heaven. He disappeared from sight into a cloud. Suddenly two men in white stood before the disciples and told them Jesus would return the same way He was taken up into heaven. The Bible teaches that Jesus will return to judge the earth and set up His everlasting kingdom. This is the victorious Jesus! We share in every aspect of Jesus’ victory. So, rejoice, not just this Easter, but everyday of the year.

 

Always remember that evangelism is only one part of reaching the lost souls for Jesus, we are also called to take care of the Widows and Orphans a very special ministry of caring, this also includes looking after the poor and the destitute of our society.

 

The is a very special kind and heart-warming evangelism. In everything that we do, let the love of Jesus shine through us touching the heart and souls of everyone whom we meet.

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Isn’t this the greatest news, so why keep it to ourselves.

 

Go out and share the good news of Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven!

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We are living in the very last days before our Lord’s return for His church, we have no time to waste, we have been called to go out and rescue those people who have been bound tightly in the chains of Satan, only the love of Jesus Christ can set them free.

 

When Jesus sets the free, they will BE FREE INDEED!

 

 

Praise the Lord.

 

Amen!

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