April 27, 2014
Morning Service

Luke 24.

 

Last Sunday we saw the most spectacular event in History.  The resurrection of our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  What Jesus told them would happen, happened.  A man that came with a message from God, without sin, only preaching love, the religious leaders took an crucified Him on Calvary’s hill.  IT WAS THE CONCLUSION & BEGINNING.

The conclusion of His earthly ministry, and the beginning of life eternal, for all who will believe in the message that He instructs His disciples to teach. 

We looked at the resurrection, and the disbelief, and the sorrow, for His loss.  Now let’s finish the story.

ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Luke 24: (13)  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.  (14)  And they talked together of all these things which had happened.  (15)  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.  (16)  But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  (17)  And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?  (18)  And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?  (19)  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:  (20)  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.  (21)  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.  (22)  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;  (23)  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.  (24)  And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.  (25)  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:  (26)  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?  (27)  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.  (28)  And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.  (29)  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.  (30)  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.  (31)  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.  (32)  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

·         Luke elaborates on this event.  Mark mentions it briefly, and it is not mentioned in the other two gospels.

·         According to Luke, in the beginning of Acts, this is the beginning of a 40 day period of instructions before He leaves for Heaven.

THE PROOF OF HIS RESURRECTION:

(33)  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,  (34)  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.  (35)  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 

·         One commentator mentioned how excited these two were.  Didn’t even stay the night, but rose up and left for Jerusalem the same hour that Jesus left them.  Also commenting on this is the way it is when you have had an experience with Jesus.  You are excited, and you’ve got to tell people about it.   YOUR HEART SHOULD BURN WITH EXCITEMENT, AND JOY.

·         DO WE KNOW HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD, OUR COMMUNION SERVICE?

 

 

(36)  And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  (37)  But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.  (38)  And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?  (39)  Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 

·         According to Paul in the letter to Corinth, our bodies will be resurrected, and this will be another marvelous miracle.  Jesus is confirming this in this passage. 

(40)  And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.  (41)  And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?  (42)  And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.  (43)  And he took it, and did eat before them. 

·         They were bewildered beyond measure, but still wasn’t convinced.

·         He further shows them it is He, in His glorified body, by eating with them.

(44)  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 

·         Matthew, in his gospel, brings forth on many occasions, the Scripture that Jesus fulfills.

·         All the writers do this.  This is important for building our faith that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God.

(45)  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,  (46)  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  (47)  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (48)  And ye are witnesses of these things. 

·         Now this would excite anyone.  I can tell you this is what He tells you, and I today, If we are interested enough to study the Scriptures, He will open our understanding.  ASK, AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE, KNOCK, AND IT WILL BE OPENED UNTO YOU, SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND.

·         James said, “if any on you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all men liberally.”

(49)  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.  (50)  And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.  (51)  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.  (52)  And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:  (53)  And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

·         The promise of My Father.   Joel (Joe 2:28)  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

·         This is the promise that Jesus is speaking of.  But this promise is only gonna come when they tarry in Jerusalem.  We will leave our study in Luke, but continue it in Acts.  Dr. Luke also wrote the book of Acts.  We are going to find information that will build our faith, make us stronger Christians, and to prepare us for the Lord’s return. 

WE WANT IT TO BE SAID OF US, AS IT WAS CONCERNING JESUS.  (Luk 2:52)  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

 

(Rev 21:9)  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Then John sees the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven, and describes it, and at last he describes the Bride, 

(Rev 21:24)  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.          DO YOU SEE IT?  IT’S NOT THE CITY, BUT THE SAVED OUT OF EVERY NATION, THE BRIDE, THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST.

FATHER, AS THE BRIDE, HELP US TO MAKE EVERY DAY A DAY OF RENEWAL, JOY, AND ANTICIPATION.  EXPECTING THE RETURN OF OUR LORD.