JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION - Meeting with His Disciples

   

                  17. JESUS WALKS WIITH US - ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS
                                         Read Luke 24:13-35; 

"The same day two of Jesus followers were walking to the village of Emmaus. As they walked along they were talking about evevrything that had happened to Jesus. As they talked Jesus Himself began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him." Luke 24:13-16 (NLT)

As Jesus joined thes two confused men, they engaged in a lively  convversation. This was a great TRUE STORY, of "two broken, grieving men", who  had just lost their friend Jesus. They were troubled and confused, yet He walked beside them. 

Everyone moves through grief differently, and we all heal in our our time. Some of us need to talk through it with a FRIEND, some need to just PRAY in a quiet place. Personally, I have done written a few books about it - most of all expressing my need to spend time with JESUS.

"GOD COMFORTS US ALL IN OUR TROUBLES so that WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE with the COMFORT WE OURSELVES RECEIVE FROM GOD."                                                                                                                     2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV)

"THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKENHEARTED. He rescues those whose spirits are broken." Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

Jesus knew what it meant to grieve - he had lost family and friends: his father Joseph, John the Baptist and Lazarus - he is aware when we "emotional experiences". Yet even in His own personal heartache, he is able to hae COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. In Latin, compassion means: to "co-suffer". Jesus wants to relieve our suffering, and wants us to GROW through our grieving and "brokeness".

"He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrow, ACQUAINTED WITH DEEPEST GRIEF. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care." Isaiah 53:3 (NASB)

Jesus asked the men on the road to share with Him what had happened in Jerusalem:   

"Jesus of Nazareth was a proophet, powerful in word  and deed before God and all the people.  The chief priests and the rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and to be crucified; but we had hoped that he was the one who would redeem Israel....... Jesus said to them, "How foolish you are and how slow to believe what the prophets had spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things  and then enter His glory!" Luke 24: 19-21; 25&26 (NIV)

After they arrived into Emmaus, and came to their home, they invited Jesus to have a meal with them, but they still did not recognize him as their Saviour and Lord. When He say down and broke bread with them, their eyes were opened, and they knew it was JESUS! He then disappeared from their sight.

"They got up and returned  at once to Jerusalem. The found the Eleven and those assembled together and saying, "IT IS TRUE, THE LORD HAS RISEN"......Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how they recognized Jesus when He broke the bread."    Luke 24:33-35 (NIV)

                           18. MEETING WITH HIS DISCIPLES IN JERUSALEM
                             Read  Mark 16:12-14; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23
                                               

Jesus appeared to the disciples again, after Peter, John and the men from Emmaus had told them what they had seen. 

"Jesus came and stood among them and said: "Peace be with you."

"He showed them His hands and His side and they were overjoyed when they saw the Lord." John 20:19&20 (NIV)

I remember a time when Jesus appeared to me. It was in when I was in hospital, after losing my second child. He held in His hands my baby boy, Jonathon, and my mother was with him, holding my daughter, Emma.  For the first time in my life, my faith had been "trembling" and the vision of my Saviour had been "blurred"; but it now became clear again.

"Jes makes Himself clear and available to us, if we seek Him. We can LIVE A LIFE WITH HIM forever as He has always promised." Max Lucado

       

"THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION", 2011, Biblica

" THE HOLY BIBLE - NEW LIVING TRANSLATION", 2015, Tyndale House Foundation

"NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE", 2020, The Lockman Foundation

"Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia",  (2018)    Jamison Statema (Lead Singer), Chad Graham, D.J Chase Akers (Performers), Go Fish Music -                                      Great Music For Kids/You Tube   

"Peace Be With You - Risen Jesus Appears" - (2026),  Worship Forever  (Artists), Easter Worship/You Tube    

LUCADO, Max, "When Christ Comes", 2001, Word Publishing