“I Can See”
Luke 24:13-35
A Narrative
How can we know today that Jesus is the Saviour in whom we should place our trust?
Setup Narration:
Cleopas and his wife (possibly) are making a 7.5 mile trip from Jerusalem to their small town of Emmaus. It is late in the afternoon of the Sunday of (unbeknownst to them) the resurrection. They are grieving deeply over the death of Jesus, both because of the horror they witnessed and the shock that he is gone.
Conversation I: Cleopas and his wife
He: What do you make of the news from the women this morning?
She: Very strange! Saying that they saw a vision of angels
He: Yes, and finding the tomb empty…. How can it be that Jesus, who performed such mighty miracles and was so kind could have met such an horrible death?
She: Perhaps we should dwell on the good things he did. Do you remember the day he fed the multitude with five loaves and two fishes?
He: Yes! There must have been ten thousand people there, at least! He kept reaching into the basket and each time there would be more bread. What a miracle!
She: And do you remember the sermon afterward?
He: Yes, “I am the bread of life that is come down from heaven”.
Narration:
As they walked, and they were walking rather slowly, they realized that someone was approaching them from behind, walking more briskly. Cleopas glanced back to see how close the fellow-traveller was. He was closing quickly, but seemed harmless. The stranger drew abreast of them, then slowed his pace to match theirs.
Jesus: Hello, fellow travelers! How are you on this beautiful day!
Cleopas: We are in good health.
Jesus: Why do you look so sad? “This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” the scriptures say!
Cleopas: Thank you, but honestly, we are in grief over the death of a dear friend.
Jesus: I am sorry. Who was this friend, if I might enquire.
Cleopas: Since you are coming from Jerusalem, you have probably heard about him. His death occurred on Friday last. It was a quite public event and caused quite a stir.
Jesus: Really? What happened?
Cleopas: Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?
Jesus: What things?
Cleopas: Concerning Jesus of Nazareth…
…a prophet mighty in word and deed before God and all the people…
…our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him…
…but we had hoped that he was the one who would redeem Israel…
…today is the third day since these things occurred…
…some of our women were at his tomb this morning. His body was gone and they said they saw a vision of angels who proclaimed that he was alive. Others went to the tomb and also found it empty, but they did not see Jesus’ body.
Jesus: O foolish ones and slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?
Narration:
Cleopas and his wife were shocked at the rebuke and taken aback. “What do you mean?” they inquired. The stranger responded similarly to the later sermons recorded in the book of Acts such as the sermon of Stephen who spoke of Moses who also suffered as the leader of Israel: (read Acts 7:35-39)
The Psalmist also described the suffering of the coming Messiah: read Psalm 22: 1-2, 6-8, 14-18;
At this point, the wife interrupts and asks that they begin walking so that they can arrive home before the sun sets.
Isaiah also foretells the coming suffering of Messiah: read Isaiah 53:2-10
And in many other scriptures the stranger showed them that Messiah had to suffer before he came to glory.
Cleopas: Oh, I see. I had always thought of the scriptures which tell of the coming kingdom, but I had never thought of the scriptures that speak of such suffering as applying to the Messiah. So, these events of the last week are no accident. The suffering of Jesus was God’s plan all along.
Jesus: Yes.
Cleopas: But, I still have one question.
Jesus: Yes?
Cleopas: I understand that Jesus had to suffer, but now he is dead. How can he reign as king while he is dead?
Wife: Well, here we are at home. Finally! Thank you for an interesting and enlightening conversation. It was a pleasure, but it has been a long day and I think we should go inside and take our rest now.
Jesus: Yes. Well, I shall be on my way then…
Cleopas: NO! I mean, no, you should come inside and spend some time with us. You must be weary as well. You could sit down and relax…and eat…and…we could talk some more.
Jesus: Why, thank you. That is very generous. I appreciate the offer, but I believe I will continue on…
Cleopas: NO! No! I insist. Come inside. Please.
Narration: The stranger entered in. The theological conversation was suspended while the feet of the visitor were washed followed by the hosts. Then the wife and husband began to prepare some food. After it was ready, they gathered at the table. All were seated. Then the stranger rose. He took the loaf of bread in his hand and he said “Father, I thank you for the life you have given me and these your children. Bless this food. Amen”.
The prayer took them back to that earlier day when Jesus had given thanks to the Father for the five loaves and two fishes, then he had blessed the food. They opened their eyes to look at him and, just as he had done on that day, he broke the loaf, extended his hands and handed it to them. But, this time, as he extended his hands, they reached and took the bread and the empty hands revealed fresh wounds like wounds of a nail having pierced his hands. Suddenly, their eyes were opened and they realized who he was. Before they could exclaim “Jesus!” he vanished!
All at once he walked beside me like he’d been there all along
Not a stranger, but a Father who can sense when something’s wrong
And he answered all my questions and he understood my fears
Which seemed to vanish now that he was near
I couldn’t bear for him to leave me so I begged him please to stay
Spend the evening, a few moments before he went his way
Then like a host he stood and blessed me, broke the bread and poured the wine
Then I knew there was something there I recognized
I can see who walks with me
I can hear who speaks my name
I can feel something stirring in my soul.
How his words still ring strong and true like a once familiar strain
And I know I’ll never be the same
I can see
And from that moment in time I felt the emptiness subside
And all the wonder of creation shining through
And for the first time in my life I really looked into his eyes and saw eternity and suddenly I knew
I can see!
Cleopas and wife: Jesus! He Is Alive!
Cleopas: Did not your heart burn within you while he talked with us on the way!
Wife: Yes, Yes!
Narrator: They rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. Their trip to Emmaus had been slow and deliberate. On their return to Jerusalem, donkeys and camels along the way were surprised to see that two-legged travel could be so brisk!
When they arrived in Jerusalem to share the news they discovered that they were not alone. Jesus had appeared to Peter and the remainder of the eleven were believing that Jesus was alive. The disciples listened to Cleopas’ story and they received the message gladly.
How Can We Know Jesus as Saviour, Today as They Did Then?
The Objective Reality: The tomb is empty!
The Spiritual Reality: Jesus opened to them the Scriptures to reveal the Father’s message about Jesus and the Holy Spirit illuminated their minds so that could receive it.
The Relational Reality: The truth was confirmed by others who had
also seen the empty tomb, had seen Jesus, and had come to understand the scriptures
1 comment:
Looking forward to hearing you preach again!! =)
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