THE SAYINGS OF THE CRUCIFIXION (28)

 

Two on the Road to Emmaus

Mark 16:12-13; Luke 24:13-35

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    In our study entitled, “The Sayings of the Crucifixion,” we are now focused on a series of three lessons that happened after Jesus was raised from the dead.

1.        Marks account mentions all of them, but two of them he just barely discuses.

2.       John’s gospel reveals to us in detail Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene.  We discussed it in our last lesson.

3.       In this lesson, we will turn to Luke’s gospel, Luke 24:13-35, and we will learn more about another appearance of the Christ.

 

B.      The title of our lesson is:  “The Sayings of the Crucifixion.”  The subtitle for our lesson this morning is:  “Two on the Road to Emmaus” (Luke 24:13-35).

 

I.             A TRIP TO EMMAUS (Luke 24:13-14)

 

A.    The disciples (v. 13a)

 

And, behold, two of them went…

 

1.        Not much is revealed in this verse about these men.

2.       We know they were disciples because of what they say in verse 21.  “Because we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.

3.       These men were not apostles.

a.       One of them is named in verse 18.  “And one of them, whose name was Cleopas…”

b.      In verse 33, we find that they returned to Jerusalem, “and found the eleven.”

 

B.      The destination (v. 13b)

 

…went that same day to a village called Emmaus…

 

1.        The exact location of Emmaus is debated.

2.       It is assumed by some to be northwest of Jerusalem.

3.       The name “Emmaus” means “warm or hot spring.”

 

 

4.       The purpose of this trip is not revealed to us.

 

C.     The distance (v. 13c)

 

…which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

 

1.        A furlong is approximately 1/8^th of a mile.

2.       Emmaus was 60 furlongs from Jerusalem, a distance of about 7-1/2 miles.

3.       Because of the elevation and the types of roads that had to be walked, it would take about 3 hours to make the trip.

 

D.    The dialogue (v. 14)

 

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

 

1.        They had a lot to talk about as they went on their journey.

2.       The rejection of the Christ by the religious leaders

The trial of Jesus

The crucifixion of Jesus

The empty tomb

The announcement made by Mary Magdalene

3.       A long walk can pass quickly when two individuals are engaged in an interesting and deep discussion.  (NOTE:  Verse 15 tells us that they “reasoned” together.  The word “reasoned” means “to investigate, examine, dispute, question”).

 

II.           A TALK WITH A STRANGER (Luke 24:15-27)

 

A.    The day-tripper (vs. 15-16)

1.        The encounter (v. 15)

 

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

 

a.       Jesus had left the area of Joseph’s tomb and was now on the road that led to Emmaus.

b.      He encounters these two men and joins them as they walk along.

c.       We call Him a “day-tripper” here.  We will show the reason for this in a few minutes.

2.       Enclosed eyes (v. 16)

 

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

 

a.       This is a difficult text to really understand.

b.      The word “holden” means “to be seized or restrained.” 

c.       Mark’s gospel tells us that Jesus appeared unto them in “another form.”

d.      What does all of this mean?

1)       Some say that there was nothing supernatural about any of this.

2)      This student tends to disagree. 

3)      Somehow the appearance of Jesus and the eyes of these men were restrained so they could not recognize the Christ immediately.

 

B.      The discourse (vs. 17-24).

1.        The entreaty (v. 17)

 

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

 

a.       Jesus questioned their expression of words.

1)       They were going back and forth in their conversation.

2)      Their speech was filled with energy.

b.      Jesus questioned their emotion of sadness.

1)       He could have seen their manner of walk.

2)      He could have seen their facial expressions.

3)      He could have heard the tone of their words.

2.       The enquiry (v. 18-19a)

 

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast thou not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

 

a.       This is the only time that we read about Cleopas in the Bible. 

b.      Thayer says that his name means:  “of a renown father.”

c.       He is surprised by Jesus’ words, especially questioning their being sad.

d.      He, therefore, assumed Jesus to be a stranger.

1)       The Jews had gathered in Jerusalem for Passover.  They all knew about what had happened to Jesus.

2)      Only a stranger just entering into Jerusalem would have been ignorant of the events of the last three days.  (NOTE:  This is why we referred to Jesus as a “day-tripper” in a previous section.  He appeared to be from another place to Cleopas).

e.       Jesus still did not manifest Himself to them.  Instead, he simply asked:  “What things?”

3.       The explanation (19b-24)

a.       The man Jesus (v. 19b)

 

…And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

 

b.      The murder by the rulers (v. 20)

 

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have him crucified.

 

c.       The mindset of the followers (v. 21)

1)       Deliverer

 

But we trusted that it had been he which should be redeemed Israel…

 

2)      Day three

 

…and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

 

d.      The message of the women (v. 22-23)

 

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher; 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.

 

e.       The men bring confirmation (v. 24)

 

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said:  but him they saw not.

 

C.     The Dissemination (vs. 25-27)

1.        The exhortation (vs. 25-26)

a.       The Master gives a rebuke (v. 25)

 

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart…

 

1)       Dense:  the word “fools” is not used in a sinful sense, but in the sense these men were unintelligent

2)      Dull:  dull is the meaning of the word “slow.”  They were slow to apprehend, and certainly, very slow to believe.

b.      The Master gives a reminder (v. 26)

 

…to believe all that the prophets had spoken:  ought not the Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

 

1)       Jesus pointed these men to the prophets of the Old Testament.

2)      These things should not have surprised or concerned any one of Jesus’ followers if they truly understood them and believed them.

3)      They would have accepted His crucifixion and they would have anticipated His resurrection. 

2.       The exposition (v. 28)

 

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

 

a.       What a powerful lesson that must have been.

b.      Jesus had several hours to set before them a multitude of OT prophecies and their explanation to these men.

1)       Which passages did He use?

2)      Into how much depth did He go as he explained the texts?

c.       I would have loved to have had that lesson in print.  It was definitely a masterpiece.

d.      NOTE:  Even now, they still do not know who He is.

 

III.         THE TABLE OF DISCLOSURE (Luke 24:28-32)

 

A.    The Departure (v. 28)

 

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went:  and he made as though he would have gone further.

 

1.        Jesus and the two disciples reach the village of Emmaus.

2.       This was not Jesus’ final destination.  He was going to go further up the road.

 

B.      The Demand (v. 29)

 

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; for it is toward the evening, and the day is far spent.  And he went in to tarry with them.

 

1.        They constrained Jesus to stay with them.

a.       To compel

b.      To contain one by entreaty

2.       One of their arguments was that it was beginning to get late in the day. 

a.       The next town may have been a few hours up the road.

b.      It was not safe to travel at night, especially traveling alone.

c.       In the first century, it was a delight to afford others hospitality.

3.       Jesus heeded their desires and tarried with them.

 

C.     The Dinner (v. 30)

 

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave to them.

 

1.        These men enjoyed a common meal together.

2.       Jesus took the lead in blessing the bread and distributing it to them.

3.       Blessed:

a.       Strong (2127):  to thank, invoke a benediction upon

b.      Thayer:  to consecrate with solemn prayer, to ask God’s blessing upon a thing

 

D.    The Disclosure (v. 31a)

 

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him…

 

1.        Somehow the veil was lifted from their eyes and they saw the Christ.

2.       NOTE:  Now they were honestly eyewitnesses of the resurrected Lord.

3.       Can you imagine the surprise and the joy they must have felt as they came to understand this is Jesus?  He is not dead.  He is risen!

 

E.      The Departure (v. 31b)

 

…and he vanished out of their sight.

 

1.        Both Barnes and Clarke believe that while these men marveled that this was Jesus, He slipped quietly out of their midst.  They do not believe anything miraculous occurred.

2.       Vanished:

a.       Strong (855):  not manifested, invisible

b.      Thayer:  taken out of sight invisible

c.       Vincent translates the verse as:   “he, invisible, became away from them.”

d.      Vincent also comments:  “It is not simply, he suddenly departed from them, but he passed away from them invisibly” (e-sword).

 

F.      The Deliberation (v. 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?

 

1.        They did not seek after Him.  This also indicates that He vanished from their presence.

2.       They, however, began to reflect on their conversation with Him in the way.  They said their hearts burned within them as He spoke with them.

3.       Again, we are impressed with the teaching of Jesus.  Oh what a blessing it would have been to have been able to have heard Him at any time.

a.       He taught as one having authority and not as the Scribes (Matt. 7:28-29).

b.      People wondered at His gracious words (Luke 4:22)

c.       Never man taught like this man (John 7:46).

 

IV.        THE TESTIMONY TO THE ELEVEN (Luke 24:33-34)

 

A.    The Decree (v. 33)

 

And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

 

1.        Remember, evening was drawing nigh.  It may have been dark at this time.

2.       They now make a three hour trip back to Jerusalem.

3.       When they found the eleven

a.       The word “eleven” now stood for the unit of the apostles whether they were all present or not.

b.      It appears that one was not with them at this time.

4.       These two men had a message for the disciples. 

a.       “The Lord is risen indeed.”

b.      They were eyewitnesses.

c.       The word “indeed” means “really” and “truly.”

5.       They also tell the group that Jesus had appeared unto Simon.

a.       None of the gospel writers record this appearance.

b.      Paul mentions it in I Corinthians 15:5.

c.       Note:  Since this is said of the men about Peter, we infer he was not there.  Had he been there on this occasion, he would have told them himself.

 

B.      The Discussion (v. 35)

 

And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

 

1.        It would have been interesting to have heard this discussion.

2.       What were the key points they told the disciples about the exposition Jesus gave them regarding the Old Testament Scriptures?

3.       What did they reveal about their feelings and the words they expressed as they came to realize they were in the presence of their Savior?

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Jesus had been seen by Mary Magdalene, but the disciples did not believe her.

 

B.      Now He had also been seen by the two men who had travelled to the Emmaus.  Surely, they would believe them.  NOTE:  The witnesses were now more than one.  At the mouth of two or three witnesses the message should have been confirmed.

 

C.     Mark 16:13

 

And they went and told it unto the residue:  neither believed they them.

 

1.        Jesus was right about the foolishness and slowness of the disciples.

2.       Can you imagine the frustration of these men after they had announced the risen Christ?

3.       We wonder if they separated themselves and went into a deep discussion with Mary Magdalene about the resurrection.

 

D.    How much more proof would these men need?  Would Simon finally come into their presence and convince them that Jesus was alive and well?