Easter Sunday 2024

Teaching text

Luke 24:13-35

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Sermon recap

This Easter Sunday, Pastor Jon taught about how we come to believe in the resurrection from the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus from Luke 24. Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is a key belief for salvation, and the Apostle Paul goes so far as to say that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our faith is useless and futile. Pastor Jon laid out the three things it takes to believe in Jesus’ resurrection: evaluating the historical facts, gaining a theological understanding, and having a personal encounter with the person of Christ.

There is a psychological honesty in the conversation the disciples have with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They don’t try to hide their disappointment or disillusionment from the unrecognizable Jesus, but explain that the man they believed to be the Messiah has just died, taking their hopes of redemption for Israel with Him. We cannot live without hope, and oftentimes, whenever we lose hope we will go back to the last place we had it. The disciples are returning to Emmaus because it was the last place the Israelites experienced freedom and temporary restoration under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus in the Maccabean Rebellion. Jesus shows up to interrupt them with a new and better hope to believe in, and that same surprising hope is offered to us.

First, we have to acknowledge and access the historical realities of the resurrection. There are countless alternative theories on what happened to Jesus’ body, from faking death to secret twin brothers to a mass hallucination, but none of these really hold up. Additionally, Jesus did not return and go overthrow Rome, but appeared to women, met with His grieving friends, and shared meals with people. This is not the path of triumph human minds would craft to convince people someone rose from the dead. However, this story of resurrection has gone on to shape the last two thousand years of human history in the most profound way. Ten of Jesus’ disciples went on to be martyred for their beliefs, the Roman Empire was brought to its knees by the Early Church, countless colleges, hospitals, and orphanages were founded in the name of Jesus, the eradication of slavery in the British Empire and so many other great moves of humanitarian effort came from groups of people who believed in a resurrected Savior.

Second, we need a theological understanding of Jesus as the Messiah. As He walks with these disciples, Jesus takes the time to unpack the Scriptures and prophets and reveal how they are all fulfilled in Him. He explains the need for the Messiah to suffer, and for the debt of sin to be paid through Him, before He could be glorified. When we consider the whole of the Scriptures, we find that everything comes together in who Jesus was, how He lived, how He died, and how He was always going to rise again.

Finally, we need a personal encounter with Jesus to believe in His resurrection. After He opened the Scriptures, the disciples urged Jesus to stay with them. Then, as they broke bread together, their eyes were opened to recognize Him. Jesus does not reveal Himself in the Bible study, but at the table. There have been people all throughout history who have nominally known about Jesus, but did not believe in Him until He revealed Himself in a way that met their deepest longings. Believing the resurrection is not solely about wrapping your mind doctrine, but about meeting with a person.

How something happens says a lot about what is being communicated. In this story, we see God’s heart as Jesus walks with those who are walking away from Him through their doubt and questions, the vision He offers us of having hearts that burn for Him, and the invitation to true communion with the risen Lord. This is the available reality of the resurrection, Christ stands at the door and knocks, and whoever hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and be with them, and they with Him forever.

Discussion questions

Connect

1. What is your favorite Easter tradition, or what was your favorite part about Easter this year?

Character

Ask someone to read Luke 24:13-35 aloud. Then, ask the following questions:

1. What words, phrases, or images in this passage stood out to you?

2. What do you learn about Jesus’ concerns in this passage?

Consider

1. In what ways does understanding the theological significance of Christ’s resurrection deepen your own faith? How do you think we can encourage our friends who might struggle with the historical truth of the resurrection?

2. Pastor Jon explained that Jesus is actively walking with the people who are walking away from Him, and does not abandon us. Discuss the significance of Jesus walking with those who are walking away from Him. Has He ever done this for you?

3. Pastor Jon also mentioned that “the point” of believing in Christ’s resurrection is to lead us to true communion. How have you experienced the impact of communion and community in your personal life, specifically living in New York City?

Cover

Take a moment to consider the times when you’ve placed your hope in worldly solutions or figures, only to find disappointment. Then, pray together, asking the Lord to open your eyes to the countless blessings He provides through the resurrection of Jesus. Pray also for the salvation of the lost in New York who are currently placing hope in figures of this world. Pray they would have a personal encounter with Jesus, that the volume of Christ knocking on their door would increase, and that they would be saved.