Luke 24:13-24

Luke 24:13-24 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 only a visitor to Jerusalem and do 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 him they did not see.”

The unbelievable had just happened: a resurrection. How could any two individuals anywhere understand this phenomenon? These two followers of Jesus were clearly disappointed in what had happened in the last few days. Jesus, their miracle-worker, had been put to death. Their hopes of deliverance from the hands of the Romans had been dashed. Just a week earlier they were expecting the redemption of Israel. They had such hope in Jesus just a week ago, greeting him with waving palms as He entered Jerusalem. How their hearts had burst with joy that day: for sure, the miracle-worker would restore abundant life to the Jews by pushing out the Romans. But sadly, these anticipated events did not happen. Instead, Christ died at the hands of their enemies. He was less powerful than his oppressors, a mere mortal, unable to bring deliverance and abundant life to the Israelites.

As these two journeyed that day, they expressed the feelings of a great number of Jesus' followers who were now very much disillusioned and perhaps even a little disappointed in Jesus. Their hopes of deliverance had gone to the grave. On top of their discouragement came the confusing news that Jesus' body had disappeared, a story that seemed like nonsense to them. Yes, the apostles had gone to the tomb and discovered the body was gone, but they did not see any angels there. How could they truly believe such a story from the women who went to the tomb? For these men, anticipated abundant life was gone, but in reality, abundant life was created that day. For all who placed their trust and faith in Jesus Christ would receive the same resurrection life that raised him from the grave. These greatly disappointed followers would soon meet the eternal Jesus, not a deliverer from the hated Romans, but LIFE ITSELF: ETERNAL LIFE. Jesus went to the grave as a sacrifice for the sins of the world; He rose from that grave as THE WAY to eternal life for all who would accept him as Lord. Now, all who are IN HIM by faith possess resurrected life in their souls: they shall never die.

Many times we confuse life's journey with eternal life. We confuse our desire for abundant life on earth with ABUNDANT LIFE FOR ETERNITY. Jesus is abundant life; He alone brings life eternal. He alone opens the door for the Holy Spirit to reside in us. Without him we have no lasting hope, even if our temporal life seems successful. We might win the world, live in a castle, enjoy the fame of having our name on everybody's lips; yet, if we do not have Jesus, we do not have ABUNDANT LIFE. Consider the vicissitudes of life, the sorrows of pain and loss, the deaths of the martyrs. Do these equate to abundant life? Yes, a thousand times yes, if we are IN CHRIST AND HE IS IN US. We often hold onto this life with such fervor that real life and real joy elude our grasp. When the two on the road realized Christ had walked along side of them, they became joyful, optimistic. Why? Everything changed because Jesus had been with them. We should be full of joy, for Jesus is with us. In his presence, everything else in existence dims and fades into the background. Will our lives be better? Yes, IN HIM OUR LIVES WILL BE BETTER, now and forever. Does this mean we won't have troubles and sorrows, face death? No, we experience life as it is, but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope; we are not defeated by trials or setbacks; we will not go to the grave as those who are lost and abandoned. Instead, as the Bible says, we are more than conquerors IN CHRIST who loved us, now and forever.