You Are Not Alone

Rev Gideon Lee

Luke 24:13-35

On the Road to Emmaus

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.

17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 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?”

19 “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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. 29 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.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

These two followers of Jesus have witness the crucifixion and was on the way back. Jesus walked along with them but they did not recognise him. They were discussing on what had happened the week before. And they talked about how Jesus was given to the rulers and was crucified and how the women couldn't find Jesus's body. 

Jesus asked why are they so slow in believing scriptures, concerning prophecies about Jesus, his death and resurrection. 

How many of you know this person name Karl Barth? He was a famous theologian. He resided in Basil, Switzerland. He was in a streetcar and a couple of tourist sat beside him and he asked if they are there for the first time. So he asked what they wanted to see and what was in their heart. And they said they were hoping to meet Karl Barth. And he said he know the person. And he said he was the one who shaved him every morning. When the tourist got down, they were so excited they met Karl Barth's barber. 

Can you imagine you are with a famous person and you didn't even know that. That's what happened to these two men. They didn't know it was Jesus. They said they thought he was going to be the saviour of Israel. They sounded downcast and a little disappointed. Like some of the disciples who went back to their occupation, like fishing. 

Sometimes in our disappointment it can cloud us and we fail to realise who is with us. Just like Mary when she was so consumed in grief she mistaken Jesus for a gardener. If it can happen to Mary it can happen to us. 

We can sometimes be so consumed by our grief that we fail to see Jesus. We need to put on the glasses of faith. Don't let temporary disappointments blind you to the good that God is doing in your life. We can get so caught up with the defeat in our life that we fail to see something amazing that God is doing in our lives. 

They were kept from recognising Jesus and they were so downcast. Jesus ask why they are so slow to trust or believe in the scriptures. And Jesus began to tell them the prophecies concerning himself. The bible is like a pair of glasses. 

It is not an encyclopaedia of all the answers we seek. It may give you a glimpse of the answers but often we cannot find all the answers. Like the other day in the young adult cells they asked about creation and how it lines up with science. 

Understanding is not the key to life. Faith is. Trust in God is. The bible assures us of what the future holds. The one that holds the future will not fail us. The world says I believe what I see but the bible tells us that blessed are those that believe but have not seen. 

Jesus appeared to all his believers. You have to believe to see and not just see to believe. Believe in the one that holds your tomorrow. Those that believed saw him. We need to have faith to see. 

How did Jesus revealed himself? When he broke bread and gave thanks. A light bulb just light up and they realised it's Jesus. They recognised their master immediately. 

Sometimes we just have to come to a point where we realise God is with us. 

How many of you have been to Disneyland? In Disneyland they added what they call hidden Mickeys. It's three circles placed in a specific manner. If you did not look carefully you will miss the hidden Mickey. 

God is like a hidden Mickey. If you know where to look you will find him everywhere. It's just that we do not realise it. While I was worshipping this morning, I am reminded by God "do not waiver". Fix your eyes on God. 

When Peter got out of the boat he was doing fine for the first few steps. He was able to do it as he was trusting in God. He is the one other man apart from Jesus to have walked on water. It was until he saw the waves then he began to sink. 

Sometimes in our life we see the wave and started sinking. Jesus calls Peter a man of little faith. Even in that situation God didn't let him drown. Jesus immediately reached out and grab him. He must be nearby and at arms length. God is there in the picture. He is the hidden Mickey that you need to look for. 

This morning may I encourage you as you take that step of faith to know that you don't have to go back to Emmaus but go to Jerusalem. There he appeared to those who believe. 

Do you need God in your situation? I want to end with this story. 

As these two was going back Jesus asked them what happened the week before. Sometimes as we come to church we need to ask what has happened the past week. As you recount the week before, you may have some difficulties, know that God is with you. Just as they broke bread, they realised it was Jesus. If you know how to look out for him he is there. Don't look at your disappointments and say it's bad. See that God is with you in your disappointments. 

When the native Indians' boys grow up to be a man, he has to spend a night alone in the forest. That is his rite of passage. There are bears and wolves in the forest that can make a meal of a 12 year old boy. The father will bring the boy to the forest. Unknown to the son, the father makes a u-turn and hide from view to protect the boy, fully armed. The next morning the father will come and the boy will think that he has spent the night on his own. That is like our Heavenly Father. He will not let any harm come to us. He is ready to protect us from every harm. 

Let's now get ready for the Lord's table.