Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
You have been following me for 50 years but now I am following you.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
Question:
In your disappointment, which direction are you traveling? Towards or away from God?
+ Click to add your own note
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.
They have been following Jesus and now he is following them!
+ Click to add your own note
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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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.
+ Click to add your own note
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 they did not see Jesus.”
+ Click to add your own note
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah 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.
+ Click to add your own note
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on 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.
Communion
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.
Small Group Questions
- Let’s talk about hope and expectancy! What are you most looking forward to as spring approaches?
- What is your normal spiritual response to sadness and disappointment? Where do you run to when life just hurts?
- Read the whole story of the Road to Emmaus out loud. What is Jesus saying to you about your dusty road encounters with Him? What lessons are being spoken into your life right now?
- Jesus blessed, broke and gave the bread to His disheartened followers. How does this picture change the way you look at Communion?
- How has God changed your direction through this story? Where is your spiritual destination as of right this moment?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?