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The Emmaus Road - Part 4

How much proof do you need?

Luke 24v36-49

22nd April 2016

On the afternoon of the day Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to two travellers on the road to Emmaus. He engaged them in conversation and taught them about Himself, explaining why it had been necessary for Him to die and rise again. They invited him in to eat with them, and He broke bread. Then they realised who He was. They knew that they were speaking to the risen Jesus Christ.

They rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the other believers. But when they arrived, the church told them they already knew Jesus was alive again, because He'd appeared to Peter that day. Then the travellers told their story. All of the people present in that gathering of the Lord's people must have been filled with amazement and wonder. But something yet more wonderful was about to happen:

Luke 24v36
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

The first thing the resurrected Jesus said to His followers was "Peace be with you". He knew the Christians still didn't really understand. He knew that even when they got what they most wanted - for Jesus to be alive and with them again - they'd still be frightened. All that had happened in the last three days had been bewildering to them. And fear and bewilderment can take control of us, and make it difficult to think straight.

Luke 24v37-40
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.

They'd just told each other they'd had proof that Jesus was alive, yet when they saw Him, they thought they were seeing a ghost. Rather than criticise their lack of understanding and faith, Jesus spoke out of compassion and gave them His peace. Then He said "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?"

This wasn't an enquiry; it was a rhetorical question. He was saying that they could trust Him, and they could trust the evidence that was in front of their eyes. It was truly Him!

He said, "Look at my hands and my feet" and they did. He said, "Touch me and see" and they did. Jesus is so patient with us when we find it difficult to believe in miracles, but He does want us to understand that nothing is impossible with God. And He does want us to understand and know that He is alive!

Some things seem too wonderful to be true. Was Jesus really alive? - Yes! If we repent of our sins and believe in His redeeming sacrifice will all our sins be forgiven? - Yes! Will we receive the Holy Spirit? - Yes! Will we live for ever in His presence? - Yes!

But they still weren't sure, so Jesus gave them another proof:

Luke 24v41-43
And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a bodily resurrection. And our resurrection with be a bodily resurrection, too.

Luke 24v44-49
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
He told them, "This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from he dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

Now they knew! Now they understood!

Soon they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. And then they were to go into all the world and tell people about the Christ who died for us, and then rose from the dead. And they did.

And we are His followers, just as they were. And we, too, are called to preach repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Are you ready to go? How much proof do you need?