JESUS WALKS WITH US
Luke 24:13-35
2nd Sunday after Easter
April 23, 2017
Pastor Nathan J. Thompson
The picture is found in many homes and churches. It pictures two men in regular colored robes walking and talking with another man who is dressed in a white robe. They are walking on a windy dirt road with trees all around; it is obvious that these two men are asking many questions of this man; it appears he is explaining many important things to them.
For those of you who don’t know this Biblical story I am referring to this famous painting which is titled, “The Road to Emmaus.”
Picturing this day in our minds we remember that it was still Easter Sunday; these two men were traveling to the town of Emmaus (about seven miles from Jerusalem). Making their way down this road we can imagine how they must have been talking about and discussing the news of that day—the news that the tomb was empty (Jesus' body was no longer there); the news of the angels who proclaimed that Jesus was alive.
We can imagine that as they walked and talked that they were trying to figure it all out; trying to understand and make some sense out of this amazing (unbelievable) news. As they were struggling to find answers Jesus drew near and was walking with them. The surprising thing however is that their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
They walked and talked with Jesus yet were not able to see him. He was right in their midst yet they didn’t know who he was. He was so close they could touch him yet they had no idea that their resurrected Lord was right there by their side.
It is interesting that when Jesus joined them on their journey he acted like he didn’t know at all the events that had happened that day. However as these two men shared the day's news Jesus explained to them the reason why Christ had to suffer and die; he helped them to better understand what the Scriptures had to say about himself.
Then when they came to Emmaus they beckoned Jesus to stay with them for the night. When he sat down to eat; when Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it; then their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Then they knew that they had been walking and talking with their resurrected Savior; they then ran to tell the other disciples.
Reflecting today on this experience on the Road to Emmaus the good news (assurance) comes to us anew that Jesus is alive—that he has risen. This assurance is ours as we believe the witness of these first disciples who saw Jesus face to face; as we believe the witness of all those who have walked with Jesus in the years that have followed.
Therefore as we believe this message that Jesus is alive the assurance is that Jesus also walks with us each day. Jesus promised that he would never leave us or forsake us; that he would be with us until the end of time. Jesus through the Holy Spirit has promised to walk with us through everything we face. However the problem is that just like these two men many of us do not recognize him; we don’t know that he is there.
Lots of people today (perhaps even you) seem to go through life feeling that you are all alone; feeling that you need to carry your joys/burdens all by yourself. In the face of all the ups and downs of life you may feel at times that there is no way to go on. You may wonder from time to time if life is worth living; if you can actually endure the problems (pressures) of life.
Sometimes you may actually believe the words of that old song, “You’ve got to walk that lonesome valley; you’ve got to walk it by yourself. Oh nobody else can walk it for you; you’ve got to walk it by yourself.”
However the true message for you when you may feel this way is that Jesus is walking with you. He is there to rejoice with you when things go well; to help you when you feel helpless; to comfort you when you are filled with sorrow (frustration); to give you strength when you are weak.
Problem is however that just like the men on the road that day; you may often fail to recognize him. To miss seeing him you may then miss out on all the help (support) he can give.
How then does Jesus walk with you today? How is he present in your life? Some may say, “Oh I pray to him often but I usually do not feel anything. I know he is there yet I wish I could see him face to face. I wish that I could touch him; could discuss all these things with him.”
Truth is however that you often miss seeing Jesus simply because you are looking in the wrong places. You may be looking for some big spiritual experience; some ecstatic feeling to prove that he is there. However in doing this you miss the truth that Jesus has chosen to come to you not in some bazaar ways; rather he comes in some rather simple (down to earth) ways.
One of the ways Jesus comes (walks with) you is through his Holy Word. It is in the Bible that you hear God speak. It is in his Word that you understand God’s promises for you; that you find Jesus' words of love, comfort, help; as you face the problems (uncertainties) of life.
Reading (studying) the Bible you hear the voice of Christ himself; the love of Jesus comes alive for you and you know that he is walking with you. Yet the problem today is that some don’t take the time to read (study) God’s Word. Some do not know the promises (assurances) of Scripture; as a result they may fail to see (recognize) how Jesus is walking with them.
Another way Jesus walks with you (reveals himself to you) is through worship. His presence is seen (felt) as you join with others to sing praises to his name, as you hear the message of his love; as you join together in prayer. In worship your eyes are focused on how God is actively involved in this world; on how God is loving and personal; on how God walks with you each day as you live out your worship in everything you say/do.
The problem again is that some people fail to recognize Jesus because they fail to worship regularly; either that or they fail to ask the Holy Spirit to open their hearts so they can really listen; so they can truly understand what Jesus is saying. Jesus is walking with you yet you may be failing to recognize him in worship.
Another way Jesus walks with you is through Christ's Church; through fellow believers who walk with you in the name of Christ. However it is very easy to miss seeing Jesus in these people. It is easy to miss seeing Jesus in that person who prays for you; in those people who come to you in times of need; those who reach out to you in love and in the name of Jesus.
Jesus has chosen to come to you in and through his Church. That is why he calls you to love others as he has loved you. That is why he has called you to visit the sick; to pray for others; to comfort the dying (the grieving); to help the poor and needy. He calls you to be a “little Christ” to others so that they may see Jesus through you; may know he is also walking with them.
This is one of the reasons I am excited that Messiah has a very active and dynamic Stephen Ministry outreach in our congregation (community). We live in a time when the problems and pressures of this world are often very intense; there are lots of people who are hurting in many ways. It is wonderful we have these trained lay care givers along with many other lay ministers in this congregation; people who can reach out and help people know that Jesus is walking with them.
A final way Jesus walks with you is through the Lord’s Supper. In fact for the men on the Road to Emmaus it was when Jesus broke the bread that they recognized him. It was in this meal that they realized that Jesus had been walking with them all along. It was then that they understood the words he had spoken; when they knew for sure he was alive.
In the same way as Jesus regularly breaks bread with you; as he gives you his body and blood in the bread and wine; your eyes too should be open. Jesus proclaims, “This is my body; this is my blood; given and shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.”
The message is that Jesus died and rose again for you. You can touch; taste; feel his presence. He is there to completely surround you with his arms of love.
Jesus walks with you each and every day. He walks with you in your valleys as well as your joys. May you recognize him today as he comes in his Biblical Word of truth; as we worship and praise his name; in the love and care of each other centered in Christ.
Then like the two men on the Road to Emmaus—may you run to tell others about Jesus. May you share the good news each day that just as Jesus walks with you; he is there to also walk with them. Remember: Jesus promises that he will never leave you (forsake you); he will be with you until the end of time.