The road to Emmaus (Luke 24)

… I'd like to ask you to turn to a familiar portion of Scripture, Luke 24. A few things I'd like to consider in this well-known portion, a lovely portion. The Word of God is pure and wonderful everywhere. Some spots seem more attractive than others. Luke 24, I'm not going to read all the verses at this moment that I want to refer to, but we will start with the 13th verse. Luke 24, verse 13. And one of them whose name was Cleophas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. And how the chief priests and the rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel. And beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre. When they found not his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre and found it even so as the women had said. But him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, or rather senseless and slow of heart, to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village whither they went, and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us for it is toward evening. And the day was far spent, and he went in to tarry with them. He came to fast, and as he sat at meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and break it and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them. We'll read other verses later on. What I have enjoyed for some time in this portion, not only what we've read, but what follows, is the thought of four spheres of the Christian life. First of all, we have these two walking along the way, perplexed, troubled. But it speaks out of the individual life, the individual walking, which should be with the Lord. Then, we see here, they invited him into their home, and he was there with them, and made himself known. That would suggest the home life, wouldn't it? I'm not going to give an exposition of this portion here, but to take opportunity for speaking of these several spheres, the home life. The first of all is the individual life, walking with the Lord. Then, having him in our home, and learning of himself. Then, the last verse we read here was, they went up to Jerusalem, where they found the eleven gathered together, which would suggest the assembly. Gathered together, and the Lord in the midst. Well, that's wonderful, but the Lord didn't stop there. He spoke of the commission, and he led them out to Bethany. The fourth sphere, I see here, is going out to the nations. And I think this order is wonderful. The individual life, the Lord walking with us. And as they said, he made their hearts burn. As he opened up the scriptures, walking by the way. They enjoyed his company so much, they didn't want him to stop there. They constrained him, that he would abide. Coming to their home. And there's that blessed sphere of the home life, the family, and all. Which can enlarge upon. And then they were found with the gathered company. The Lord appears in the midst. And gives them the commission. Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations. And leading them out. Now that's the line I'd like to follow here. First of all, we see these two. They were dear disciples. But they were perplexed by the things that were happening. That had happened. And they were sad. In our lives, many perplexing things come up. Things of sadness and troubles. And you notice. They use the word things. Don't you know that things which are come to pass. These days, of course, they were concerned about the blessed Lord Jesus. That had been crucified. And they said. I had the words there. We thought it was he who would redeem Israel. I believe it was stated. But he said, the Lord drew near. And very loud these words, Jesus himself drew near. And walked with them. Now we sometimes say, whether right or wrong. That these two were going the wrong way. They should have been going up there to Jerusalem. Well if that be so. The Lord went with them. In the wrong way. To put them in the right way. Because we find them up at Jerusalem. And that's lovely. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That he would walk with them. And it's only Luke. Of the four gospels that gives us this personal touch. This lovely touch. And he's interested now. He says, what manner of communications are these you have one to another. You walk and you stand. The blessed Lord Jesus knows everything. And is concerned about everything. And concerns us individually. Now we're only told one here named Cleophas. I'm among those who like to think the other was his wife. Right or wrong we're not told. But he went into their home. And their problems. But the lovely thing to see is here. When the Lord says, what are you talking about? They said, the things have come to pass. He said, what things? They said, concerning Jesus of Nazareth. That's lovely isn't it? Their concern was about him. And there are many things that come up and concern us individually. As to what will be the Lord's will for us. Or puzzling things. They're all taken care of by the Lord walking with them. Communion with himself. And having abided with me. And I think the starting point of place here is that. They, if they were perplexed. And if we say they were going the wrong way. They were occupied with the things concerning Jesus. And they said, he is a prophet. Almighty in deed and word before God and all the people. And the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified. So on they speak of it. A good one we're concerned about the Lord Jesus. Many things that occupy us. A reference was made to Martha today, this afternoon. And the Lord had to say, Martha thou art careful in trouble about many things. And we too. And our eyes. Many things trouble us. But he said, one thing is needful. To sit at the feet of the Lord Jesus. And so he speaks. Walking along with. Wonderful to walk with the Lord. Recently in meetings had something from Hebrews 11. And where we have Enoch. Characteristic thing about Enoch was he walked with God. And he had a good conscience. Testimony that he pleased God. And a very evil wicked day. So the Jew tells us he has to testify. Oh the Lord cometh with ten thousand and says to execute judgment. That's all the ungodliness. The word ungodliness is mentioned at least four times. But he walked with God. In a very evil day. Noah. Years later walked with God. And warned of coming judgment. Now the Lord teaches. Twenty-six. Twenty-five. Oh fools. It's interesting to study about the word fools. In the King James Bible. Take a Young's Concordance. And you'll find that there are many different words. All translated in this version. By the word fool. Mr. Darby used it correctly here. Senseless. Matthew says if you say to one's out fool. You've been engaged with hell fire. That's the meaning of a rebel. Calling one a rebel. Well the Lord truly didn't speak to his own as rebels. But they were just senseless. They didn't think. And he says slow to believe. Slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken. And so he gives here. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his gloom. Two great wonderful themes. Which Peter speaks of also. The sufferings of Christ. And the glory for Father. And that's for us too as disciples. It's the path of suffering. But it ends in the glory. There's the glory of discipleship. As well as the cost of discipleship. As we learn in Luke 9. And the beginning of Moses and all the prophets. He expounded of them and all the scriptures of things concerning themselves. My, would you have liked to have been there. And heard that. The blessed Lord going through the prophets. Beginning with Moses. And all the prophets. Expounding from the scriptures of things concerning themselves. That's what we need. And for blessing times. That's what these souls needed. We read the verse. That when their eyes were opened they knew him. They said. Did not our heart burn with him. While he talked with us by the way. And. Opened to us the scriptures. Many problems. Christ is the answer. The word of God. The complete word that we have. We have the New Testament now. We didn't have that then. Paul writing to Timothy says. That the man of God may be fully furnished. With all good works. Brother used to say. The word of God is like a big department store. You can get holy fitted up. Get everything. That you need. And that's what the word of God is. So we have to look. In the scriptures. For the things concerning himself. The figures and the types. Christ in the scriptures. Later on in the. Gathered. Company. Verse 44. He said. The things were written on the wall of Moses. And in the prophets. And in the Psalms. Concerning. Oh how wonderful the Psalms are. They're the hymn book of the Old Testament. The praise books. And these praise books. As well. So it tells us. In our individual walk. We must not neglect the scriptures. We don't have the blessed Lord here now. To do as he did. But we have the Holy Spirit. The one whom he has sent and given. The teacher. The illuminator. The author of the scriptures. Oh it reminds me of what Brother said. He was crossing the Atlantic. From Britain. To America. Or vice versa. He was from here originally. And he saw. One there reading the Bible. Quite a bit. So he went to him and he said. Sir you seem to be quite interested in that book. He said. Yes sir. I was acquainted with the author. The author of the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Spirit. Who dwells in us. And he's the illuminator. Well. So we have him. To open the scriptures to us. Give us understanding. And apply it. And so their hearts burned. A brother said one time. Sometimes you walk with the saints. And talk with the saints of God. You get a heartache. Of all the problems and troubles and so on. But you walk with the Lord. You get a heartburn. Warm heart. And that's what they need. Their hearts warm. Filled. So now. They constrain you. Say a Bible. Stay with us. And so he came into our home. The day is far spent. He made. As though he would go further. Perhaps we can say the Lord can do without us. But we can't do without him. We need him. And in our home. Our whole life. And so. He went in. To tarry with them. He sat with me. But an important sphere. Is the home. Marriage. The basis of the home. Is the first institution. In scripture. Divine institution. And we right well know it's being attacked. Today. Left and right. But well said. The home is the firework of the nation. Can't have proper assembly life. When we first have right home life. Home. And so I think the lesson here for us in our application is. How important to have the Lord. In our home. To invite him. To have our home. According to. His. Institution. And his regulation. How we need the book. The guidance in our home. The marriage life. As it were on the rocks. Today. In many places. And the troubles come among the leaders in the assembly as well. I've had sad news. In a letter this morning. One of our little assemblies in Wisconsin. Family. And there's a mother. In the little cabin. With daughters. Children coming. The husband. Coming sometimes. I met him there. Not breaking bread. They weren't sure if he was a Christian. Sad news. He committed suicide. That's all. There are many of these things that happen all over. How we need the Lord. In our homes. And to be given the place. As his. Lord. And then we'll get his blessing. He takes the place of the host. He took the bread. And blessed it. And broke it. And gave it to them. An ordinary meal. But they were entertained by the Lord. They didn't know. Then their eyes were opened. Perhaps. As he broke the bread. They saw. The nail marks in his hand. Were not total. But it was something. The work of God's spirit opened their eyes. In the home. How much they would have missed. If they hadn't constrained him. To come into their home. And how much we miss too. What blessing we get. Entertaining the Lord's people. Years ago. City of Brooklyn. I needed some little. Physical attention. I was told of a brother. At his office in a home. I knocked. Or rang the bell. Lady came to the door and I told her. Brother so and so sent me here. She said oh if you're one of the Lord's. Come on in. I never forgot that. That's such a lovely way you know. If you're one of the Lord's. Well come in. And the Lord's people. And the unsaved. Will be welcome too. To find a haven. There. Well. I say how much they would have missed. If they hadn't. Invited him in. And so they say now my. What a wonderful time we had. As he walked with us by the way. And opened to us the scripture. There are many open things in this chapter. Begins with the open tomb. And ends with the open heavens. He went up. We won't take those up tonight. Now. What is the result. Of their walking with the Lord. To their home. He with them. Opening up the scriptures. And then. His presence in their home. And in making himself known to them. What's the result. Why it says they rose up the same hour. And returned to Jerusalem. And found the eleven gathered together. By the use of vernacular expression. They hot footed it. Right up to Jerusalem. Same hour. And it was late. So if they were going the wrong way. The Lord. Moved them in the right way. To be with the gathered company. And how much they would have missed if they hadn't gone there. How much we miss. The Christian pathway. Opportunities. For the Lord to walk with us. Individually. That's where it begins. And then to have him in our home. To the Lord's people. And the scriptures read together. And if we're right in those spheres of health. We won't be absent. From the gathering center. The Lord had said where two or three are gathered together. Are gathered. There and I in the midst. And so we find. They return to Jerusalem. Found the eleven gathered together. Oh yes. What a privilege it is to gather together. Around the Lord Jesus Christ. And experience his presence. In our midst. And know that they had something to say. They had something to contribute. It is said the Lord has risen. And it appeared to Simon. Rather it seemed to me. That that's the word that was said in the assembly. The gathered assembly there. And then verse 35. And they told. What things were done in the way. And how he was known as then. In breaking the bread. Yes and we're walking with the Lord. Individually. Enjoying him in our home. When we come together. In the gathered assembly. We'll have something to contribute. Something to give. Verification of all. They had experience. The Lord with them. And now. Verse 36. As they thus spake. Jesus himself. Stood in the midst. Of them and said unto them. Peace. Be unto you. The Lord. Come. In the midst. Of his people. This is the beginning here. The word. It hasn't ceased. We still experience this blessedness. And we should. The Lord himself. Being in our midst. And he gives his greetings of peace. He made peace. By the blood of his cross. He would have us enjoy peace. My peace. I give unto you. And he would have us. Carrying the message of peace. While he's preaching peace. Through Jesus Christ. Who's Lord of all. Peter says. But they're frightened. Why are you troubled? So he says verse 39. Behold my hands and my feet. That as I myself. As even now. As we would gather together. To remember the Lord. And to show forth his death. He would show us his hands and his side. To be reminded of the price. He paid. For our redemption. To bring us into this place of blessedness. Where we have access. To the holiest of all. And given the privilege. Of being. A royal priesthood. A holy priesthood. Offering praise. Acceptable to God. By Jesus Christ. To show them. His hands and his feet. And of course he. Would alleviate all their fears. And even eat. Amongst them. Now he says. Verse 44. These are the words. Which I spake unto you. While I was yet with you. All things might be fulfilled. Written in the law of Moses. And the prophets. And the Psalms. Concerning me. Then opening their understanding. They might understand the scriptures. And said unto them. Thus it is written. Thus it behooved Christ. To suffer. And to rise from the dead. The third day. And. That repentance. And remission of sins. To be preached in his name. Among all nations. Beginning at Jerusalem. And he. Are witnesses. Of these things. That's where we end it this afternoon. In John 15. Witnesses. And so this. Brings us to the fourth sphere. Doesn't it? It's wonderful. To be privileged. To enjoy the Lord individually. And in our homes. And in the assembly. But what about those outside? The nations. Who have nothing. On the way to destruction. So he. He's leading them out. He says now. Repentance. And remission and forgiveness of sins. To be preached. In his name among all nations. Beginning at Jerusalem. Start at home. Go out to Samaria. The uttermost parts of the earth. And. We have the word. Here in verse 50. He led them out. Here of course it says. To Bethany. But I'd just like to take. Those words there. He led them out. He would lead us out too. I'm constrained to tell a little. Incident or story. That our beloved brother. E.C. Hadley whom you knew. He just had his home call. Recently. Just the day before we left. 15. Of September. Or. Taking home. After 50 years. Of faith work. And the gospel tract. Grace and truth tract service. Has gone on and greatly used. Well. A brother Hadley was a missionary. In the early days. In Africa. And. He went out with it. A gospel union. Didn't know anything about things. Gathered to the Lord's name. Tells us. He's told us. And he got acquainted. With brother. Gathered. To the Lord's name. Went to Switzerland. Remember the Lord there. In state. With brother ever since. Went back to Africa. He told. The brother. That he was with there. That he was resigning the mission. And. Gathering now. With things gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. So. Well this brother said. Well he said. The brethren. Are like some people. They come together. And have a wonderful box of jewels. And they open the box up. Take these jewels out. And join them. And they put them back. In the box. And they go home. Now if that's true of us. It's not so good. Thank the Lord it isn't. Always true. But sometimes. It could characterize us. That we satisfy with ourselves. Where we need to be reaching out. To others. And we see that here. While. They enjoy the Lord's presence in the gathered assembly. They must go out. I remember C.H. McIntosh. And those good papers on evangelism. He speaks of the joy. That he. Had in seeing the saints gathered together. To remember the Lord. And then after. The remembrance meeting. Arranging the chairs and getting the children in. And giving them the gospel. And reaching out. That's what it should be. The same Lord who said this too. In remembrance of me. He also said. Go ye. This too. And go ye. And it's blessed. Reach out. Whatever way. To those above us. And that's what we find here. The Lord. Saying now. You're witnesses. And you want to go out. To the nation. That's the force. Of the Christian life. Go out and bring them in. And said there. Well. We need to teach the truth. So the word of God. In the assembly. Rightly so. But if we don't go out. We may come to the place. We have no one to teach. They pass on. And so new life. Has to be coming in. Our families. And others. And it's so blessed. We are reaching out. And he says now. Send the promise of the Holy Spirit. Upon my father. To be endured. With power from on high. The coming of the Holy Spirit. So the Holy Spirit. Is the power. For service. And guidance. Well now looking at. Verse 15. He led them out. As far as to Bethany. Bethany is a wonderful place. That was that. Home that he often went to. Bethany. Mary. Martha. Lazarus. Many things we could say. Mary. Acknowledged him as the prophet. In Luke. Ten I believe it is. And she sat at his feet. I must hear his words. Then. I think in John 11. The time of their sorrow. Lazarus. They call for the Lord. Afterwards he comes. And he weeps with them. They learned him as the sympathizing high priest. Who could weep with those of him. In touch with him. They learned his sympathy. At Bethany. John 12. They made him a supper. Just before. The crucifixion. What a joy it must have been. For the Lord Jesus. Surrounded by the hatred of those Pharisees. And the chief priests. And leaders of the people. Wanted to murder him. Here he goes to Bethany. As one has said. The father had prepared. A wonderful ball of fire. For comfort. For his son at Bethany. And he is anointed. He is buried. Matthew speaks to him. Anointing his head. King. John anointing his feet. Son of God. Took place at Bethany. To find another time. In his rejection. Then at Bethany. And now here we have him. At Bethany. He goes to heaven. The glorified Christ. The ascended Lord. Goes up. From Bethany. As our blessed Lord would lead us out. Beyond the cross. And the tomb. And even the resurrection. To Christ in the glory. And he blessed him. He lifted up his hands. And blessed him. An old brother. In my younger days. Pointed out to us. That the gospel of Luke. Begins. With the priest. Coming out of the temple. Who should have blessed the people. But he was dumb. Because of unbelief. No blessing. For the people. And he said. The gospel of Luke. Ends. With the one that's the great. High priest. Going up together. Blessing the people. The blessings are coming. From the lay. Fierce hand. No blessing under the law. But all the blessings. From our. Redeemer. Our risen. And about to be exalted. Savior. He blessed them. And he was carried up into heaven. They worshiped him. And returned to Jerusalem. With great joy. This chapter begins. With perplexity. Problems. Their hearts were burned. Their tears were. Allayed. As he showed himself. Now he leads them out. And blesses them. And they go back to Jerusalem. With great joy. Joy. The peculiar part. Of the Christian. World seeks their happiness. Happiness can depend upon happiness. But joy. In the Holy Spirit. You know. J-O-Y. Jesus first. Others second. And you last. Or. Jesus. J for Jesus. And O for nothing. And Y for you. Jesus with nothing. In between. That's joy. But he gives us joy. We've had this afternoon. Fruit of the Spirit. Great joy. And they're continually in the temple. Praising and blessing God. The great high priest has gone up. Blessing the people. The priestly family. In the temple. Praising God. Well it's a little. From this lovely chapter. Of Luke. Jesus himself. In the individual sphere. In the family sphere. In the assembly sphere. And in the testimony. Going out to the nations. May the Lord give us. Enjoyment. Blessing. In spirit. …