EASTER IS A SPECIAL TIME OF REMBRANCE* A WALK TO EMMAUS, OR A RUN TO JERUSALEM

• For many today- Easter is a time of vacation, trip to mountains, fancy clothes, rabbit eggs-
• But the multitudes miss Jesus, and grumble, or follow only to Calvary, and have sadness
• Won't you listen to Jesus as you walk the Emmaus Road?

No matter why you came, be courteous enough to visit with a stranger; He might change your walk to a joyful run

I. A WALK OF SADNESS AND DESPAIR  Luke 24:13-25

Many people only see the gloomy, critical side of life- slow walk of despair and heartache

A. THEY TALKED TOGETHER OF ALL THESE THINGS WHICH HAD HAPPENED v.14  THEIR WORLD DESTROYED

• The dusty mountain trail toward the sea gave each personality a chance to show what was inside
• Maybe one remembered heartaches- from cradle to tomb- rejection, defection, betrayal, no faith
• Maybe other one- the joys- Worship of Kings, People healed, God spoke, lives changed- BUT NOW * COLLAPSE

B. JESUS DREW NEAR AND WENT WITH THEM v.15   AS THEY WALKED, THEY ACCEPTED A STRANGER

• When we talk about Jesus- He is always ready to walk with us- Matt 18:20 see for yourself
• "Why are you so sad?" -mid all the promises of God they lacked the faith to look through to God
• We have many problems today- but if we would just have a little walk with Jesus- what difference

C. THEY KNEW NOT JESUS v.17  IN THEIR LACK OF FAITH, THEY FAILED TO SEE THE HAND OF GOD

• They explained to the stranger what had happened - at least they talked - some today pout! No help then.
• Women say alive v.22,23 men couldn't find Him v.24  Who would believe the women? After Eve?
• They told of Jesus- Prophet mighty in deed v.19, how they had thought Him to be Messiah-21

They had hoped for so much, but their world had collapsed, hopes dashed, now heading home!

II. A WALK OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND HELP  Luke 24:25-31

Though they were discouraged, they obeyed common courtesy, & headed home- not insane-drunk, or-

A. "O FOOLS AND SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN" Luke 24:25

• Not quite this strong! Rather- thoughtless, weak of faith, dull of learning, not sharp to see
• Jesus challenged their faith - They had trusted their materialistic sight, missed FAITH
• We need to believe ALL that God has said- don't match wits with God, see with God's view

B. "OUGHT NOT CHRIST TO HAVE SUFFERED?" v. 26 THEY HAD MISUNDERSTOOD THE WORD, HE SETS RIGHT

• Isaiah described the suffering of Jesus- but they only saw what they wanted to in Isaiah
• They believed that Jesus was to come to deliver them from Roman tyranny- physical salvation
• Jesus asked them- should not the Messiah obey the prophecies - God's will, not man's plans

C. "HE EXPOUNDED UNTO THEM ALL THE SCRIPTURES THE THINGS CONCERNING HIMSELF" v.27 OPENED SCRIPTURES, EYES, HEARTS

• Opened scriptures- v.27 - showing them how scriptures applied to reality, not theories
• Opened hearts v.29 - they asked, constrained Jesus to abide with them- have YOU asked Him to?
• Opened their eyes v.31 - when He broke bread-(job of the Master) suddenly they KNEW Him!

If you will walk with Jesus a little way, He will change your viewpoint - Eternity

III. A WALK OF GLADNESS AND JOY  Luke 24:31-35

What a change - the 6 hour drag to Emmaus and probably a 3 hour race to Jerusalem (uphill)

A. THEY RECEIVED BURNING HEARTS v.32a  THEIR HEARTS TOLD THEM THINGS THEIR EYES DID NOT SEE

• Strange how our understanding is helped by a little time- not known at the time, but joy there
• Even a walk of discouragement and despair is Glory when Jesus is with us- see it later?
• The road of faith leads through mountain and valley- the Glory comes later

B. THEY RECEIVED BURNING SCRIPTURES v.32b  THE POWER OF THE WORD IS NOT ALWAYS APPARENT AT FIRST

• If the Bible is not alive and burning to you- walk with Jesus and it will be after awhile
• Some things may be hard to understand, not like men explain them, but keep going with Jesus
• No matter how many the disappointments & failures today- Remember that Jesus is in control 

C. THEY RECEIVED BURNING FEET AND BURNING LIPS v.33, 35 AND THEY DID NOT MIND THE EXTRA WORK

• Their feet drug downhill toward sea- but they ran back to Jerusalem; when weary, talk to Jesus
• The lips that came down to Prophet-v.19 now shouted "The LORD is Risen!" v.34
• If you doubt the reality of His resurrection- walk with Jesus awhile through scriptures and see.

Your sad walk of despair can be lifted if you will walk with Jesus- then comes meaning

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE THAT WALK WITH JESUS IF YOU NEED IT!

• If you think Him an absentee landlord of this house- come down  and meet Him -Let Him serve breakfast
• If you are discouraged, or cannot see His Glory- claim His promises, and obey- baptism, church membership
• If you have a hard walk ahead don't get discouraged be faithful & rejoice later.