Walking The Wrong Way

Luke 24:13-35

2^nd Sunday of Easter

A sermon preached at First UMC, De Queen on March 30, 2008 by Bro. David Hall

Ø Have you ever felt like you were drowning in pain, confusion, or overwhelming problems?

Ø Have you ever felt like you were in a sea of sorrow?

Ø Have you ever been overwhelmed with guilt or regret?

Ø Have you ever been confronted with news that you just couldn’t begin to digest or understand?

If you have experienced any of the things that I mentioned, you can begin to understand how the disciples felt after the Lord Jesus had been crucified.

Ø They were confused

Ø They were hurt

Ø They were disillusioned

Ø They were defeated

Ø They were guilt-ridden

Two of the disciples were walking the wrong way! They were so overwhelmed that they knew nothing else to do but go home and try to forget the happenings in Jerusalem.

Little did they know that their direction was going to be changed by Jesus Himself. They were in troubled times and Jesus did several things while they were on the road to Emmaus.

1. Jesus Listened (Vs. 13-24)
A) He walked with them – Wanted to know what had happened. They didn’t recognize Him.
B) He wanted to know why they were so sad and wanted them to talk to Him. He will listen.
C) He had answer to sorrow-He is always with us no matter what.

2. Jesus Rebuked (Vs. 25-26)
A) Jesus told them they were foolish and slow of heart to believe all the prophets spoke. They believes SOME but not ALL.
B) Many times we are selective believers. We don’t believe the whole Bible, just the parts we like or can agree with.

3. Jesus Instructed (Vs. 27)
A) Jesus went through the Old Testament explaining how all the scripture pointed to Jesus and the events that occurred—What a sermon!

4. Jesus Appeared (Vs. 28-35)
A) Jesus appeared as they ate then vanished. He made Himself known through the Word. They saw Him clearly.
B) God’s Word burns within us when we are receptive. Burns with Conviction, Comfort, Commitment, Joy.

C) After seeing Jesus, they immediately returned Jerusalem….Jesus had risen indeed!

What stated out as a walk in the wrong direction by these two disciples ended in a return to Jerusalem and the Cross. Their confusion, misunderstanding, and despair turned to Hope.

The road to Emmaus can also give us hope today. Jesus wants to listen to us. The Bible tells us to pour out our hearts to God. Jesus rebukes us when we are slow believers and He instructs us through His living word in the Bible. Just as Jesus wasn’t recognized on the road to Emmaus, we may not recognize that He is with us through all our trials and joys, but He is always there.

Jesus has conquered sin, death, and the grave, and because of this He walks with us daily, telling us to keep our eyes on Him and the Cross, and to live in victory! Because I am one of the many people who put Him on the cross, I choose to walk toward it and never forget the love shown to me on that hill called Calvary. To always know and remember I have victory in Jesus.

”I heard an old, old story. How a Savior came from Glory. How He gave His life on Calvary, To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning; Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.”

*Ruth Harms Calkin wrote: “ Lord, I’m drowning in a sea of perplexity. Waves of confusion crash over me. I’m too weak to shout for help. Either quiet the waves or lift me above them. It’s too late to learn to swim. Tell Me Again Lord—I Forgot.”