October 19, 2010
Central Truth
God has given us more than enough solid ground to stand on to proclaim the gospel boldly.
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them all the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Luke 24:27)
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles 1 24:13 Greek sixty stadia; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Is it wrong to have a favorite book of the Gospels? If so, my bad, because I l-o-v-e me some Luke. I know we’re finishing up this book, and it’s a little late in the game to gush over how great it is. So I'll spare you. But just know that I was pretty dang excited when I got my Journey assignment for this year.
This passage in particular is so interesting to me for two reasons: 1) Some skeptics say that the tomb was empty because Jesus hadn't really died on the cross, but I'm going to go ahead and guess that a man who had been recently tortured and nailed to two huge pieces of lumber wouldn't be up for a SEVEN-MILE stroll with two of his homeboys just after a couple days of R&R; and 2) (and more importantly) Jesus—God, whose very words become Scripture—chooses to use Scripture in explaining His own death and resurrection.
What a lesson this is for me. How often do I answer someone's questions about my faith, what I believe, or who the Lord is with my own opinions? How much "Sarah" is dripping all over my responses, and how little Scripture? Jesus explained to these disciples why His death, resurrection, and everything else that had happened to Him was absolutely true because of what Scripture foretold.
And while this is very convicting for me, it also makes me so thankful for what an incredible provision the Bible is. I forget so often how completely sustaining God's Word is. It provides us with historical accounts of what He has done. It provides us with reliable testimonies about the life of Christ. It provides us with the evidence we need to be firm in our knowledge that Jesus was and is the Messiah. It provides us direction in every single aspect of our lives. It is the avenue to intimacy with the Lord. It is comprehensive. It is complete. And it is perfect. Thank you, Lord, for such a gift!
1. Spend some time meditating on what a gift God's Word is and how it has impacted your life.
2. How often do you seriously delve into and drink deeply of Scripture?
3. How prepared do you feel to give an account of Jesus' life and why He is clearly and undoubtedly the one and only Messiah because of what Scripture foretold?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why didn’t the men walking to Emmaus recognize Jesus?
2. Why did Jesus call them foolish?
3. Read Isaiah 53 and talk about how these words from the prophet Isaiah predicted Jesus’ death.