Journey To Emmaus
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | November 12, 2023
Open your Bibles to Luke 24:13-31. Today’s message, “What Does Jesus Teach Us In The Journey To Emmaus,” is a bit longer read, but it’s worth it. The text says: “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus… Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden… He said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart… And their eyes were opened, and they knew him…” Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this Lord’s Day and our veterans. Forgive my slip earlier—I’d never slight them intentionally. Help me preach through tears, and save souls today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
This follows Christ’s resurrection, ushering in the New Testament era (Hebrews 9:16-17). The Saturday Sabbath of creation is replaced by Sunday, celebrating finished redemption. Two disciples, Cleopas and likely his wife, walk seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, discouraged after the crucifixion. Jesus joins them, unrecognized, teaching us three lessons.
God’s People Can Become Discouraged
The text shows Cleopas and his companion sad, saying, “We trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel.” They’d hoped Jesus would overthrow Rome, but His death dashed their dreams. Even hearing of the empty tomb, they were skeptical—“but him they saw not.” God’s people, even those who’ve seen miracles or heard great preaching, can get discouraged when life doesn’t meet expectations.
I’ve been there—asking “why” a thousand times. Like Israel’s spies in Numbers 13, ten saw giants and discouraged the rest, while Joshua and Caleb trusted God. Discouragement is human—I don’t like change either—but Jesus calls them “fools, and slow of heart,” pointing to facts they missed: Christ had to suffer (Isaiah 53). We don’t have to stay downhearted; faith and prayer can lift us.
Christ’s Presence Can Be Unrecognized
Remarkably, “Jesus himself drew near… but their eyes were holden.” They walked and talked with Him, yet didn’t know Him. Why? Discouragement blinded them. Job 23:8-9 says, “I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him.” Sometimes God hides, as Isaiah 45:15 notes: “Thou art a God that hidest thyself.” He tests us, disciplines sin (Deuteronomy 31:17), or refines faith (1 Peter 1:7).
When you can’t find God—forward, backward, left, or right—it’s a trial. Job said, “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” God’s with us, even when unseen (Hebrews 13:5). I’ve felt this; you may too. Keep believing—He’s there, shaping us.
Persistence Brings Vision and Victory
Finally, “they constrained him, saying, Abide with us… and their eyes were opened.” Jesus acted like He’d move on, but they insisted He stay. At supper, He broke bread, and they recognized Him—then He vanished. Persistence paid off. Quitters are common, but persistent Christians are rare. Jacob wrestled the angel, saying, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26), and God blessed him.
I’ve faced tough times—wanting to quit—but kept going. What does it take to make you quit? The measure of a person isn’t success, but what it takes to stop them. Like teaching my boys to ride bikes, God sometimes steps back. Fall, get up, persist. Cleopas and his wife did, and saw Jesus. Will you be a dime-a-dozen quitter or a rare, persistent saint who finds victory?
