Rejoice: Peace to you! Luke 24:13-49

Can you describe a situation where something you witnessed, something you heard or saw, was too good be true, but it was true? I loved horses as a child. We had neighbours who were horse-mad and they allowed me to ride their horses, but I never had one of my own. My father was allergic to animal hair and so there was very little chance that I would ever own a horse. So, I was overwhelmed with excitement to finally have my father relent and get me one. I used to wake in the mornings and be in disbelief that this animal was mine…after so many years of petitioning. Yet there he was – Bindy, a little grey Anglo Arab.

Imagine after the events of Friday, the death of the Saviour on the cross, when it seemed all hope was lost and gone, to be greeted early on the Sunday morning with the Messiah very much alive.

Some women, including Mary Magdalene, had seen Him and had told others, but the rest of the disciples had not.

Sunday afternoon had come and 2 disciples were walking back from Jerusalem after hearing the testimony of Mary, Peter and others that they had seen Him. Then this encounter happened on the road as they walked back home to Emmaus: Jesus came near, but they did not recognize Him. Jesus initiated a conversation, "What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.” Sometimes we can be overwhelmed in our situation and be blinded to truth. They told Him, “"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?” Then, as we read, they told Him about Jesus - the very person they were talking to, about himself and that this was the third day: where was He? He told us He would be raised from the dead.

What did Jesus do? He used the scriptures – the Word of God, which is Him. That’s the best way to reveal who Jesus is. What a message this would have been that these guys, Cleopas and the other disciple, heard! It says, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

The Law of Moses. What’s the first prophecy? Genesis 3:15, then perhaps Numbers 24:15-19; Deuteronomy 18:15-19. A Prophet – fulfilled in Christ.

The Psalms (Psalm 16:9-11) Will the Lord forget the Messiah?  The Christ will rise. (Psalm 22:12-22) A risen Saviour after the crucifixion.

The Prophets. What about Isaiah 7:13-15; what about this child? (Isaiah 9:6,7, 11:1-5, 42:1-4, 50:4-9, 53:4-12) Gospel of the Old Testament. What of Jeremiah 23:5,6? Jesus may have spoken Jeremiah’s words. The Messiah is a King and He will rule: how shall he remain in the grave? (Ezekiel 37:21-28)

This Servant of David is the Messiah; He is a living king: a king forever. (Daniel 7:13,14) A kingdom will last forever. How can He remain in the grave?

Hosea 6:1,2 “On the third day we will rise up.” A prophesy about Christ and us. Perhaps Jesus said you have been low for a couple of days, but this is the third day. Did you not believe Mary Magdalene; did you not even believe the testimony of Peter who has seen Him? Did you not even believe Christ Himself who said He will give the sign of Jonah and be raised up on the third day? In Hosea’s words, this is the third day; you will be revived!

Amos 9:10-11 “Booth of David rebuilt.” Jesus said destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days; confirmed by Peter quoting this verse to the Jerusalem council. Christ is the tabernacle of David.

Micah 5:1-5 “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (verse 2) Our Lord’s crucifixion, but His reign shall be great to the ends of the earth. (Habakkuk 3:13) The salvation of the Lord’s Anointed from the head of the wicked Satan and laid bare the judgement from sin through Him. 

Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Redeemer will save. (verse 18) Even those like you 2 who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who think those who yelled crucify, crucify have won. What do the scriptures say? (verse 20) “At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes.”

Haggai 2:6-9 This Desire of All nations will restore His temple. Indeed, was He not quoted as saying He will rebuild in 3 days? Today is the Day. Haggai 2:9 “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.”

Finally, Zechariah 1:12 -16, 2:10-12, 3:8-10. About this Branch (6:12, 13), did this not happen to the Christ in Jerusalem? (9:9,10) Riding into Jerusalem on a colt. (Zechariah 12:10,11, 13:7)

The 2 disciples heard all of this. Their hearts burned within them – they urged Him to come and eat with them. Jesus did so. He broke bread. Then their eyes were opened as to who He was. Then he disappeared from their midst.

Too unbelievable – but true. They immediately left off retiring for the night but returned back to Jerusalem, just over 10kms back. They got into town and went to the 11 disciples, who were together, and started talking about Jesus: what they saw, what they heard. Our testimony has power. Talking about Jesus brings His return. What happened? Jesus reappeared again in the room and said, “"Peace to you!"

(Verses 37-49) startled, frightened, but also disbelieved for joy. Too unbelievable! This is why I asked if you’ve ever had such a momentous situation that you were overcome with joy. Perhaps not, but one day this joy will be ours. Jesus explained to the 11 the message he gave to the 2 guys on the road. (verse 44) “the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled”.

He said vs 48, “You are my witnesses of these things.” The testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophecy. We also are witnesses to Christ’s power in our lives. He has defeated sin, defeated death; He rose from the grave, He is coming again. Until then, He rules and reigns in heaven. We will also rule and reign with Him. This is the eternal joy for everyone who knows and accepts Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Whatever the best news you have heard in the past, the best thing that has happened to you, nothing is better than the reality and presence of Jesus. His message for us this Easter Sunday is Peace to you. The grave is empty – not only the grave of Jesus, but ours as well. We are already sons and daughters of the king. The Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you give you peace. Amen.