Scripture Reading: Luke 24:28-34
Mr. Hooper Dilemma on Sesame Street
https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_1839
Sigmund Freud famously said: “And finally there is the painful riddle of death, for which no remedy at all has yet been found, nor probably will ever be!”
https://www.independent.org/publications/article.asp?id=1668
- WELCOME: Happy Easter week after and welcome to Central Church of Christ, a people called out by God to Show His Love, Tell His Story, and Be His Family. Today we continue a brand new message series from the Bible called, “Celebrate Jesus.” In this series we will walk each Sunday from Easter (Apr 4) to Pentecost (May 23) through an exciting Bible timeline of the appearances of Jesus to the church.
- Now here we have 2 men walking from Jerusalem to their home town of Emmaus. Distance of 12 km
From Jerusalem to Emmaus, which is described as being 60 stadia (10.4 to 12 km depending on what definition of stadion is used) from Jerusalem.
And when Mary Magdalene stood by the empty tomb (not knowing she was talking to angels) it says that the angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
And she replies “They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have put him.” John 20:13
Saddest Verse “… we had hoped (repeat that) that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel…” Luke 24:21
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him – if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
(I Corinthians 15:12b-20)
“…what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that HE APPEARED
- to Peter,
- and then to the Twelve.
- After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
- Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
- and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
(I Corinthians 15:3-8)
Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us “since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death – that is, the Devil – and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the FEAR OF DEATH.” (HCSB)
A poet named Calvin Miller once wrote this poem:
“I once scorned ev’ry fearful thought of death, when it was but the end of pulse and breath,
But now my eyes have seen that – past the pain – there is a world that’s waiting to be claimed.
Earthmaker, Holy, let me now depart, for living’s such a temporary art,
And dying is but getting dressed for God, our graves are merely doorways cut in sod.”
“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15-16
People Struggling with Death
- 1st – He listened to them.
- Next, Jesus reminded them of the promises from Scripture.
“… beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:27
- Lastly, He gave them something physical to hang their faith on. The Table & Bread
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31
World War 2 – Sleep with Bread
http://pennylhunt.com/sleeping-with-bread/
Jesus has been there with you all along!