“And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” – v.19
Jesus had been crucified. This occurred on Friday, when his body was removed from the cross and placed in a grave.
Certainly Friday night was long for those disciples. Sad because his master was dead. Sad because they never would eat of the loaves He multiplied, nor would hear the words he told them.
That was not a normal Saturday as the last they had spent the last three years I've been working with Jesus, walking from village to village teaching in their synagogues, squares, fountains, gardens and even in the desert.
Those two disciples then leave the group that met in Jerusalem to address and resolve Emmaus or Hammat, an ancient town 5 miles from Jerusalem, far enough that they do not suffer the loss of both his Master. Their intention was to make a stop, maybe next trip further afield the next day.
Those disciples go, sad as they are made by Jesus, now resurrected, which starts chatting with them and ask for explanations about what they were talking about. They are surprised that he did not know the stranger horrible things that had happened in Jerusalem just three days. Jesus then asks why they were sad.
When they respond to Jesus about what they were talking, it is important to note the tone of their conversation and despondency that had taken hold of their hearts: "And Jesus said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and crucified. And we hoped that it was he which should have redeemed Israel: but now, about all this is now the third day since these things happened. - Luke 24:19-21"
Chatting sadder!
To them Jesus WAS a man, was no more. Jesus WAS a prophet, was no more. Jesus WAS mighty in deed and word. To them Jesus did not represent anything, but a name of the past.
Not even the fact that women had gone to the tomb and found a big void there, made no difference to them. Jesus had been killed and his body was no longer in the tomb.
See something absurd. What should be cause for celebration, the empty tomb, was to them a further sign of defeat. Women and other disciples went to the tomb and did not find Jesus. Of course not. Why seek among the dead than alive? Was the question that the angel did to women. He lives! But they did not believe in the words of the women or the other disciples. Were too sad for any consolation. Jesus did not represent anything for them. Jesus was nothing more. Jesus was no longer Jesus.
Listen to verse 21: and we hoped that it was he which should have redeemed Israel. We expected. Do not expect anything more from him. Do not expect anything that Jesus.
They knew that the tomb was empty. The angel had said that Jesus had risen that He was alive, but that meant nothing to them. They believed more in defeat than in victory cross the empty tomb. The cross can be the greatest demonstration of God's love for you, but it would mean nothing without the empty tomb. Without the empty tomb cross loses all meaning.
Paul even said that if Christ had not risen then the preaching of the gospel would be vain.
Do not let sadness for many events take you to the joy of the empty tomb. The sorrow of the cross had gripped the hearts of those young, to the point of them not understanding the words of love that drove Jesus to them, the same words of love and mercy before.
Do not think that Jesus was no longer Jesus because of the death of a dream of yours. You might look and see that your dreams have died, there is no longer any sign of life or recoverability. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever will be. He lives. The tomb is empty. The big difference between Jesus and all the great men that ever existed is the tomb that is full of them, but Jesus is empty.
Your dreams may have died. Your hopes may have been finished. The tears may have taken the place of joy. You can even look sideways and see only death, but never lose sight of the joy of the empty tomb. The empty tomb of Christ is the greatest demonstration of God's power. Jesus can do all things. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Savior, the Messiah, the Anointed of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, He is Jehovah El Shaddai, God Almighty. Do not hesitate. Do not ever forget the empty tomb.
When you terrify your problems, remember the empty tomb. Remember that He lives, Jesus lives, and if he lives, miracles can still occur. If he lives, even the blind can see, the deaf can still hear, the lame can still walk, patients can still be cured and dreams can still be resurrected. After all he lives, the Almighty still lives.
See you!
Elias Eloy
Restoring Paths Ministry
( [email protected] )
www.restaurandoveredas.com
when_jesus_arent_jesus.pdf |