READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l After Jesus’s resurrection, for the next 40 days, he taught and ministered to His disciples, in preparing them for His ascension into heaven. The road to Emmaus encounter took place just days after the resurrection.
If Jesus were to walk in our midst today, would we recognise him? Cleopas and his companion were in despair and they did not initially recognise Jesus. Their hopes had been dashed after Jesus’s crucifixion and his tomb was now empty. In times of despair, we too may be so fixated on our own problems that when Jesus walks with us, we may not even recognise His presence with us.
Four lessons for a fresh encounter with Christ:
Experience the Risen Christ with our Hearts (v17, 32)
Jesus enquires, gives us space and listens to us. It is okay to lament to God and to express our feelings and emotions. Even in times of sorrow, He is listening to us. On the road to Emmaus, the hearts of the disciples burned and Jesus opened the scriptures to them. Knowing that Jesus is with us, we can experience the risen Christ in our hearts.
Understand the Risen Christ with our Minds (v27)
Jesus explained to his disciples what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself. We understand from reading scripture. From the New Testament, we see how the Old Testament promise was unified in him. Jesus was prophet, son of David, suffering servant, messiah and son of man embodied in himself. Jesus gave his disciples a fresh understanding that He had bridged both suffering and triumph through the resurrection. We need to read all of scripture to understand God’s full redemptive story, instead of just focusing on a few favourite Bible passages. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will i.e. — His good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12) The scripture helps increase our faith in Christ.
Recognise the Risen Christ with our Eyes (v30-31)
When Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them, suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognised him. Do we recognise the Risen Christ with our spiritual eyes? Even after Jesus disappeared from their sight, they remained convinced of the resurrection in their hearts. They had left Jerusalem in despair, but after seeing and recognising the risen Christ, they returned to Jerusalem, full of hope.
Proclaim the Risen Christ with our Lips (v33-35)
Our lives are never the same again after encountering the risen Christ. We can proclaim the risen Christ with our lips. The two disciples rushed off to tell the others of the good news. The best evidence that we have understood Scripture and have experienced the living Christ is that we are excited to share the good news with others.
Are we encountering the risen Christ each day as well? Let us experience with our hearts, understand with our minds, recognise with our eyes and proclaim the risen Christ with our lips.
(Sermon notes by Denis Koh)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What are your key take away lessons?
- Share the last time when you had a “strangely warmed” experience with the Risen Christ ?
- How are you understanding the Risen Christ with your Minds today? What resources are you using to help you in meditating all of Scriptures daily?
- How are you being aware and recognising the Risen Christ in our midst today?
- How and who can you proclaim the good news of our Risen Christ with our lips in this Easter season?
