The Road to Emmaus

“ The Road to Emmaus ”　

Luke 24:13-37

 Kobe Union Church  

April 27, 2025  

Preacher: Foster Onyx-Gyamfi  

This beautiful portrayal of the Resurrection is so lifelike and natural that it seems impossible to have been created. The sorrowful walk, the thoughtful reasoning, the wonder that anyone could have lived for such a short time in Jerusalem without knowing the events that filled their souls, the lingering hope, the despair that the third day was fading and He had not come, the clue of the morning announcement that had not been followed up—all these touches are in with a profound sense of natural emotion.

“He’s dead, let’s go home brother.” “What a disappointment!” “I thought he said he was the Messiah, but he died before he could save us.” I am pretty sure these were part of the

conversations the disciples were having on their way to Emmaus, considering their

disappointment in the death of Jesus.

Ghanaians really love football (soccer). Not like LOVE soccer. In the 1990s and early 2000s,

when television and internet were not common, many football lovers would travel miles either to the sports stadium or to the nearest town to listen to the radio or to watch television as the teams played. When their Football Club lost a game, you could see the disappointment on their faces—so real! As they took “the walk of shame,” they talked among themselves, blaming the goalkeeper, the defenders, the coach, etc. These disappointments sometimes caused people to drink excessively, go on hunger strikes, commit suicide, and engage in all sorts of evils. Disappointment and betrayal are part of life, and we should embrace them and learn how to deal with them when they happen to us. They sometimes cause us to lose our focus in life.

They had been counting on Jesus to redeem Israel—that is, to rescue the nation from its

enemies. Most Jews believed that the Old Testament prophecies pointed to a military and

political Messiah (a new King David); they didn’t realize that the Messiah had come to

redeem people from slavery to sin and death. When Jesus died, therefore, they lost all hope.

These two disciples were in a pit of disappointment. They had followed Jesus for around

three and a half years. They had seen Him heal the sick, cast out demons, teach the Word of God, perform miracles, and even raise the dead. “How could He die?” It was a terrible shock to them.

They could not fathom or understand what was happening. They missed the significance of history’s greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and

problems.

To tell you the truth, many of us—maybe all of us—miss what God is doing because we focus on ourselves and not on God. We want to not only drive our own car—we want to drive God’s car too.

To compound the problem, they were walking in the wrong direction—away from the

fellowship of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem. They went back home. Emmaus was about a

seven-mile journey from Jerusalem. They had journeyed miles to follow Jesus—they paid a

great price. Jesus had already told them about the significance of His death and resurrection,

but the pain of His death made them give up. Sometimes life happens, and we give up on our faith. Many of us here may have gone through terrible situations in our lives. During those dark days, many of us have considered giving up hope. This happened to the disciples of Jesus, who at this point were 11 men locked behind closed doors. So these two men thought, “I will just go home.”

They could not wait to witness how this greatest event was going to end—His

resurrection—as He promised. Many a time, when we go through challenging situations as

believers in Christ, we miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers

when we become preoccupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we

are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the power and help that only Jesus can bring. We should not forsake the assembling of believers (Hebrews 10:25), as we draw

strength when we are among our brethren in the Lord.

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and

walked along with them.” Remember that these disciples were disappointed, had withdrawn

from the believers, and were on their way home. They had had enough. “All hope is lost,”

perhaps they would say to themselves. But just as they thought on these things, Jesus

appeared to them. The Bible says in Psalm 46:1 (NIV) — “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Jesus is always near to us and ready to offer help. All we need to do is recognize His presence and allow Him into our lives.

In verse 17, He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They

stood still; their faces downcast. Cleopas would have been very angry and frustrated when

he heard that question from “the stranger.” How could you have missed these happenings in Jerusalem?

My tribesman in Ghana, in this situation, would have given Jesus the worst answer He could

ever think of. Usually, when there is a trending news item that everyone is talking about and

someone is completely ignorant of what is happening, it is prudent not to ask questions. If

this “stranger” had asked my tribesman (who is in Cleopas’ situation) this question, a

deserving answer would have been an adage which translates: “If you didn’t hear the rain

fall, are you also blind to see that the ground is wet?”—meaning, “Are you not only deaf but blind as well, to not know what is happening in Jerusalem?”

The triumphant entry into Jerusalem announced Jesus’ presence—how could anyone have

missed this greatest event? Cleopas was really surprised to hear that question from the

stranger. But I believe it was a very important question for Jesus to have asked them. He

wanted to know if they really knew the meaning of what had happened. They recounted

everything as it had happened but missed out on the most important part—its significance.

All these things happened so that they would BELIEVE IN JESUS. These disciples knew that

the tomb was empty but didn’t know that Jesus had risen, and they were filled with sadness.

Despite the women’s witness, which was verified by some of the disciples, and despite the

biblical prophecies of this very event, they still didn’t believe it. Today, the Resurrection still

catches people by surprise. Despite 2,000 years of evidence and witness, many people

refuse to believe that it happened. What more will it take?

For these disciples, it took seeing the living Jesus in the same room with them. Don’t forget that many of these disciples ignored the death of Jesus and went about doing their business. These two disciples were not the only ones to have forgotten about Jesus. Even Peter did. In John 21:3, Peter had lost hope and gone back to his fishing business. The appearance of Jesus brought back his faith again. The WORD appeared to them.

For many people today, it takes meeting Christians who display the transforming love of the resurrected Christ to them. According to 2 Corinthians 4:3–4, Satan has deceived and

blinded the minds of people so they don’t believe in Christ and His resurrection. The allure of money, power, and pleasure blinds people to the light of Christ’s gospel. As Christians and disciples of Jesus, one of the best ways we can display the transforming love of the

resurrected Christ is by preaching the gospel of Jesus. Unbelievers can come to Jesus and

have faith in Him only when Christians (the disciples of Jesus) preach. The scriptures say in

Romans 10:13–15 (KJV): “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be

saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they

believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

The preaching of the gospel is to bring good tidings. People who have lost all hope, in

distress, depression, and confusion, need good tidings. The amazing thing is that the

preaching of the gospel is not only for pastors but for every believer or disciple of Jesus. The scriptures did not say “without Pastor” but “without a preacher.” A preacher is anyone who has the WORD of God and tells others about it.

Jesus wants His story (WORD) to be shared so that people will believe in Him. Unfortunately,

He can only be the Savior of those who believe in Him. In John 1:12–13 (KJV), the scriptures say: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

In verse 25 of Luke 24, He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Wait a minute! What did you just say to me? Who are you to insult us? Do you know who I am? I am sure these were some of the questions that would be running through their minds when they heard that. And I am very sure most of us would have been very angry if those statements were referred to us. BUT that’s how the WORD of Truth is. It opens us up to reveal what we are made of and points us to our folly so we can learn. The WORD rebukes us in love.

In 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, REBUKING,

CORRECTING and training in righteousness.” Sometimes we read the WORD or come to

church and the preaching by the pastor exposes us and makes us feel terribly stupid, sad,

disgraced, and weak. But we should never be ANGRY at the WORD when it is pointing out

our mistakes and folly. Be patient and receive the WORD with meekness because it has the

power to save you. The scriptures say in James 1:21 (NLT): “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the

power to save your souls.”

The disciples did not get angry with the stranger on the road. Instead, they were patient as Jesus expounded all the Scriptures concerning Himself, beginning with Moses. That must

have been a long conversation, if you ask me — but they enjoyed the WORD so much, they

didn’t want this stranger to leave.

When they asked Him to stay, Jesus confirmed their hunger for more. Remember the story of our Lord’s birth — there was no room for Him in the inn, and He had to be born in a stable.

But these men had room. Room in their home. Room at their table for the Savior. Yes, they

had been walking in the wrong direction — but they had room for Jesus. And where there is room for Jesus, there is room for hope. There is room for love.

So what if you’re not a preacher? Can you simply and clearly tell someone about the love

you have for Jesus — and how that love has changed your life? If you trust in Jesus and

allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, God will give you the words He wants you to share.

We must be students of the WORD, not just listeners. We must encounter Jesus for

ourselves, not only through what we hear in preaching. Jesus is ready to have a relationship

with us through His Word — if we will allow Him. The disciples invited Him to stay, and after they had drawn deeply from the Word, their eyes were opened. They recognized Him.

You get to know someone by spending time with them. I can confidently say that my wife,

Irene, knows me better than anyone else — because we spend time together. I make time for her, and she makes time for me. The same is true of Jesus. Will you make time in your busy life for Him?

Irene knows the good, the bad, and the ugly about me. She knows what I can and cannot do — and she stands by me. She defends me and protects me. But Jesus does far more than that when we walk in relationship with Him. So today, as we remember the walk to Emmaus, let me ask you:

Have you invited Jesus to walk with you? Have you made room at your table — in your heart, in your daily life — not just for religion, but for a real relationship with Him? These two disciples didn’t recognize Jesus at first. But their hearts burned within them as He opened the Scriptures. And when they welcomed Him in, He opened their eyes. Let that be our prayer today: “Lord, open our eyes. Burn our hearts with your truth. Stay with us, for it is evening

and the day is nearly over.” Don’t let another Easter come and go without truly encountering the risen Christ. He is not just a story. He is the Savior. He’s not just a figure in history — He is the living Son of God, walking beside you even when you don’t recognize Him. Will you let Him in? Will you make room for Him — not just in your home, but in your time, your priorities, your heart?

I tell you this not because I want you to give more. NO!! NO!! Because if you let Jesus into

your life you will receive so much more than you can ever give. I do not want you to give

more. I want you to get more. And once you do — you will want to run the whole way back to Jerusalem to tell others of the good news. Let’s not just be hearers of the Word. Let’s be doers. Let’s not just remember Easter — let’s live it, every day, as people who walk with Jesus, listen to Him, and share His story. Let us pray.

Possible Questions for reflection.

1. How do disappointments and unmet expectations affect our faith, and what can we learn from the disciples on the road to Emmaus about dealing with spiritual discouragement?

2. The disciples knew the facts—that the tomb was empty—but they didn’t grasp the significance. Why is it sometimes hard to move from head knowledge to heart belief?

3. Jesus walked with the disciples and patiently explained the Scriptures to them. What does this tell us about how God meets us in our confusion or doubt?

4. What role does fellowship with other believers play in helping us stay focused on Jesus and not our problems?

5. The sermon emphasizes that preaching the gospel isn’t just for pastors. What are some practical ways you can share the story of Jesus with others this week?