Walking with the Risen Lord

Walking with The Risen Lord

Luke 24:13-35 

Kobe Union Church    2026 April 12

Preacher: Nana Gyamfi Foster

Last Sunday was Easter celebration, and it was amazing. What made me happier was the baptism of dear sister………. In my opinion, I feel Easter is one of the most important celebrations of Christian festive seasons. I’m very sorry to say, it’s not about Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunt, and many other celebrations during the season, even though these other celebrations help to bring families together. Easter is about the death and resurrection of Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love for us drove Jesus to cross to die a sinner’s death. By His death, Christ has reconciled us to God in His physical body in order to present us before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach — (Colossians 1:22, Ephesians 2:16). In 1 Timothy 2:5, the scriptures say, “For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus”. This act on the cross demonstrates the love of the Father and the justification of our sonship. By celebrating Easter, we also remember that Christianity is not just a change of life, but a life exchanged. In that, our sinful life was exchanged with a glorious and sinless life of Jesus Christ on the cross, and His resurrection tells us that He still lives and intercedes for us. 

The road to Emmaus is a profound narrative that encapsulates a range of emotions: sorrow, thoughtful reasoning, lingering hope, and the despair that the third day was fading and Jesus had not come. The disciples, overwhelmed by the recent events, had forgotten what He had said to them. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had taken the time to explain to His disciples that He had to go to Jerusalem and endure many hardships at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law. He also revealed that He would be killed and resurrected on the third day, as recorded in Matthew 16:21. Despite these clear teachings, after His death, His followers had forgotten about what He said—perhaps due to the overwhelming present pain and sorrow of His death.

Jesus taught the word of God with unparalleled authority and demonstrated the power of God through numerous miracles, signs, and wonders. He healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead, and performed many other acts. These miracles were not just displays of power but were meant to instill faith and belief in Him as the Son of God sent to the world to redeem us from sin. He wanted His followers to understand that He was capable of doing all that He had told them.

After Jesus’s death, the disciples scattered, each one for themselves or in groups, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. (Matthew 26:31) “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’” Two of them, sorrowful and disappointed, were leaving town for Emmaus when they encountered a “Stranger.” They were contemplating leaving Jesus and returning to their previous lives, focusing on their work, family, and other responsibilities. Unbeknownst to them, this Stranger was Jesus Himself, who approached them and joined them on their journey. This incident is reminiscent of the scripture, “Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.” It highlights the Lord’s deep concern for us and His desire not to lose any of us to the enemy.

Our relationship with the Lord Jesus is filled with challenges as we navigate life in this world. The moment we choose to follow Jesus; the world will oppose us. Life presents tempting and bitter situations with the intention of testing our faith in Jesus. There are numerous accounts of individuals whose destinies were thwarted due to the pressures of the world. However, the Lord is always closer to deliver His people. He may appear to us in unexpected ways, but we will always know Him from our hearts. To the disciples, Jesus was a stranger in Jerusalem. As we walk with Him, the Lord can use our family, friends, colleagues, strangers, or even enemies to fulfill His purpose and promises to us.

This story serves as a reminder that even in our moments of doubt and despair, Jesus is with us, guiding us and helping us to remember His teachings and promises. I recall the story of a faithful believer facing overwhelming hardship. He had a wife and two children and worked tirelessly at menial jobs to provide for them. One day he was laid off from his job. He called a few friends to help him find another job, but it was difficult because he was an immigrant and didn’t have higher education. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as he searched for a job. His wife became frustrated and almost left with the children. Yet he held on to his faith, whispering prayers even when hope felt distant. One day, he received a call to come check on a particular job. When he arrived, he found that it had already been taken. Disappointed and frustrated, he walked sorrowfully back home through a wealthy neighborhood. As he was walking, he heard his name immediately after a short prayer. The person who called him told him that he had been waiting for him to come and start a job on that very day. The miracle here is that they didn’t know each other and had never met before. No matter what challenges we face, God holds us fast and never lets us go. He doesn’t want to lose us.

The Risen Lord left everything to be with these two disciples and to bring them back to Himself - What a God we serve! He is the Good Shepherd and He always finds a way to bring us back to Him. The Lord is nearer than we could imagine. He’s just a prayer away. James 4:8a says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Even though the disciples had withdrawn from the other believers and were physically moving away from Jerusalem, they kept Lord in their hearts, minds and mouths. They loved Him in their hearts, thought about Him and talked about Him. I believe that’s what made the Jesus draw near. This is profound. If we can keep the word of God in our hearts, minds and in our conversations, He will always be with us, and we can experience the power and help He can bring.

As the Lord drew near, He inquired, “What are you discussing together?” How do you communicate during challenging situations? What topics do you discuss? Who do you confide in? How often do we talk about Jesus when we meet as Christians or even with others? The disciples were sorrowful and disappointed, and they may have expressed their feelings to this “stranger.” Don’t let your circumstances alter your conversations. Do you convey distress, disappointment, failure, curses, discontent, discomfort, hatred, or anything else on your way to Emmaus? After whining and complaining, Jesus tells them they are slow of heart, meaning slow to believe. We must not lose our faith in Jesus when challenges happen. Many times, we exaggerate our problems and situations compared to our God. Some Christians will fast and pray about a specific situation but will confess negatively. Our thoughts, prayers, confessions, and communication should be truthful and aligned with what the Lord has said. Only declare what the Lord says in His Word concerning your life. That’s TRUTH. Don’t declare facts; declare truth. The Lord instructs us to trust in Him completely. Regardless of what the enemy brings our way; everything happens for the good of those who love God.

As believers we must be like Jesus and boldly share the gospel with others. The Lord joined the conversation and then began to explain the scriptures to them. Our walk with Jesus demands that we share Him with others. Jesus said, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also…” John 10:16. We must help in gathering the sheep that Jesus has called. This passage emphasizes that sharing the good news is not a responsibility reserved solely for pastors or missionaries. Every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit with the ability to speak of what Jesus has done in their lives. We are all called to be witnesses of His love and grace, sharing the gospel with those around us and inviting them to experience the transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ. We must trust the Lord for utterance and not rely on our experience or insufficiencies when sharing the gospel. Nobody is perfect to share the gospel.

The moment of revelation on the road to Emmaus happened not in the synagogue or the marketplace, but at the humble table where bread was broken. Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to the disciples. In that simple act of fellowship, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. This teaches us that spiritual encounters often happen in the everyday moments of life—around meals, in conversations, in acts of hospitality. Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” These guys did not just entertain angels they entertained the Son of God. 

Breaking bread together is more than sharing food; it is sharing life. Fellowship invites the presence of Christ into our relationships. When we gather with family, friends, neighbors, or even strangers to share a meal, we create space for encouragement, prayer, and the reminder that we are one body in Christ. Acts 2:46-47 describes the early church: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.” Simple fellowship can accomplish powerful spiritual work. Meals become moments of ministry. Laughter and conversation can heal hearts. A shared table can break walls of isolation and open doors for the gospel. Serving food to others, inviting someone into your home, or even sharing lunch at work can become holy opportunities for Christ to be revealed.

I remember loving church as a child, not just because of the preaching, but because the church served food afterward. It was in those moments of community that I felt the love of Christ in action. Today, we too can use the simple act of breaking bread to draw closer to God and one another. Today, the Risen Lord still walks with us on our own “roads to Emmaus.” He meets us in our prayers, in our struggles, in our conversations, and even in the fellowship of a shared meal. He is not distant or disinterested; He is a faithful companion, willing to draw near to any heart that seeks Him. This journey with Him transforms our daily lives into a living testimony of His resurrection power.

When we speak His Word, we invite His presence. When we pray in faith, we open ourselves to His guidance. When we break bread and share fellowship with others, we embody His love to a world in need. In doing these things, our lives proclaim that He is alive, He is with us, and He is still changing hearts today. So, let us walk each day aware that the Risen Lord travels beside us. Let our conversations honor Him, our homes welcome His presence, and our actions reflect His grace. Open your heart, your table, and your life to Him and to others, and you will find that your journey will never be the same; for the Risen Christ walks with you, and in Him, every step leads closer to glory.

Discussion Questions

1.  In the Gospel of Luke 24 story, why do you think the disciples did not recognize Jesus at first? What can this teach us when we go through difficult times? 

2. The disciples said their “hearts were burning within them” when Jesus explained the Scriptures (Luke 24:32). What do you think this means? 

3.  Jesus revealed Himself while they were sharing a meal. What does this teach us about meeting Christ in everyday moments? 

4. The sermon says every believer can share the gospel. What are some simple ways we can talk about Jesus in daily life?