Luke 24 (4)

Pray Psalm 31.1-5.
In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

Sing Psalm 31.1-5.
(Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll not Want)
In You, O Lord, I refuge take; let me not come to shame!
In righteousness deliver me, according to Your Name.
Incline Your ear, my prayer to hear, my Fortress strong to save!

For You my Rock and Fortress are; in Your Name lead and guide.
You rescue me from ev’ry net which wicked men might hide.
My Refuge strong, my spirit long in Your hand shall abide.

Read Luke 24.1-35; meditate on verses 28-35.

Preparation
1. What did Jesus do?

2. How did the disciples respond?

Meditation
This story is familiar and precious. I want to clap my hands every time I read it. Caravaggio’s painting, “Supper at Emmaus”, captures the very moment when the two disciples see Jesus for Who He is. Their astonishment is palpable. We won’t rehearse the details, as these are sufficiently clear. But let me emphasize a few important points we must not miss.

Note that Jesus’ revelation of Himself to us is at His pleasure. He is looking for an eagerness in us, a desire to know Him and share in His fellowship. He uses His Word to nurture such affections in us, as we read and meditate on it; and He uses the Supper as well, for He is truly present in the sacrament, albeit spiritually. The greater our desire to fellowship with Jesus, the greater the likelihood He will show Himself to us.

We observe also that Jesus revealed Himself to two disciples at once. The effect on them was heightened as they shared in this experience together (v. 32). It’s always good to have others to walk with us in our journey with Jesus. Husbands and wives, colleagues in ministry, prayer partners, soul friends—as we learn and grow together in the Lord, our commitment to Him is strengthened and our service to Him is enriched.

The disciples had just finished a seven-mile walk to Jericho, and it was getting late. No matter. They were constrained immediately to return to Jerusalem and tell the Good News to the rest of the disciples (vv. 33-35). When we have seen Jesus—truly seen Him and understood the magnitude of His love for us—we will not hesitate to encourage others in His resurrection life.

Their report—augmented, it seems, by the disciples adding He had also appeared to Simon Peter—paved the way for Jesus to come into their midst, repeating on a larger scale what He had done during that meal in Emmaus. Thus the fellowship and knowledge of Jesus, love for Him, and commitment to His mission spiral upward and outward as disciples share together in His Word and Presence.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
The besieged city of Samaria was starving. Four outcast lepers decided to go to their Syrian enemies to surrender and perhaps get a bite to eat. But upon entering the camp they found it to be deserted and full of food and drink. So, they helped themselves to the bounty. But then their consciences were pricked, and they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household” (2 Ki. 7.9).

And thus it behooved the disciples from Emmaus to rush back to Jerusalem, and share with the bereft, news far better than a tasty meal. They had news of a risen Savior! The risen Bread of Life who had told them, “I AM the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (Jn. 6.51). That Bread was truly alive. They knew it. They had seen Him and talked with Him. They had shared earthly bread with Him. They must tell of it. They could not keep silent.

“My heart is overflowing with a good theme;
I recite my composition concerning the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Ps. 45.1).
“My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness
And of Your praise all the day long” (Ps. 35.28).
“But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones;
I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20.9).

Jeremiah could not hold back the good news.
Neither will creation hold back speaking about God (Ps. 19.1-4).

As Jesus so beautifully said, “I tell you that if these [people] should keep silent,
the stones would immediately cry out” (Lk. 19.40).

And here is what they said:
“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Lk. 19.38).

We, like the four lepers and the two from Emmaus, have a life-giving message to tell.
“This is a day of good news” and we dare not keep silent.

For reflection
1. We will share Jesus eagerly when our hearts are “warmed” by His love. How do we get to that place?

2. Why is it so important that we be willing, ready, and able to share the Good News with people in our Personal Mission Field?

3. How can you encourage your fellow believers to be more consistent in sharing the Good News?

See how Christ by his Spirit and grace makes himself known to the souls of his people. He opens the Scriptures to them. He meets them at his table, in the ordinance of the Lord’s supper; is known to them in breaking of bread. But the work is completed by the opening of the eyes of their mind; yet it is but short views we have of Christ in this world, but when we enter heaven, we shall see him for ever. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Luke 24.28-35

Pray Psalm 31.17-24.
Thank the Lord for His resurrection life and power. Call on Him to strengthen and fill you, so that you might serve Him faithfully in everything you do. Pray about each specific opportunity or activity that awaits you today.

Sing Psalm 31.17-24.
(Brother James’ Air: The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll not Want)
Let me not come to shame, O Lord, for on Your Name I call.
Let wicked men to hell be cast, let shame upon them fall.
Their lies and plots shall come to naught; to silence send them all!

How great the goodness You reserve for those who fear You, Lord,
who rest in You and boldly stand before men in Your Word.
You cover them from plots of men; You shelter them, O Lord!

Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown His steadfast love to me!
In my alarm I cried to Him; He heard my fervent plea!
In fear and dread with You I pled; You heard and rescued me!

O love the Lord, all you, His saints! He keeps us faithfully.
But all who act in sinful pride His wrath shall surely see.
Be strong and let your heart not fret; wait on Him constantly!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.