7 Mile:
Good News for Sad and Searching People
Luke 24
What an amazing chapter. We could just keeping singing now. But lets try to unfold some
of the glory of this chapter.
This is our last week of our mini-study in Luke. We have been looking at Jesus ministry to
people; how he befriended tax collectors, prostitutes, etc; and how we tells us to practice
hospitality to outsiders.
Luke 24 is about the resurrection. Jesus eats with his disciples after he rose from the dead,
and there are many encouraging themes in this text.
Hostility or Curiosity
Nate and I had breakfast with Luke wisely last week. Luke was a member here until he left
to do a PhD at Cambridge. He was telling us about sharing the Gospel with his fellow
students. We were discussing the fact that not all non-believers are hostile to the Gospel.
Some are indifferent, and some are curious. He told us about several conversations that he
has had at "the whiskey club" and on the rowing team. Several individuals have ask him
questions because he is the only one studying humanities, and theyre intrigued. Many are
studying Robotics, Mathematics, and other disciplines. They ask him, So what is that you
believe and why do you believe?”
As he was telling us these stories it reminded me of our study. We say that effective
outreach involves ordinary people doing ordinary things with Gospel intentionality.”
Thats what Luke is doing.
The Book of Luke
Luke: Friend of Theophilus
It also reminded me of the Gospel writer, Luke. Notice the opening of this Gospel.
Luke is writing this Gospel to a friend, named Theophilus. The book of Acts is part 2. Notice
it. (Read them)
So Luke is writing about Jesus. He is explaining to his friend, Theophilus, whose name
means friend of God, about Jesus.
Luke gives us an example of what it looks like to be a friend of sinners. We dont know
what Theophilus did. He could have been a Roman governor, a financial backer, or simply a
friend. We have his name, but not his resume. Regardless, Luke illustrates love. He takes
time to sit down and write a letter to talk about Jesus to this guy. He wants Theophilus to
truly be a friend of God through Jesus.
Friends Not Just Friendly
There is a difference in being friendly with sinners and being a friend of sinners.
Friendship means welcome, relationship, time, attention....
Do you have a Theophilus?
Last weekend I was preaching in Peoria for a hero in ministry, Bryan Chapell, author of
Christ-Centered Preaching. He pastors a church called Grace Presbyterian. He asked me to
come and do four sermons on Hospitality Evangelism, particularly the sermon on Luke 14.
He urged me to challenge his folks. Its a church of about 1500 people with the average age
at 66. After I got finished with the four talks, the MC of the event was doing some
application, which I thought would be helpful to do here at IDC. They challenged their
people by June 1 to do hospitality outreach in some way barbeque, board game, coffee,
etc. And he told them to write it down; then to share it with someone. I want to be that
specific this morning. Who are reaching out to? How are you going to do it? The purpose of
this series is for us to apply it. So let me encourage you to write it down and share it with
your growth group.
Luke 24 Overview
From Sadness to Joy
In Luke 24, Jesus takes the time to walk 7 miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus with two
disciples. Some of you are familiar with Eminems 8 Mile, a movie named after a well
known area in Detroit. This is 7 Mile, and in this account we find Good News for Sad people.
Notice their sadness in verses 17, 21. Then notice how the chapter ends with great joy (v.
52).
How can you go from sadness to joy? The resurrection. The empty tomb changes
everything!
Many people only reflect on the resurrection at Easter or at the end of their life we hear
about it at funeral services. But these shouldnt be the only times. Dont just die on
resurrection truth, live on it!
From Searching to Answers
People in this chapter are not only sad, but they start off searching they go to the tomb,
they bat around questions in their head about the possibility of a resurrection. Their hopes
are dashed, but then they find purpose and meaning when they see the resurrected Christ.
How about you? Do you need to soar with joy? Do you need to know where meaning is
found? Then let us take a trip down 7 Mile. We find that it comes in believing the Good
news.
3 Exhortations Concerning the Good News
1. Believe the Good News About the Empty Tomb: Jesus is the Risen King (24:1-12)
As we read the account of the resurrection, we find several proofs (to use Lukes words to
Theophilus) regarding the resurrection. Why is it that we should believe?
It does require belief (this concept runs throughout the chapter), but its a reasonable
belief. It's a leap into the light, not a leap into the dark. Let me mention a few of those
proofs in this chapter in hopes that it my either build your faith as a Christian, or it may
cause you to think deeply about Christianity if youre not a Christian.
A.
You Must Deal with the Empty Tomb
The ladies come to the tomb with their spices (1-3). They find the stone, but that dont
find Jesus. Why? He gone! The angels confirm this (4-6). Then they tell them that this is
consistent with the rest of Scripture and Jesus teaching (6-7).
The ladies then go back and tell it to the eleven and to the rest (9); among this group was
Mary Magdalene.
Notice they seemed like idle tale and they did not believe.’” Well get to that in a
moment.
In verse 12, Peter looks in and sees that the tomb is empty.
Now, I dont want to rehearse all of the possible suggestions for what happened to the
body of Jesus, but when you consider the possibilities they simply dont make sense. Jews
stole his body? Why wouldnt they show it? Disciples stole it? Why would they die for it
and boldly proclaim it? Dogs ate it? Please. This was all done publically public
execution, and placed in a well known grave. Hallucinations? He appeared to over 500 at
different places. The most reasonable conclusion is that Jesus rose from the grave.
You say, People dont rise from the dead. Exactly. Thats why its a big deal. This is
a game changer.
B. You Must Deal with the Historical Validity of the Account
This story, like the other Gospel accounts bears all the marks of history writing, not
legend writing.
Richard Bauchem in his book Jesus and the Eyewitnesses, explains the four Gospels are
closely based on eyewitness testimony of those who knew Jesus. He tells us that if you
study ancient historiography, you understand that this passage does not AT ALL
resemble a legend. Mark bears all the marks of an ancient historian.
Ancient historians gave more weight to still living eyewitnesses than written documents
or any other source of proof.
Eyewitnesses were always the source of choice for history.
Luke doesnt write like a legend writer, where an omniscient author stands outside of the
event and explains; instead he gets details from those inside the event and reports. Why
the stuff about fish and chips? Why some of the details that seem to not need to be
there? Because its an eye witnesses account.
One of the intriguing things the writers do is drop names. And historians point out that
these are like footnotes. These are still living eyewitnesses, like Cleopas, whom you
could talk to.
What some want to do is spiritualize the story and just say that these stories symbolize
something else; they illustrate some deeper meaning. John Crossan says, Emmaus never
happened. Emmaus always happened. In other words, we are take away the virtues of
the story faith and love. But dont take it seriously. But why these details? Because it
happened.
C. You Must Deal with the Women
You wouldnt make women as the eyewitnesses unless it happened like this.
Further proof, Celsus, a Greek pagan philosopher, in 2
nd
century was very against
Christianity. Here was one of his main arguments: One of the reasons, we know that it
cant be true is that it is based on the testimony of women! He said, We all know
women are hysterical. Celsus referred to the gossip of women about the empty tomb.
Why did he say this? IN ancient cultures, women were marginalized.
Further, Mary Magdalene, was not only a woman (most Marys are!) she was a formerly
demon-possessed women! She heads the list in all four Gospels. If the account was
fabricated, you would not have this lady as your witness unless it happened!
D. You Must Deal with the Skepticism of the Disciples
Often I hear people say, Well, people in the first century were more likely to believe
than us. Primitive people believed in miracles. They were more gullible. Really?
Notice that no one in this story was anticipating the resurrection, even though Jesus had
told them about it previously more than once! The women go to anoint the body; the
disciples arent expecting it. In verse 11, they think its an idle tale.
They were just as skeptical as modern man, and maybe more so. Greek and Romans
didnt believe in Resurrection. They believed that you needed to be separated from your
body. Jewish people believed in a final resurrection when the entire world was
resurrection, not many believed in a personal, bodily resurrection. It was all pretty vague
for many.
If you think that humanity has changed, youre wrong. C.S. Lewis says you are guilty of
chronological snobbery. They were just as unlikely if not more to believe.
E. You Must Deal with Jews Worshiping Jesus as God
No Jew would worship a man as God. They wont even write the name of God. Yet, how
do you explain these Jewish disciples worshiping Jesus? How do yup explain Paul's
conversion? And it doesnt happen gradually; its instantaneous.
The resurrection was an paradigm shattering fact.
Applications
For my non-Christian friends, will you consider these things? Some want to say that
"Christians just believe what they've been told... They should examine... So should
the skeptic. That goes both ways. To my skeptical friends, dont believe what youve
been told. Have the intellectual integrity to examine these things.
For my Christian friends,
o Realize that our hope is not built on some myth. But something that happened
in human history.
o Find encouragement in the dark moments of your life in the empty tomb.
Paul write to Timothy saying, Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead (2
Tim 2:8). Keep remembering.
In Luke 14, Jesus said that when you practice hospitality, remember that you
will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
Paul told the Corinthians that because of the resurrection, their labor is not in
vain (1 Cor 15:58). The empty tomb gives us great joy and great purpose.
2. Believe the Good News Found in All the Scripture: Jesus is the Long Expected King
(24:13-35)
Jesus calls himself the Christ twice verses 26, and 46. He is the Messiah or King that has
been promised in the Hebrew Scriptures.
His Bible study takes place on this Road to Emmaus. Let me break it down in four parts.
A. The Basic Problem: Jesus Didn
t Fulfill Their Expectations (13-21)
So these two guys are journeying back to Emmaus when a stranger joins them.
Walking makes for good conversations. When Kimberly and I were married, I discovered
that walking was a good way to reflect on the day, so we walked after I got home from the
office. Walking is a good way to pray. Take a hike with Jesus.
Notice in verse 14 that they were talking about the things that happened. This is history
not just mere human invention.
In verse 16, Luke says, there eyes were kept from recognizing him (16). Thats a way to
say that God kept them from recognizing him. While the body of Jesus is glorious, the story
shows us that he was recognizable. But they cant see right now. In his grace, God opens up
our eyes. Notice verse 31, their eyes were opened. And flip back to Luke 18:34. Luke
writes that they didnt understand. We need God to open up our eyes to the truth, we
should say, This is the Lords doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. (Ps 118:23)
In verse 17, Jesus asks them what theyre talking about and we read that they were “sad.”
Cleopas asks, Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesnt know what has
happened? (18). Ironically, Hes the only one in Jerusalem who does know what has
happened! They basically ask him, Have you been under a rock?!
Jesus goes along with them What things? They report on Jesus. They says, He was from
Nazareth. He was a prophet. His miracles were amazing. His teaching was fresh, not like the
Scribes. But then he was crucified, and all our hopes have been crushed.
It has been three days since then.
In verse 22-24, shows us that they still had a thread of hope. They are puzzled by the report
of the women. They women were reporting that the tomb was empty.
B. The Big Picture: Jesus is the Hero of the Bible (25-27)
This pair had a hard time putting crucifixion, resurrection, and Messiah together. Everyone
expected Messiah to come and overthrow all the enemies. But Jesus died on a cross. And
kings dont die on a cross. So Jesus has to explain things.
He starts out with Foolish ones! (25). He says, You are a little slow on the uptake. Dont
you realize that the Old Testament told you what you should expect?
Circle the word all. In every part of the Bible, one can find the Messiah. Notice verse 44
the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. These are the three divisions that the Hebrews
used for dividing up the OT. In all of these, Jesus says, I have fulfilled the expectations, and
the promises.
It sounds like Paul later before Agrippa, I stand here testifying both to small and great,
saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ
must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both
to our people and to the Gentiles. (Acts 26:22b-23). Paul says Im just believing the
message of the Bible.
Heres the basic logic: apart from the resurrection, you cant understand the cross. But
when you pair the cross and the resurrection together, the whole Bible opens up to you.
You can understand it all now.
D.A. Carson illustrates with the conversion of Saul. He asks:
What was Pauls perspective before he was converted?... For him, the notion of a
crucified Messiah was a contradiction in terms. But now on the Damascus Road Saul meets
the resurrected, glorified Jesus. If Jesus were alive and glorified, then somehow his death on
the cross did not prove he was damned. Far from it: the claim of believers that God had raised
him from the dead, and that they had seen him, must be true and that could only mean that God
vindicated Jesus. Then what on earth did his death mean?
Carson continues:
If Jesus was under the curse of God when he died, yet was vindicated by God himself, he
must have died for others. Somehow his death absorbed the righteous curse of God that was due
others and canceled it out. In that light, the entire Hebrew Scriptures looked different. Was it not
written that a Suffering Servant would be wounded for our transgressions Does the death of
countless lambs and bulls really take away sin? Or do we need a, as it were, a human lamb of
God, a human Passover Lamb? .
Carson goes on to ask what about the tabernacle and the temple? And what about the
promise to Abraham that all the nations will be blessed? And then Carson says,
Grant that Jesus is alive and vindicated, and everything changes. (For the Love of God,
July 22).
When Paul met the resurrected Christ, he understood the cross, and when he understood
the two together, the whole Bible made sense.
The Big Picture is this: the whole Bible points to Jesus, the long expected Messiah.
He is the hero of the Bible. Jesus teaches these disciples and us how to read our
Bibles.
This is a big subject and I cant get into the whole debate
Our statement of faith puts it like this: "All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is
Himself the focus of divine revelation."
It is possible to know Bible stories but miss The Story of the Bible. It is possible to
read Hebrew (like the Pharisees) and miss the story of the Bible (John 5:39). Its
possible to know all about the Showbread, and where the rocks came from to build
the temple, but miss the story of the Bible.
Jesus is showing us the big picture here. And hes saying, Its all about me. All of it.
Qualifer: Im not saying that every verse is about Jesus. We shouldnt go to Joshua 2:1
and say, Oh thats about Jesus. No, what Jesus is saying is essentially this: All the
plot lines converge on Me. All of the themes of salvation converge on me.
Guys like Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, and John Piper all affirm that its impossible to
read an earlier part of Scripture without the end in mind. Its kind of like the
movie the Sixth Sense. The first time you watch it you dont realize whats going on
until the end. Then you realize, Oh, Bruce Willis is dead. Then you go back and you
say, Oh, I see now. The Gospel is you read the story and the hero isnt dead but
alive. You then go back to read the earlier parts and it makes sense. (HT: Keller)
James Hamilton says: The Old Testament is a Messianic document, written from a
Messianic perspective, to sustain a Messianic hope. And Jesus is saying Hope is
here.
We read with the cross and resurrection in view: The entire Bible pivots on one weekend
in Jerusalem about two thousand years ago." (D.A. Carson)
Application:
Church: Some call this a Christ-centered reading of the Bible, or a Christotelic reading; that
is, reading with this ultimate purpose of the Bible in view. We are deeply committed to this
at Imago Dei. We are committed to opening up Scripture, teaching it, and pointing people to
the hero of the Bible.
We take Pauls approach, Him we proclaim (Col 1:28)
We want to keep the Life-changer at the heart of every sermon.
If you dont its just information transfer; we are after worshipful
transformation.
Christian: Read the Bible and examine both the trees and the forest. Study the Bible not
merely to learn principles, but to learn Christ. Study to see the nature of God who provides
redemption, and the nature of man who needs redemption. Youre Bible reading should
make you love Jesus more.
Non-Christian: The Bible is a unified story. It is not a loose collection of stories and
sayings. It does contain 66 books, but they are all pointing us to the Savior. If you are
skeptical, let me encourage you to read, come to worship, and keep the big picture in view.
Dont get lost on issues like dinosaurs, if Adam had a belly button, or whatever. Keep your
eye on the Messiah.
C. A Burning Passion (28-35)
We might break down what happens next into four parts:
i. Invitation (28-30)
So they invite Jesus to stay with them. The word for urged him strongly is used
by Luke regarding Lydia, in the book of Acts, when she urged the Paul and the
others to stay at her house after she believed.
Its probably getting late, and its dangerous, and these guys are interested. So they
invite Jesus in.
Verse 30: Jesus accepts the invitation and proceeds to take over the meal. Have
you ever had a guest that takes over your kitchen? They just start cooking and
serving as the host? Thats my father-in-law. Im happy about it, though. Hes a
great cook. He loves to host. Hes famous for saying, more eggs over here guys.
More sausage here. Well, Jesus takes over the meal in their house.
This was actually common. They would often ask the guest to say the blessing and
break the bread. The language reflects Luke 22:19.
On this occasion, they recognize Jesus as he is breaking the bread.
ii. Recognition (31)
Their eyes are opened. And he was made known through the breaking of the bread.
Was it the scars in his hands? Was it the way he broke the bread? Perhaps. We
dont know on a human level how this worked, but what he do know is that God
opened up their eyes to know Jesus. And it was through the breaking of the bread.
It was at a table. I think thats significant.
Application: Jesus appeared in the ordinariness of life. He just resurrected, but
how is it that his presence and grace was made known? Through preaching the
Bible and breaking the bread. We can do the same. And we can experience the
power of Christ in the same ways.
This isnt sensational; its all very ordinary, but its also extraordinary. My greatest
moments have been around a meal and sitting under the teaching of the word
dont underestimate these acts.
iii. Impression (32)
Verse 32 is one of my favorite verses. They sort of say to themselves, Wasnt our
hearts burning as he was teaching? Something was happening to them as Christ
taught them the Bible.
Then he vanishes. There is mystery here. The new body is recognizable but
different. But lets not get lost in that for now.
Think about this burning passion in their hearts.
My friends, this is the goal. Jonathan Edwards said that the goal of preaching and
teaching is not just explanation, but impression. The goal is not just to make the
truth clear, but to make it real. In other words, true proclamation affects our
hearts.
Application:
o When you come to your personal Bible study, come with this attitude: Burn
your truth into my heart! Fill me a fresh with passion!
o When you come to corporate worship, come with this attitude.
Dont come as a judge and critic to the study of Scripture
Dont come as a consumer, looking to be entertained and have your wish
dreams fulfilled
Dont come as a casual observer
Dont come as an indifferent bystander
o Come like this: Give me the Book. God, show me yourself in your Word.
Show me my sin and need. And show me our Savior. Burn in my heart.
o Notice they burning is over the truth in the Scriptures not the teacher
himself (though he was important!).
iv. Celebration (33-35)
So what happens next is that they have to tell someone.
This pair is kind of funny. They remind me of the four guys in 2 Kings 7, This is
the day of good news. We must go tell it. Evangelism has been described as one
beggar telling another beggar where to find food.
But I feel a bit sorry for them. After they finally put the pieces together, Jesus
vanishes! Then as they go to tell it, someone steal their thunder. He already
appeared to Peter by the time they went all the way back to Jerusalem!
You can imagine them saying, So how should we tell them? Should we be
discrete? Should we say, Guess who we had dinner with? Or should we just
go right in, Hes alive! But they get there, and the disciples say, Its true!
Hes alive! And theyre like, Aw man, that was our story.
But the reality is the resurrection wasnt just their story, it was everyones story.
And the same is true now, this is our story. This is our song.
We dont know how everything happened here. Did they sit around and share
stories. Did the ladies say, See we told you! Did they order a pizza? (Should
we go pick it up or should we have the donkey bring it? (Ht: Begg).
But one thing is for sure, they celebrated! Sadness gave way to joy.
3. Proclaim the Good News to the Nations: Jesus is the King of the Glory and Grace (36-
52)
For the sake of time, let me move quickly through this last section briefly.
A. Jesus Gives Us Hope for the Future (36-43)
Jesus appears again, and says to them, Peace to you! The disciples are alarmed, and thus,
Jesus tells the disciples to not be troubled but to see and touch. He is physically present.
We believe in a bodily resurrection.
Notice verse 41, what a curious little phrase disbelieving for joy. It was too good to be
true! Can this really be? Kent Hughes says, "They were in the wacky state of giddy
disbelieflike football fans whose team just scored as time ran out to win the game." In
other words, they were like Auburn fans. I could listen to that announcer all day...
Jesus then asks them for some fish. You can work up an appetite rising from the dead and
walking 7 miles! And he ate it. Luke is pressing on us again, the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
Application: For everyone searching for hope, notice what that this passage (and the rest
of the Bible) shows us about the future (Ht: Keller). Why were they giddy with joy? They're
view of the future changed.
i.
The future is there. Something really happens when you die.
You dont just become plant food when you die. You dont just become part
of the circle of life, you know, fertilizer.
You dont just cease to exist. There is a future. Epicurus said when you die,
then thats it. So dont be afraid. Wrong.
Some people believed in an afterlife, but it was shadowy, and vague.
But if you talk to the eyewitnesses, they would tell you that the future is
there.
ii. The future is personal.
Jesus shows us that relationships continue.
This is hopeful. The one thing people do not want is to lose their loved ones.
And the resurrection says in Christ, we dont.
Jesus knows the disciples after the resurrection. He says, It is me. Touch me.
Look at my wounds.
iii. The future is certain.
How can we know its certain? This is important. You can be told that the
future exists and that its personal, but you cant be sure. It wont comfort
you if you can be sure of it.
Luther said suffering is intolerable if you arent certain of your salvation.
How do we know? Because Jesus rose from the dead! He is our guarantee
we are in Him. Paul said we have been raised with him. He also says that
Jesus is the firstfruits. His resurrection ensures all believers that they too will
be raised from the dead.
iv. The future is unimaginably wonderful.
Life doesnt end when you die. You can know that your future is certain and
that it is unimaginably wonderful.
Everything we have always longed for we will know.
This life is as close to hell that we will have. Soon, we will be with Christ. And
if we fast forward to the final part of the Bible, we find that glory is coming.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of
glory beyond all comparison.
The resurrection is more than consolation for what youve lost; its the
restoration of what you lost. You dont just get the body you had back, you
get the body you always wanted back. You dont just get your life back, you
get the life you always wanted back (Keller).
You will miss nothing. There will be a wedding (for those who never get
married, or have been in bad marriage); restoration is coming. The future is
unimaginably wonderful.
No one can offer this hope to people. And its based on the historicity of the resurrection.
Dont you want this?
B. Jesus Gives Us a Mission that Matters (44-49)
Jesus does another Bible study, reiterating what he just said to the Emmaus disciples. The
Bible focuses on the Messiah (44). Then he opened their minds (45) theres another
theme reiterated; God opens up our eyes.
Then we read of the mission. Here it is:
ii. What We Proclaim (46-47)
Its from the Scriptures, it is written
Its about the Son his crucifixion and resurrection. In the book of Acts the
resurrection dominates the preaching of the apostles. That message turned the
world upside down.
Its involves a call to repentance turning from sin to a life of righteousness
Its an offer of total forgiveness in Jesus
ii. To Whom We Proclaim It (47)
We proclaim the good news to the nations!
From Buffalo to Bangladesh.
Last week: Pastor Dans dad became a believer. He was embarrassed by his son
when he wanted to go into the ministry. He told everyone that his son worked for
NASA. But then he became a believer and Dan baptized him. His dad is still a
little rough around the edges, he even asked if he could be baptized in his
Budweiser shorts. And later if they could sell beer at the Bills games to raise
money for the new building. But what a story.
iii. The Power by Which We Proclaim It (49)
It also fascinates and challenges me when I read this. The disciples had the best three-year
degree they could have, but they lacked something: power.
What do we need to proclaim the good news to our friends? We need the Spirits power.
The King of Glory (50-53)
Finally, the story ends with the ascension of Jesus and the joy of the disciples. It started
with sadness, but it ends in joy.
Some have interpreted over the years that Psalm 24 is speaking of the ascension; of how all
of heavens host welcomed Him back. Who is this King of glory?... Open up the doors, that
the King of glory may come in.
Jesus is the King to end all Kings. He has conquered our greatest enemies of sin and death;
He is the promised King of the Old Testament; and He is the King of the Nations; the King
of glory and Grace.
How to respond to the King?
Trust Him.
Adore Him.
Ask Great Things of Him.
Obey Him.
Lets tell our friends about this King.