Luke 24:13-35Jesus Seeks Us Even During Our Discouragement (Luke 24:13-24)
a. God’s purpose is gradually revealed to us in order that we learn certain lessons. (v.16)
b. God’s promises can be trusted even when our emotions cause us to fear. (vv. 21-24)
Jesus Shows Himself During Our Desperation (Luke 24:25-32)
a. We see Jesus more clearly when we are able to push through distractions and devote time with Jesus. (vv. 29-32) Much of Jesus’ teaching and restoration ministry was done around a table of food. In fact you see that later in this chapter too. Ministry is meant to be simple. Maybe that’s why God is breaking away all of these distractions so that we will be devoted to Him.
Remember what happened to the Israelites recorded in Numbers 21. The Israelites became disobedient to God so God placed serpents out and they killed many of the Israelites. Moses asked God to take the serpents away, so God told Moses to place a serpent on a pole, whoever looks at the serpent will live. Whoever looks to Jesus for eternal life will live eternally. By the way, the serpent on the pole is the symbol of the medical professional today. It’s funny how we see God’s symbols of healing throughout a society that wants nothing to do with Him. Samaritan’s Purse has several mobile field medical hospitals and has been ready to respond to this latest crisis. NY City asked them not to come because of their evangelical beliefs. People may die because they will not take the care of our Savior.
b. Sometimes God is waiting for us to be obedient before He reveals His direction for our future. (v.32) This means spend time with Christ! He will bless you. Don’t allow your circumstances to be a sign of how much God loves you! He loves you! Be obedient and follow Him. Moses, Joseph, Samson, Daniel, and Paul, all learned more in prison than they did in the palace.
Jesus is Shared During Our Delight (Luke 24:33-35)
Another record of Jesus’ disciples spending time with Him after the resurrection is found in Acts chapter 1, also written by Luke. Jesus spent forty days preparing the apostles after the resurrection to continue His ministry. We see in Acts 1:3 that Jesus presented himself alive as proof. Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 15:6 that Jesus appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time after the resurrection. Jesus gives them instructions in Acts 1:4. Listen to Acts 1:4 “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;” Anytime God asks us to stay put, He has something very special planned. I believe God has something special planned for His us right now. Delight in Him! Share Him!
I want us to see this delight in Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,…”
a. God’s Providence. Delight in God’s providence. They received power because they were obedient to God’s placement, Jerusalem, His providence. God has this whole thing rigged! You are where you are for your good and God’s glory! Something big is going to happen!
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,..”
b. God’s Power. Delight in God’s Power. This is the supernatural ability to shine for Christ even in the worst of circumstances.
c. God’s Purpose. Delight in God’s Purpose. What is God’s purpose for your life? Is it that you are to be healthy, wealthy, and wise? No, that’s an unbiblical spin on the American dream. God’s purpose is that we delight in Him. “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” We are to share that joy and hope of the forgiveness and resurrection everywhere we go!
This is walking in light of the resurrection. Sure we’ll be discouraged, sure we’ll be desperate, oh but there will be days of delight, especially eternally for those in Jesus Christ.