Title: Discovering Jesus Real In Your Life
Bible Book: Luke 24 : 36-53
Author: Kenneth Hendricks
Subject: Easter; Risen Lord; Christ, Personal
Objective:
Introduction
Why is it so many people say they've met Christ, yet there seems to be no real enthusiasm or excitement over this meeting? I believe it comes from an experience much like the one in our text today.
Let's look just a little further back in the story to see what has happened.
“...they talked together of all these things which had happened.” vs. 14. The Bible says they talked about the Lord.
“...Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Vs. 15. Jesus came to them and began to walk with them.
I guess one of the most puzzling statements is the one in vs. 17: “...What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” The sadness indicated here is one of distrust.
Look at vs. 2:1: “...we trusted...”
But look what Jesus says back to them in vs. 25” “...O fools, and slow of heart to believe...”
The truth is we say we trust when in reality we don't! Why is this? I believe it's because we've not discovered Jesus real in our lives. We've either been coaxed by the pastor or friends to receive Christ, or we've tried Jesus as a quick fix for some problem we're facing - this won't work!
Look at vs. 22-24: “Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.”
Now look at verse 31: “Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.”
There are two very important things happen here “...their eyes were opened...” and ...they knew him..., but then in vs. 32 we read, “Did not our heart burn ... when he opened to us the scriptures?”
There's a difference between talking to Jesus and having Jesus talk to you - between hearing about Jesus and hearing Jesus - between believing in Jesus and receiving Him as Lord. There are three tests today to see if you know Jesus real in your life.
I. He's The Cure For Emotional Despair
John 20:11-16
A. She Was Depressed, Vs. 11
“...weeping.” vs. 11.
This woman was so depressed that seeing two angels didn't even disturb her. Sometimes we think we need a miracle to help us. A miracle didn't help Mary and I doubt it will help you. What did help Mary?
B. She Was Devastated, Vs. 16
“...Mary...” vs. 16.
With that one word Mary was completely shattered. It wasn't a solemn “...Mary...” and her reply was“...Rabboni...” It was her Master alive! After that we see Jesus had to literally peel her off of Himself. The term “...Touch me not...” in the Greek says, "Don't cling to Me this way! I haven't gone yet!"
One test for when Jesus appeared to you is did you begin to feel an emotional cure? Did you cling to Him? While it may be good to cling to the old rugged cross it'll be better to cling to Jesus.
Look what happened to these disciples:
Luke 24:37 ...terrified and affrighted
Luke 24:41 ...for joy and wondered
Some people walk through this world full of moodiness and despair in some far off valley of life. It may seem too good to be true that Jesus can cure this, but He did it for Mary and for these, and I believe He'll do it for you.
II. He's The Cure For Intellectual Doubt, Luke 24:45
A. He Made A Physical Change, Vs. 45
“...opened he their understanding...” vs. 45.
This isn't unusual. Everyone must experience Jesus personally! Thomas wasn't even trying, but when Christ came into his life he believed. And Thomas answered and said unto him, “My Lord and my God. John 20:28” Jesus cured his doubt.
Has Jesus cured your emotional despair? Has He cured your intellectual doubt?
B. He Made A Spiritual Change, Luke 24:45
“...they might understand the scriptures.”
Jesus didn't open their carnal minds, He opened their spiritual minds. I believe if you're a Christian and you're truly seeking God's answer in your life, it'll come. It may come as Paul's answer came: “...my grace if sufficient for you...”, but if those words come from God it will be the answer you need!
III. He's The Cure For Spiritual Defeat
A. Peter's Weakness Revealed, Matthew 26:33
“...yet will I never be offended.” vs. 33.
Look what Jesus told Peter: “...Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. vs. 34.”
Now Peter's reply “...Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee...”
Look at Matthew 26:69-74: Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
Peter was so weak that he let this little woman make him deny the Lord! Peter was weaker and more defeated than all the disciples put together.
I doubt if you and I will ever have to pass the tests that Peter had to go through.
Look again at his weakness in Luke 5:5: And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
Peter didn't believe Christ in his heart and it was revealed by the things he said from his lips.
B. Peter's Weakness Resolved, Acts 1:15-16; 2:14; 2:38; 4:18-20
Here was a man full of spiritual weakness and defeat - what happened to resolve his weakness? One simple thing. “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.” Luke 24:12 now look at Luke 24:34: “Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”
Somewhere between finding the empty tomb and the meal together Jesus had appeared to Peter, they had gotten together. I don't know what was said, but I know Jesus became real in Peter's life.
Have you had that quiet meeting with the risen Lord yet?
