Mary Magdalene had come to the
disciples as an eyewitness of the resurrection of Christ. And when she came to them with
this message, the scripture says they didn't believe her. the women who had heard from
the angels sitting in the tomb. You'll remember the angels said,
why seek ye him that liveth among the dead? And I am giving my
own take on it. What's wrong with you? He's not
here. He told you he would raise from
the dead. Why seek ye him that liveth among the dead? And when
they came to the 11, With this message, Luke's account says
their words sing to them as idle tales and they believed them
not. We read in verse 14 of Mark chapter
16. Afterward, he appeared under
the 11, as they said at meat and upbraided them with their
unbelief. and hardness of heart because
they believe not them, which had seen him after he was risen.
We're going to consider that verse Lord willing next week,
but we see the unbelief of the apostles. And what that lets
me know is that no matter how reliable the testimony is, we
will not believe unless God gives us the grace to believe. Don't
think you would be, let me not think I would be any different
than them. Faith is impossible for the natural man. Faith is
the gift of God's grace. By grace are you saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves, it's the gift of God, not of
works, lest any man should boast. Now, look once again in verse
12, After that, he appeared in another
form unto two of them as they walked and went out into the
country. And this is what is known as
the walk to the Emmaus on the road to Emmaus. We read the details
of it in Luke chapter 24, and we're going to read those because
I think every believer just loves that passage of scripture. I
know they do. And when they had heard that
he was alive, they were eyewitnesses. The Lord appeared to them physically.
They didn't believe them, but let's go to Luke chapter 24,
where we get a detailed look as to what took place at that
time. I believe these two were a part
of the 120. that met together in Acts chapter
one. They were not a part of the 12, but they were certainly
a part of the 120 disciples that were left after the Lord was
raised from the dead. Now, in Luke chapter 24, beginning
in verse 13, and behold, two of them went
that same day, that Sunday, the day the Lord was raised from
the dead. And behold, two of them went
that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem,
about three score furlongs, about seven miles away, a seven mile
walk, a leisurely walk that would take four, five hours, a fast
walk. Somebody could cover it a lot
quicker than that. But they were walking to Emmaus
verse 14, and they talked together of all these things, which had
happened. They talked about the Lord being
crucified. They talked about hearing that
he was raised from the dead. They weren't sure of it, but
they heard that from the witnesses and they were talking about these
things, discussing these things. Verse 15, and it came to pass
that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew
near and went with them. Now, they didn't know who he
was at this time. The scripture says their eyes were holding,
and I know the Lord prevented them from knowing who he was,
but I think at first, as they were walking, he walked close
by silently, listening to what they were Satan. But their eyes,
verse 16, were holding that they should not know him. Now the
reason they didn't know him is because the Lord prevented them
from knowing him. He was the one holding their
eyes so that they did not recognize him at this time. And now the
Lord speaks up And he said unto them, what manner of communications
are these that you have one to another as you walk and are sad?
He could see these men were devastated over what took place. They didn't
understand what took place and they were very sad. And the Lord
acknowledges that as he interjects his words at this time. Verse
18, and one of them, whose name was Cleopas, Answering, said
unto him, art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and has not known
the things which are come to pass there in these days. And
you know, I can't help, but think the Lord probably smiled when
he heard him say that he knew exactly what to take
him about. And he heard what they were saying. They say this
to him and I can just see him smiling at that time. And he said unto them, what things?
Well, he knew what things, but he's going to have him say. And
he said unto them, what things? And they said unto him concerning
Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty indeed and word
before God and all the people. Now there's only one problem
with that statement. Did you catch that? Was. He is. He is. He is the eternal I am
that I am. So what they said did not measure
up to the excellency and the glory of this one whom they were
walking with. They didn't know. We thought
he was a prophet, mighty indeed. and in word before God and the
people. And how the chief priests and
our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and have crucified
him. Now, once again, what they said
was partially right, but totally wrong. Who delivered him? Him being delivered by the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge of God. You have taken and with
wicked hands have crucified and slain. Now these men were used
by God to fulfill his purpose. He that spared not his own son,
but delivered him up for us all. How shall he not with him also
freely give us all things? They were half right and totally
wrong. It was God who delivered him
up to this. Verse 21, but we trusted. Evidently our trust was misplaced.
We trusted that it had been he which had have redeemed Israel. Now they were looking for a political
kingdom. They thought, we thought he would
bring us back into power. And even when the Lord ascended
back into glory, the disciples were thinking things of that
nature. And they thought, we thought he was going to redeem
Israel and bring it back to its place of glory. And don't think
of redemption in that light. that we're getting a better place.
Every time we use the word redemption, it ought to be with all, and
it ought to be with reverence. His mighty redemption of his
people. But they were still confused,
but you know, the Lord graciously comes to them, doesn't he? Aren't
you thankful for that? He graciously comes to these
two people, Confused. I don't know what else to say.
Disciples. But we trusted that he, which
had have redeemed Israel. And besides all this, today's
the third day since these things were done. Yay. And certain women
also of our company made us astonished. When we were early, which were
early at the sepulcher, and when they found out his body, they
came saying that he had also been seen by a vision of angels,
which said that he was alive. Now, should they have been astonished
by this? Should they have been? How many times did the Lord tell
them, I'm going to be crucified, and I'm gonna be raised from
the dead? Numerous. As a matter of fact, that very
last night, he told them this was going to take place, but
somehow, it didn't register. How many times has divine truth
just not registered with me? Simple, I just don't see. They just did not see. Now here is the title of the
message. Then said he unto them, oh fools, and slow of heart, to
believe all that the prophets have spoken. Now, the Lord loves
these people he's speaking to. They were his children. They
were believers. And yet at this time, he addresses
them as fools and slow of heart to believe. Unbelief is the greatest sin. It is the mother of all other
sins. And unbelief in a believer, we
understand it, we still have a sinful nature, but that doesn't
make it any less evil. I know that if I said to you, I'm guilty of a great sin. Everybody would be tingling,
wondering what is it that he's done. And if I said, I'm guilty
of unbelief, you'd be relieved. Well, I'm glad it's that, not
something really bad. That demonstrates how ignorant
we are with regard to this thing of unbelief. Oh, fools. and slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken. What were they slow to believe? All that the prophets had spoken. And notice he said slow of heart.
He didn't say slow of mind. This is not talking about IQ,
but they were slow of heart to believe all things which were
spoken by the prophets. What am I required to believe?
All things that are spoken by the prophets. You know, one of
the reasons I have such a disdain for these church documents that try to explain
everything we believe, they'll spend 300 pages telling you what
they think the Bible says, And then you say, why do you do that?
Well, the Bible's a big book. We need an abbreviation, an abbreviated,
concise statement with regard to what we believe. The Bible's
only got one message. That's not complicated. Now,
it's awesome, it's glorious, but there's only one message
in the scriptures. And this thought of having these
documents and confessions and so on, Man, trying to take the
place of the Bible, that's wrong as it can be. I don't care what
anybody says, that is just wrong. We have the word of God. We do
not need anything else. Now, slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken. The Lord said in John 5, 39,
you search the scriptures. In them, you think you have eternal
life. And if I thought what they thought, I'd probably need a
confession too. But he wipes all that away when he says, they
are they which testify of me. Every scripture testifies of
him. Now look what he says in verse
26. Ought not Christ. And that word ought is, was it
not necessary? Was it not necessary? That's
the word. Was it not necessary for Christ to have suffered these
things and to enter into his glory? Now, why was it necessary
for him to suffer these things? And you know, I love the way
the scripture, every time it talks about the sufferings of
Christ, it's actually very understated. It doesn't go into great detail
of the physical sufferings of Christ. I've heard preachers
go into great detail as to what took place, and I wouldn't in
any way dismiss the importance of what took place, but if we
put just emphasis on the physical sufferings, we're missing what
took place. The scriptures are so understated.
He was crucified. That's the scriptural testimony.
He was crucified. We get into all these different
descriptions of it. He was crucified. And the Lord
said it ought not Christ to have suffered these things. and to enter into His glory.
Now, why was it necessary for Him to suffer these things? And
why was it necessary for Him to enter into His glory? Answer's
real simple. The Bible said He would. The Bible said He would. Isaiah 53, He was wounded for
our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace
was upon Him. With his stripes, we're healed.
The Bible said he would. It was necessary because this
is God's eternal purpose. Revelation 13, eight calls him
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. And God, I love
saying this, God made the universe for this to take place. the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It was necessary because it was God's eternal purpose for him
to suffer and accomplish salvation for his people. And thirdly,
it was necessary because the justice of God demanded it. Please
hear this carefully. When Christ was on the cross,
it was not the innocent being put to death. God said, I will
by no means clear the guilty. The sins of God's elect became
his sins. Now I have to say that he didn't
ever commit a sin. Even when he was made sin, he
never committed a sin. Or was he? He was made sin. And he was made guilty. And when
he was dying on Calvary's tree, it was not the innocent being
punished. My sin became his sin so that he became guilty of the
commission of my sin. And the justice and wrath of
God slew him because he's guilty. God said, I'll by no means. Listen
to that, Exodus 34, I think it's verse six or seven. I will by
no means, under no circumstance whatsoever, will I ever clear
the guilty. And Christ was guilty. And it was necessary for him
to enter glory because sin was paid for. Because justice was
satisfied. His justification was accomplished.
And it was demanded that he enter into glory because he fully glorified
the Father. He finished the work the Father
gave him to do. He said in John 17 4, I have
glorified thee on the earth. That's over. I have finished
the work thou gavest me to do. Every single one of the elect
were saved. Their sins put away, He must
enter into His glory. And then verse 27, and beginning
at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them. Now that
word expounded, every other place it's used in the scripture, it's
translated interpreted. Now here is the key to interpreting
the scriptures. Now what's meant by that word
interpretation? Simply this, here's how you know what they
mean. Here's how you know what they
mean. Now look what he said. And beginning
at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all
the scriptures, all the scriptures, the things concerning himself.
Now how long did this message last? I don't know, but wouldn't
you have loved to heard it? I doubt that they were thinking,
boy, he's going awful long. What a message this must have
been. He began with Moses. I am the promised seed that will
crush the serpent's head. I am Abel's more excellent sacrifice
that actually made Abel righteous to where the God of glory actually
respected him. Now, something must be infinitely
glorious for God to respect it. And the scripture says God respected
Abel and his offering. That's what the blood of the
Lord Jesus Christ does. He said, I'm that ark. Everybody
in me saved. Everybody outside of me is judged. I am the blessing of Abraham
to all nations. I'm Melchizedek. I brought the
bread and the wine. I'm the greater that blessed
Abraham, the lesser. I am the lamb of God's providing. God shall provide himself a lamb
for a burnt offering. I'm that lamb. I am the man who
wrestled with Jacob. And Jacob said, I will not let
you go except you bless me. He had to have the blessing of
this man. I am the one that Joseph's life
typifies every event, everything that took place. Amen. You meant it for evil. He said to his brothers, but
God meant it for good. What a statement with regard
to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. You meant it for evil,
but God meant it for good. I am the one who spoke to Moses
from the burning bush. I am the Passover lamb. It was my blood of whom God said,
when I see the blood, he's talking about the blood of his son, When
I see the blood, I will pass over you. I am the tabernacle
in the wilderness. That badger skin represented
my flesh that covered up the Shekinah glory and presence of
God. I am the great high priest with
the names of the children of Israel engraven on my breast.
And I'm the scapegoat on the day of atonement when the high
priest put his hands on the goat. Sin was transferred. I am the
scapegoat. I'm the brazen serpent. Everybody that looked to me who
was bitten lived. I am the prophet like unto Moses. I'm the scarlet line in the window. that saved Rahab and all of her
family. That's me. I am the captain of the Lord
of hosts that appeared to Joshua. I'm that angel that appeared
to Manoah and his wife. I am Samson who saved Israel
by his death. You remember that? He went into
the temple and More people were killed by his death than by his
life, and he delivered all of Israel. I am the kinsman redeemer
through whom David came. I'm David's Lord. I'm David's
son. I'm the one who killed Goliath.
To picture that I am The victor, salvation comes because of what
I did. All Israel is saved because of
what I did by myself. I am Solomon, the builder of
the temple. I am the speaker in all the Psalms. Every Psalm you read, it's Christ
speaking first. I am the preacher in the book
of Ecclesiastes. I am the lover in the Song of
Solomon. I am the subject of the prophets. To him give all the prophets
witness. I am the Lord high and lifted
up that Isaiah saw. I am Jehovah Sidkenu, the Lord
our righteousness. That's my righteousness. I am
the one who gives the new heart. Now, I don't know how long this
message lasted, but I'm sure they were just astounded as they
listened to the Lord make the scriptures known to them. Now, to fail to see Christ in
any scripture is to miss its meaning altogether. That's so,
isn't it? I love what Paul said. I've determined
not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified. I don't care what scripture it
is. If it doesn't end up with Jesus Christ and him crucified,
you've missed it. Somebody says, what about, what
about nothing? That's why Paul said, I've determined not to
know anything among you. Not to even esteem it as important,
save Jesus Christ and him crucified. He expounded unto them in all
the scriptures the things concerning himself. And as they drew nigh
unto the village, whither they went, he made as though he would
have gone further. Now, he didn't intend to go further.
He was in control of this. But he is going to treat them
in such a way as they're gonna ask him to stay. They're gonna
ask him to stay. What did they do? But they constrained
him, saying, abide with us, for it's toward evening, and the
day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with
them. Oh, how they were astounded by everything he had said, and
they loved everything he said. Now, this is interesting. They
didn't yet know he was the Lord, but they loved everything he
said. their hearts were burning as he was opening to them the
scriptures. And they loved the message they
were hearing. Verse 30, and it came to pass,
as he sat at meat with them, something strange happened. The guest became the host. He came to eat with them, but
who's the one doing the serving? And this is the same language
used with regard to the Lord's table. The same language. You see, in our relationship
with the Lord, He's always the host. He's always the giver. We are the receivers. You know,
when the Lord said it's more blessed to give than to receive,
He's the more blessed. He is the giver. All we are is
receivers. So the guest becomes the host. And the scripture says, And it
came to pass, verse 30, as he sat at me with them, he took
bread and blessed it and break it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened. All of a sudden they see This
is the Lord Jesus Christ. He's been with us all this time.
He's been making known to us the scriptures. Their eyes were
opened. Now understand this, me and you
are not gonna understand the scriptures unless He opens our
eyes. Look in verse 44 of this same
chapter. And he said unto them, these
are the words which I spake unto you while I was yet with you,
that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law
of Moses and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning
me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the
scriptures. I love the simplicity of this.
You know when you're gonna understand the scriptures? When he opens
your understanding. You know why I'm gonna understand the
scriptures? When he opens my understanding. What a blessed
thing when he opens our eyes and we see who he is. Now understand this about saving
faith, the most outstanding thing about saving faith is you know
who he is. That's the chief thing, knowing
who he is. You know the thief, he knew who
he was, didn't he? Lord, remember me. He knew he was the Lord. That's
what saving faith is. It's knowing who he is. Everything comes out of that. And their eyes were opened and
they knew him and he vanished out of their sight. Now, when their eyes were opened,
they knew him. I love the scripture. This is
eternal life. That they might know thee, the
only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. And he vanished out of their
sight, verse 32, and they said one to another, did not our heart within us, while he talked with
us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures. What a good heartburn when he opens the scriptures. Isn't it? There isn't anything
that is on this earth that is good as this, Him opening the
scriptures. Oh, the Bible, God's holy word
that testifies of Him. Did not our hearts burn within
us? When He shows us His beauty,
heartburn. When He shows us the glory of
His attributes, Heartburn. When he shows us the glory of
the accomplishments of the cross and how we're complete in him
and how all sin is put away and that I stand before God justified
without sin, without guilt, perfect in Christ Jesus. Heartburn. When he shows me that I'm accepted,
I'm accepted. I'm accepted in the beloved. Heartburn. You know, if he accepts me, I
don't care if no man accepts me. Do you? Really. If you're
accepted by him, what else do you care about? When he lets us know it is finished,
when he shows us himself, heartburn. This book, is a closed book until
He opens it up. And when He opens it up, just
like these men said, how did our hearts burn within us? Verse 33, and they rose up the
same hour. Now remember, they had been walking
seven miles with the Lord, and they had sat down and the Lord
had preached to them and opened it into the scriptures, but as
soon as he vanished, you know what they wanted to do? They
wanted to get back to Jerusalem, didn't they? And I bet this seven
mile walk, I dare say it didn't take them very long. I bet they
got there very quick. And they rose up the same hour,
and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together,
and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed,
and hath appeared to Simon. I don't really know what this
is referring to because it doesn't appear to me to be Simon at this
time, Simon Peter, because he did appear to him later. Maybe the other guy's name was
Simon and this was Cleopas talking. It might have been Simon Peter
or it might have been some other Simon. I don't know, but he appeared
and here's what they did. And they told what things were
done in the way and how he was known of them in breaking of
bread. And what is amazing, and it's
not really amazing, it's not really amazing, when they came
with this glorious message, Mark tells us, they didn't believe
it. They didn't believe. In Matthew chapter 28, verse
17, It says, when they saw him, they
worshiped and some doubted. They saw him and worshiped and
some doubted. Do you know the pronoun some
is not in the original? And I've asked several people
to make that no Greek, I don't, I can get through with helps,
but I've called a few people to find out. And they said, no,
it's not there. It's not there. They saw, they
worshiped and they doubted. Lord, I believe. Help thou mine
unbelief. That's always there. So am I hard on these fellas?
No, because I would have been one of them too. You don't believe
until he makes himself known to you. That is when you believe,
when he makes himself known through his word. Let's pray. Lord, we ask in Christ's name
that you would be to us what you were to those two men. Lord, we're dull and slow of heart to believe.
And Lord, we know that's wrong. We know that's sinful. But we
ask that you would exercise with us the pity and patience and
revelation you had with them so that we might know thee. Reveal yourself to us through
your word. And Lord, give us this heartburn
that only you can give. Bless these words for Christ's
sake. In his name we pray. Amen.