“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So, he went in to stay with them.When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:28-32 NIV
What Causes us to Not Recognize Jesus in our Lives?
- Our busyness
“They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.” Luke 24:14 NIV
- Our blindness
“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.” Luke 24:15-16 NIV
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” Luke 24:25 NIV
- Our disappointments, grief, and sorrow
“He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Luke 24:17-18 NIV
- Our agendas
“The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” Luke 24:20-21 NIV
- Our pessimism
“In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.” Luke 24:22-23 NIV
What Causes us to Recognize Jesus?
- Believethat He wants you to not just know about Him, but to truly know Him and experience Him
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 NIV
We experience Him when Heopens our hearts and our minds
We experience Him when we open our hearts and our minds
- Rememberthat Jesus shows up when we gather together
“For where two or three gathers in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV
– Community
– The word
– Breaking bread together
We experience Him when we open upour lives to others