Third Sunday of Easter

 Sermon Text: Luke 24:13-25

 Other Readings: Acts 2:14a,32-41 and 1 Peter 1:17-21


 

  1. These two disciples had been hoping that Jesus “was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (v. 21). What kind of redemption might they have had in mind? According to 1 Peter 1:18,19, what kind of redemption should they have had in mind?
     
  2. Verses 30 and 31 tell us, “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.” (NIV) Commentators debate whether these verbs are a reference to Holy Communion. What do you think? Was Holy Communion happening here?
     
  3. “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v. 27 NIV). Can you think of a passage or two from Moses and/or the prophets (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) which predicted Jesus, especially his suffering and then exaltation?
     
  4. The disciples recognized that their hearts were burning within them as Christ explained the Scriptures to them. Have you ever had a time when you were studying or hearing the Scriptures and a joyful excitement began to really burn within you? If so, recount it.

 

  1. It’s hard to read these disciples’ minds, but it seems like they might have been focused on some kind of earthly redemption, perhaps freedom from Roman rule or some golden age of united Judaism. According to St. Peter, who wrote a few decades later, these disciples should have been looking for Jesus to buy them back from slavery to the empty way of life that is dominated by sin, Satan, and death. Jesus’ redemption is a spiritual one of soul and body, not just freedom for the body here on earth.
     
  2. We probably should not answer with too much certainty, but Pastor Voss is of the opinion that we most likely should not see Holy Communion being celebrated here. Taking bread, saying a prayer of thanks, and then distributing it in broken pieces wasn’t an uncommon way of eating. If St. Luke is trying to allude to something here, he is perhaps trying to get us to recall Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand which expresses similar language. The big thing in this account is simply that at this point the disciples were able to recognize the risen Lord.
     
  3. The answers are many, but perhaps the best example would be from Isaiah chapter 53. The Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are clearly centered on Christ.
     
  4. Answers will vary based on personal experience. While we should be careful of emphasizing feelings over plain faith, we should also be careful that we don’t minimize the power of the gospel to effect powerful spiritual emotions within us. The good news about Christ’s resurrection gives us great joy!