The Victory of the Cross

This story is a testimony to how our God desires us to know what we believe and why. Jesus could have just shown who He was and that would be the end of it. Who is going to argue with God when He has shown you that He is God? Our heavenly Father not only desires to gives us the power of the cross and its saving ability, He also desires that we experience the fullness of its truth and how it brings victory into our lives. So many religions want their followers to remain ignorant and just blindly obey, which in reality does not lead to freedom and victory, instead it leads to bondage and monotony.

Luke 24:13–35  And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. “But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.”

  

This encounter that Christ has with two of His disciples communicates some tremendous truths that our God wants us to understand.

Truth #1 - God wants you to know what you believe

Lk 24:13-19 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people

Jesus chose not to let these men know who He was or what He knew.  This should help us understand why so much of Scripture it is not black and white statements. To be sure the large issues of theology are; Salvation, the Trinity and so on. However so much of what God wants us to know and understand is left for us to study, to digest and have ownership of. This shows that our God not only wants obedience, which He does, but he wants His followers to know what they believe and why.

Truth #2 - God wants honest faith - No half gospels

Lk 24:25-26 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”

Today, so much of the church desires only a partial Gospel. They love the idea of being joint heirs with Christ, “children of the King”, and access to the throne of God, which of course includes all of his resources. This is true but it is not complete, for the whole Gospel is not just identifying with Christ in His resurrection but also in His suffering. Jesus makes it clear to these two disciples that they need to understand the whole picture of the Messiah. Yes, He will rule and reign, but first He must suffer and die.  Our God wants us to understand the complete picture, for if we are to give ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, he knows we must count the cost, those that don't, do not finish the race.

Truth #3 - Only God can open up our heart

Lk 24:27, 32 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures…They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

We must remember no matter how much study we do, or even memorizing Scripture, it is God and God alone that illuminates our understanding. The two disciples express it well, that their hearts were  “burning” as Christ explained the Scriptures. This is the key for us also; we must never place confidence in our own intellect, for when we do we will become Pharisees.

Truth #4 - You have to want to abide with Him

Lk 24:28-31, 35 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight…They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

This last truth is so important. There is no reason for us to believe that Christ would not have left them except for the fact that they urged Him to remain with them. Our relationship with God is secure because of the resurrection, however fellowship is an ongoing process, and much of it depends on us. The more we desire to be with Him the more He will be with us. So many Christians who complain to me about having a non-victorious life fail to see that they do not abide in God. They visit Him whenever it suits them, but that will not produce a deep intimate relationship, only a religion. When we urge Christ to abide with us He is delighted to do so and the fruit of that will be experiencing a victorious fellowship that produces much character fruit. God loves fellowshipping with His family. Do you?