There are questions we each need to ask:

• Have we lost our sense of excitement, our sense of urgency in sharing the gospel of Jesus with others?
• Have we allowed ourselves to become ashamed of the gospel message of the risen Savior?
• Are we praying, asking God to give us gospel appointments to give an answer to those who might ask us the reason behind our HOPE?

See the excitement of a husband and his wife on the days shortly following the crucifixion of Jesus.

“They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning with us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” (The Gospel According to Luke 24: 32 NASB)

See the urgency of a husband and his wife after they recognized Jesus, after their eyes were opened to see the truth of Christ.

“And they got up at 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,”  (The Gospel According to Luke 24: 33 NASB)

See the boldness of a husband and his wife when their hearts burned within them, when the Savior revealed Himself as He broke bread with them in their home.

“They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.” (The Gospel According to Luke 24: 35 NASB)

Might there be additional questions we need to ask:

• What part of our lives do we need to invite Jesus into today?
• Which part of ourselves have we given to Jesus in service, in order reach others for Christ?
• Where in our schedules have we allowed Jesus room?

Have risen from the grave, Jesus’ schedule was wide-open.

• What does the risen Savior do after His encounter with Mary Magdalene outside the tomb?
• Where does the Son of God go when He leaves the tomb?

When Cleopas and his wife were on the road to Emmaus on the days following the crucifixion, Jesus was walking there on that same road, in that same place.  This encounter was unexpected (to say the least).  In fact, this husband and wife did not recognize the Savior.

“But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.” (The Gospel According to Luke 24:16 NASB)

There was a time of questions, for this couple could not believe that this “stranger” could not know what had just happened in Jerusalem, how Jesus the Nazarene had been crucified.  They relayed to this “stranger” between Jerusalem and Emmaus how they had hoped Jesus might be the One sent to redeem Israel, and how all hope now seemed lost—since Jesus was now dead (or so they thought).

• Is it not strange how we still live in a world surrounded by those who believe God is dead?  &
• Is it also not strange how those who have met Jesus and accepted Him as Savior remain quiet about their faith, when there is a world of lost individuals surrounding them?

Our Homes.  Our Workplaces.  Our Relationships.  Our Families.  Our Communities.  Our Schedules.  Our Hearts.  These are the places where we are to give to the Lord.  Isn’t it sobering to consider how this couple who was “about seven miles from Jerusalem” could have lived the rest of their lives wondering who was the “stranger” they met on the road—If they had not invited Him in that night?

What is a true Christian?

• A Christian is someone who has chosen to commit his life day-by-day to Christ.
• A Christian is one who has been changed, transformed by the Holy Spirit, who takes up residence in the person’s heart.  &
• A Christian is an individual who has accepted the challenge of Jesus’ call to daily deny oneself, his selfish desires, and to take up his cross and follow Jesus.
• A Christian is a person who invites others to open their hearts to the Savior Jesus Christ.

The question becomes:  Are you and I truly living as we should?

• BUT, Cleopas and his wife DID INVITE INTO THEIR HOME THIS “STRANGER.”
• BUT, this couple DID SHARE TIME WITH THIS “STRANGER,” LISTENING TO HIM TEACH THE SCRIPTURES.
• AND, they DID SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE WITH THIS “STRANGER.”

• See the excitement of a husband and his wife on the days shortly following the crucifixion of Jesus.  &
• See the urgency after they recognized Jesus, after their eyes were opened to see the truth of Christ.
• May we See this couple’s boldness when their hearts burned within them as Jesus revealed Himself to them.

IT IS TRUE!

THE LORD HAS RISEN!

May we become filled with Excitement, May we know the Urgency of telling others, & May we be Bold in our faith as we share the Good News of JESUS with others who need to hear our story of how our eyes were opened to the TRUTH of GOD.