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Week of 4/19/26

Luke 24:13-35

13Now on that same day [when Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene,] two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Questions

1. When things are bad, where do you go to “get yourself together”?

2. Why do you think the two are walking away from Jerusalem? Even after they heard rumors about Mary and Jesus?

3. What things do you imagine they were talking about? What tone to the conversation would it be?

4. They said “We had hoped.” What hopes were dashed? See vs 21. What had they imagine would have happened?

5. Why didn’t the two recognize Jesus when he joined them? Too preoccupied. Never looked him in the eye. Just could see?

6. When they heard the report about the empty tomb, what did they assume?

7. Why did Jesus begin with Moses and the prophets to explain what happened? What meaning would this have for them? How is the OT necessary to know Jesus?

8. What opened their eyes to Jesus. Where had Jesus acted in a way like this before?

9. Why did Jesus leave them?

10. Where is your “Road to Emmaus” the place where Jesus surprised you recently?

11. Have you ever felt like running away or throwing in the towel spiritually? What kept you in the faith?

12. What has helped you recognize Jesus walking alongside you when you are down spiritually?

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Week of 4-12-26

John 20:19-31

19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

  24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

  26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” 28Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

  30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Questions

1. Have you had the experience of not recognizing someone at first? What helped you finally recognize the person? Maybe it happens more about remembering a name.

2. What do you think the Gospel writer is saying in what it takes for the disciples to recognize Jesus? What’s going on here?

He came==no response

He stood among them==no response

He said, Peace==no response

He showed them==”Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

3. Why do you think the words, “Peace be with you.” Are so important? Why are these the first words Jesus says?

What were the reasons for the disciples

not feeling peace and needing assurance?

4. If you had been abandoned by your friends, tortured, and humiliated, what you have said on your return?

5. Do you know anyone like Thomas who doubts? Wants proof? What do you say?

6. What does this mean: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” What then is the basis for faith in the risen Christ? What gives you reason and assurance for faith?

7. Notice that when Thomas was alone, he could not believe, and that when he was with others, in community. What role does community, others, have for your faith?

8. The summary of the Gospel for John is this: “That you may have life in his name” What is the character of life you gain from Jesus? Or What is it about Christ that you cannot live without?