On the Road Good Shepherd Presbyterian Sermons (Charlotte, NC)
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- Christianity
TEXT: Luke 24:13-35SERVICE VIDEO (link)
Picture two people with real interest in the things of God. Nick grew up in and around the people of God, learning the scriptures, hearing the stories of old and how God desires for His people to live. He is the kind of person that brings his family to church and makes sure his children participate in the youth program. Tom got involved later in life, but eagerly participates in everything that’s going on. He’s the kind of person that attends Sunday school every week (even at 8:30!) and sings enthusiastically in church.
Each of them has a complaint, though. Nick is worn out from being thoroughly religious and just doesn’t find meaning or fulfillment in all the religious commitments. Tom, on the other hand, is excited about all the activities in which he participates, but isn’t sure he believes the message.
Are these two people unusual? I don’t think so… I think most of us can relate to one or both of them. And to be honest, they are kind of two sides of the same coin.
Knowing Without Seeing
Two people walked away from Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. They were not Nick and Tom, but they had a lot in common with them. The two walkers had been involved in the recent events during the week of Passover. They saw Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and were deeply saddened by his death. They had even heard that morning that his body was now missing. And they were deep in conversation about all that had happened.
Then a stranger walks up alongside them and involves himself in their conversation. He wants to know what they are discussing. They can’t believe that the stranger hasn’t heard about the recent events in Jerusalem. The stranger asks them to tell him about these things. So, with downcast faces, the two travelers describe Jesus of Nazareth.
“He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed…” they say. “We had hoped he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
They knew about Jesus. They knew something of the prophecies about a savior – a Messiah. They knew about the empty tomb. But these two travelers did not SEE Jesus for who he was. They didn’t see God’s “vision” for humanity. And so, even with Jesus himself standing there before them, they didn’t see.
In many ways, their problem was Nick’s problem. They knew the teaching of scripture and knew that Jesus was a great teacher and religious figure, but they didn’t see God’s “vision” for us. Like Nick, they would probably bring their families to church (or synagogue), knowing that the children would learn good values. They would be faithful people, believing that God rewards good behavior and clean living. They would know that God wants something of us and they would strive to gain God’s blessing and approval. They would even realize that others who followed Jesus would think well of them for being devoted followers. But, perhaps like Nick, they would eventually wear out. Perhaps that is why they found themselves leaving Jerusalem rather than staying with the disciples. Perhaps their hopes had not been fulfilled and they just needed a break.
In a phrase, the travelers, along with Nick, KNEW WITHOUT SEEING. They have some knowledge and experience, but they lack the vision of God’s purpose and will – the ability to see what God is doing in the world. And without that, religion becomes a wearisome exercise.
Seeing Without Knowing
Our two travelers were also not unlike our friend Tom. And we might describe Tom’s problem as the opposite of Nick’s. Tom was struggling with SEEING WITHOUT KNOWING. And the two travelers demonstrated this limitation as well.
In literal terms, they “saw” Jesus there, but they just didn’t KNOW who he was. They even welcomed him into their conversation and asked him to stay when he began to leave them. They saw that he was a teacher when he opened the scripture to them, and they saw him break the bread as they ate together.
TEXT: Luke 24:13-35SERVICE VIDEO (link)
Picture two people with real interest in the things of God. Nick grew up in and around the people of God, learning the scriptures, hearing the stories of old and how God desires for His people to live. He is the kind of person that brings his family to church and makes sure his children participate in the youth program. Tom got involved later in life, but eagerly participates in everything that’s going on. He’s the kind of person that attends Sunday school every week (even at 8:30!) and sings enthusiastically in church.
Each of them has a complaint, though. Nick is worn out from being thoroughly religious and just doesn’t find meaning or fulfillment in all the religious commitments. Tom, on the other hand, is excited about all the activities in which he participates, but isn’t sure he believes the message.
Are these two people unusual? I don’t think so… I think most of us can relate to one or both of them. And to be honest, they are kind of two sides of the same coin.
Knowing Without Seeing
Two people walked away from Jerusalem on Easter Sunday. They were not Nick and Tom, but they had a lot in common with them. The two walkers had been involved in the recent events during the week of Passover. They saw Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, and were deeply saddened by his death. They had even heard that morning that his body was now missing. And they were deep in conversation about all that had happened.
Then a stranger walks up alongside them and involves himself in their conversation. He wants to know what they are discussing. They can’t believe that the stranger hasn’t heard about the recent events in Jerusalem. The stranger asks them to tell him about these things. So, with downcast faces, the two travelers describe Jesus of Nazareth.
“He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed…” they say. “We had hoped he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.”
They knew about Jesus. They knew something of the prophecies about a savior – a Messiah. They knew about the empty tomb. But these two travelers did not SEE Jesus for who he was. They didn’t see God’s “vision” for humanity. And so, even with Jesus himself standing there before them, they didn’t see.
In many ways, their problem was Nick’s problem. They knew the teaching of scripture and knew that Jesus was a great teacher and religious figure, but they didn’t see God’s “vision” for us. Like Nick, they would probably bring their families to church (or synagogue), knowing that the children would learn good values. They would be faithful people, believing that God rewards good behavior and clean living. They would know that God wants something of us and they would strive to gain God’s blessing and approval. They would even realize that others who followed Jesus would think well of them for being devoted followers. But, perhaps like Nick, they would eventually wear out. Perhaps that is why they found themselves leaving Jerusalem rather than staying with the disciples. Perhaps their hopes had not been fulfilled and they just needed a break.
In a phrase, the travelers, along with Nick, KNEW WITHOUT SEEING. They have some knowledge and experience, but they lack the vision of God’s purpose and will – the ability to see what God is doing in the world. And without that, religion becomes a wearisome exercise.
Seeing Without Knowing
Our two travelers were also not unlike our friend Tom. And we might describe Tom’s problem as the opposite of Nick’s. Tom was struggling with SEEING WITHOUT KNOWING. And the two travelers demonstrated this limitation as well.
In literal terms, they “saw” Jesus there, but they just didn’t KNOW who he was. They even welcomed him into their conversation and asked him to stay when he began to leave them. They saw that he was a teacher when he opened the scripture to them, and they saw him break the bread as they ate together.