Text: Luke 24:13-35

Prop: a poster of Jesus breaking bread with men at Emmaus

Summary: Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Jesus is with us in sad times.

Alternate introduction: Ask the children to make a happy or sad face any time they hear the words happy or glad or sad in the story. If you like, you can open with a mention of the story of Snow White and ask the children if they know the names of any of the dwarfs. Happy and Grumpy are the characters to get their attention about this sermon.

One day two friends were walking on the road to Emmaus. Something terrible happened three days before. Jesus had been hung on a cross and crucified. They were sad and upset about this. While they were talking about what happened Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. They didn’t know that it was Jesus. They supposed it was just someone walking along the road. Jesus asked why they were so sad.

One of the two men, Cleopas, explained that they were sure Jesus was God’s chosen person to save the children of Israel. He told about Jesus being crucified and how some women had been to the tomb that morning but his body wasn’t there. The women had seen angels that said Jesus was alive!

Then Jesus began to explain that all through the writings of Moses and the prophets that these things were written about Him before they ever happened. As they listened their hearts were happy to hear the good news that Jesus suffered to save His people. The very author of the Bible was explaining the scriptures to them and it made them glad. But remember that they didn’t realize it was Jesus yet. They wanted to spend more time with this stranger but he acted as if he had to continue his journey.

They pleaded with him to stay for supper. As he sat down to eat he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. This was Easter and the risen Lord Jesus disappeared right in front of them!

Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Jesus had been killed and it was hard to understand why God would allow such a thing to happen. We may lose a dear friend in a car accident. Our father may lose his job. We might have a pet that we love very much that dies. A tornado, hurricane, or flood may damage or destroy our home. We don’t understand what God’s purpose is for us in that situation when it happens, but God is with us even in sad times when our hearts are breaking. Jesus walked right beside the two men on the road to Emmaus. Jesus is with us all the time no matter what happens. We can be happy about that!

©1999 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.