Finding Jesus in the Unexpected - Luke 24

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Learning to Trust God When He Feels Distant

Today, we’re going to be talking about “Finding Jesus in the Unexpected.” You and I were created to that we could have a relationship with God, our creator. However, oftentimes we are tempted to think that God is far away, distant, unconcerned with our life and it’s problems. There are times when we can’t sense God’s presence.

Our prayers may seem to go unanswered, we may be discouraged. What should we do in those kinds of times that we all face sometimes? We often struggle with trusting God when circumstances feel confusing and painful. These moments test whether we rely on our feelings or on the truth of who God is.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Just because we don’t sense God’s presence, doesn’t mean that He is distant. We can always choose to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. Our understanding or lack of understanding should not be something that we put our trust in. When we acknowledge God and look to Him for help, He will guide us on the straight path of His plan and purpose.

Faith is putting your trust in the unseen God at all times. It means believing even when evidence seems lacking or circumstances feel discouraging. Faith calls us to rely on God’s character rather than our perceptions. This kind of trust honors God and anchors our hearts.

John 20:29 (ESV) Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

These were Jesus’ words to doubting Thomas. Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen from the dead until Jesus showed him His wounds. Yet, Jesus said that whose who have never seen Him and have believed would be even more blessed. That includes you and me.

When God seems far away, He isn’t. He is just a prayer away. He loves you, He cares about you and He will guide you. Even in silence, God is still working for our good.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s thoughts, ways and plans are so much higher and greater than ours. Everything that God does is loving, kind, just and right, no matter what we may think. We can put our entire trust in Him and not try to figure everything out. He will never let you down.

Today, we’re going to look at a story of two anonymous and discouraged disciples. They had heard the news of Jesus’ death and were shattered by it. They had lost all hope for the future and didn’t know what to do with their lives. They and we need to learn to the importance of …

Trust defeats misunderstanding

Luke 24:13-14 (ESV) That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

Three days before Jesus had been crucified and His body placed in the tomb. The whole city of Jerusalem had every witnessed the crucifixion or heard about. Two disciples of Jesus were going from Jerusalem to an outlying village called Emmaus. On the journey, traveling by foot, they were talking about what had just happened.

Undoubtedly, they were reminiscing about Jesus’ ministry, His healings and teaching. Yet, now everything had changed. Their expectations had been crushed by the reality of the cross. Confusion and disappointment filled their conversation.

Luke 24:15-16 (ESV) While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

We know from reading the previous chapter, that Jesus had risen from the dead. But the two disciples had not heard about that. As they walked along the road, Jesus walked up beside them. It seems that the Holy Spirit kept their eyes from recognizing who He was.

Luke 24:17-18 (ESV) And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

Now we learn that these two disciples were sad, probably depressed. When Jesus asked them what they were talking about, they answered rather abruptly. Don’t you know what has happened in Jerusalem a few days ago? Their disappointment shaped how they interpreted everything around them.

Luke 24:20-21 (ESV) and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But 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 happened.

Now we see that the main topic of their conversation was that their hopes had been dashed at Jesus’ death. They had hoped that as the Messiah, Jesus would redeem or set Israel free from Roman rule. Then the disciples mentioned that it was three days later. Perhaps they remembered that Jesus said He would rise again in three days.

Yet, they had not seen or heard anything and so even those hopes were gone. Their misunderstanding of God’s plan led them into despair. They could not see beyond their expectations.

Trusting God When Understanding Falls Short

These two disciples did not have a full understanding of the situation, they had a misunderstanding. Because of their misunderstanding, they were discouraged. They had lost their faith in Jesus’ words about rising from the dead. Their disappointment was rooted in incomplete understanding.

Are there things in your life that you have hoped for? Things you may have prayed about and asked God for. Yet, time has passed and they do not seem to be coming to pass. You are discouraged and losing hope.

These disciples were not trusting in God, but you can trust. Your understanding of the situation is often a misunderstanding. God’s timing in answering your prayers is rarely in your desired timing. Put your trust in God, not in your limited understanding of the situation.

Let Him help you …

Find light in the midst of doubt

Luke 24:25-26 (ESV) And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

In case we are feeling too sympathetic for these two disciples, Jesus calls them foolish ones. They were foolish because they did not believe what the Scripture said, they doubted. Jesus says that the Bible showed that the Messiah had to suffer and then go back to heaven. They knew what God’s Word said, but they doubted.

Luke 24:27 (ESV) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Jesus then gave these two disciples a Bible lesson, taking them from Genesis through all the prophetic writings. He showed them that the whole of the Old Testament spoke of Him. These were things they should have recognized, but their doubt blinded them. God’s Word was the key to restoring their faith.

Luke 24:28-29 (ESV) So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.

The disciples obviously enjoyed learning from Jesus. So, they urged Him to stay with them at the village in which they lived. Jesus agreed. He was beginning to shine the light of God’s truth into the darkness of doubt.

Letting God’s Word Drive Out Doubt

The world around us is a dark place and seems to be getting darker. This darkness is filled with unbelief and doubt about the things of God. This darkness has the tendency to creep into the lives of believers. It causes us to doubt how the Bible can still be true when so many people disagree with it.

Sometimes, this type of doubt will cause us to neglect reading and studying the Bible. The exact opposite of what we should do. Jesus showed these two disciples and us that God’s Word shines His light into our lives and situation. We receive this light both when we study on our own and when we hear with others.

Such as on Sunday mornings or in small group Bible studies. The more that you take in God’s Word, the more His light will remove the darkness of doubt. God’s truth always brings clarity and hope. His Word never returns empty.

Revelation overcomes unawareness

Luke 24:30-31 (ESV) When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

So, Jesus came to the two disciples home and ate dinner with them. As He took the bread in His hands, prayed and broke it, something happened. The eyes of their hearts were opened and they recognized that this was Jesus. Immediately after they recognized Him, He disappeared from their sight.

His resurrected body had amazing capabilities and His task with them was finished. What began in confusion ended in revelation. God revealed truth at exactly the right moment.

Luke 24:32-33 (ESV) They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together,

The two disciples began to talk to one another again. They knew that something was different when Jesus taught them from the Scripture. Their hearts were burning, being changed by the truth of God’s Word. Although they had just come from Jerusalem, they now returned to talk to the rest of the disciples.

Luke 24:34-35 (ESV) saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The disciples in Jerusalem affirmed that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to Simon. The two disciples told the rest the story of what happened on the road. And how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. The revelation of the Holy Spirit overcame their unawareness of true reality.

Recognizing Jesus in Everyday Moments

Just as these two disciples did not recognize the presence of Jesus, so we two often are unaware of His presence in our lives. When were their eyes opened? When He broke the bread. I believe the bread represents three things.

First of all, the bread represents the word of God which should feed us daily. As we allow Jesus to teach us God’s word, revelation comes to us of His presence. Secondly, breaking bread refers in the Bible to taking communion. We take communion about once a month.

The broken body of Jesus represented by the bread helps us remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. The bread in communion also helps us to remember that Jesus is alive and with us today. Finally, our daily bread also symbolized God’s provision for us in our daily meals.

When we truly give thanks to God at every meal, it give us revelation of Jesus’ presence. Revelation overcomes our unawareness. God is often closer than we realize. He reveals Himself in the ordinary rhythms of life.

Conclusion: Expecting Jesus in the Unexpected

This story of the Emmaus Road encounter offers a powerful message of hope, revelation and the constant presence of Jesus. Trust in the Lord, even when you don’t understand. Look for the light of His Word when you are in the darkness of doubt or discouragement. Let Jesus bring revelation in your life as you see Him in unexpected ways.

Expect Jesus to be with you every day and you will find Him there. He walks with you even when you do not recognize Him. Faith opens our eyes to His presence. Hope grows when we trust Him fully.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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