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Luke 24:13-53:

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them but they were kept from recognizing him. -- Luke 24:13-16

His PRESENCE will meet you on your road to wherever.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. --Luke 24:17-19a

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” --Luke 24:17b-24

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. --Luke 24:25-27

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. --Luke 24:28-29

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” --Luke 24:30-32

His PRESENCE gives PERSPECTIVE

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” --Luke 24:33-39

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish and he took it and ate it in their presence. -Luke 24:40-42

His PRESENCE grants PEACE

He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. --Luke 24:44-48

His PRESENCE provides PROMISES to stand on

"I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” --Luke 24:49

His PRESENCE supplies POWER to make it through

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. --Luke 24:50-53

His PRESENCE results in PRAISE

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Barriers to His Presence
Not good enough - Grace
Don't know enough - Faith
Seems exclusive - All are welcome
Distractions - Seek Him first
Pride - Humility
Other ways - One way

"It would be nice if everybody could be right about their religious convictions. After all, these are beliefs we often hold dear to our hearts. Nobody likes telling others that they are wrong about their deepest convictions. Yet simple reason and common sense tell us all religions cannot possibly be true. By its very nature, truth is exclusive. It is not logically possible for all religions to be right when their core claims differ so radically. Either they are all wrong, or one is right." --Sean McDowell Professor, Author

BIG IDEA: If you believe the resurrection is true, then Jesus is available to walk any road with you.

How do you view Jesus?
Not Real, Teacher, Savior, LORD

Prayer of (re) Commitment
Acknowledge God's love and your sin
Believe in Jesus' work on the cross
Commit to follow the Spirit

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus.
And may He push you out into the world.
May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others.
Not because you must, but because you may.
This is why we were born!

Beyond Sunday
The intent of our Lenten 5-day Devotional format is to give you an opportunity to reflect on Jesus' suffering and realize that “He Knows” your suffering. Note the daily prayer and weekly family/couple moment. After celebrating Easter, we now focus on how Jesus can truly help us on our road of suffering through His Presence.

Monday: Read Luke 24:13-16. Like those on the Road to Emmaus, what causes us to miss God’s presence?

Tuesday: Read Luke 24:17-32. They were downcast, but Jesus gave them a new perspective. How so? What else stands out to you about their exchange?

Wednesday: Read Luke 24:33-43. How does Jesus usher in peace in this chaotic scene? How does He do it in your life?

Thursday: Read Luke 24:44-48. Jesus reminds them that they are witnesses of the promises fulfilled from long ago. What promises of God do you stand on when you are in the midst of suffering?

Friday: Read Luke 24:49-53. In the end, He lets them know a greater power, the Holy Spirit, will come to help them have His perspective, experience peace, and understand His promises. As a result, they returned to Jerusalem to praise Him. What fueled their zeal to praise Him? And how can you relate or not?

Daily Prayer: Lord, help me to appreciate your suffering for me more and more. May You reveal it to me in new ways and may it grow my awareness of Your love for me.

Weekly Family/Couples Moment: Read, listen, or retell the story of the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-53. See if you can identify all that Jesus’ presence brings to all He encounters in the story (hint: perspective, peace, promises, power).
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Resources for your those suffering: (see links below)
Stephen Ministers - 1on1 support in your time of loss
A Short Walk with Emma - Learn how God and the PCC community carried another through great suffering
Men’s Purity - For those wrestling with temptation
Coaching & Mentoring - For men and women to work through challenging times
One Life Counseling Center / Christian Counseling Center - Professional Support
Support for Ukraine - Financially and spiritually support

For PCC's budgeted giving year
(June 1, 2021 through April 12, 2022)

Giving Update
Budgeted Giving: $3,838,588
Giving to Date: $2,757,069
Still Need: $1,081,519