SEARCH FOR REALITY
(Luke 24:13-32)

Two disciples walking to Emmaus were discussing the events surrounding a report by women who had gone to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty. According to these women, angels told them Jesus was alive. They were having difficulty understanding what it all meant. The resurrected Jesus joined them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. He asked them what they were discussing and why. It was then they shared their dilemma concerning Jesus, whom they had hoped was the Messiah.

In recent months we have all been shocked by events in California. A mass suicide in which members of a group called "Heaven's Gate" killed themselves. According to their leader, whose name was "Doe", they were planning to rendezvous with a space ship which followed a comet that recently appeared in the sky. These relatively young men and women considered by the worlds standards as highly intellectual, systematically took their lives in a quest for salvation. There have been many cults which have come and gone in the world. People who are searching for a way of life, yet, refusing the offer of Christianity. But, what makes Christians different than cults'? Our text points out two major keys to the reality of the claims of Christ and Christianity:

CHRIST'S PROPHECY (Luke 24:25-27)
"Then he (Jesus) said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."
A major difference in cults and Christianity is prophecy. The Bible has hundreds of prophecies concerning the works of God. Jesus began to tell them the prophecies concerning Himself. Prophecies which had been uttered hundreds of years before. No doubt He pointed to Genesis 3:15 considered by many to be the beginning of Messianic prophecy, progressing through Psalm 16, 22, 69, 110; Isaiah 7, 9, 53; Micah 5; Zechariah 9, 13; Malachi 3; and hundreds more pointing to the reality of the events they had witnessed. The miraculous birth, events, humility, death and resurrection of the Messiah, written long before they ever took place. Prophecies which pointed to the reality of the claims of Jesus Himself. No wonder these men said, (vs 32) "did not our hearts burn within us as He opened the scripture." The Bible is an historical book dealing with an historical, well documented Messiah who came and offered Himself for the sins of the world. Jesus, God's Son, is the only sacrifice acceptable to God the Father. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures, in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39) Also, consider this:

CHRIST'S PRESENCE (Luke 24:28-31)
"And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, 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."
These two disciples actually experienced the presence of the risen Christ with them. They asked Him to abide and fellowship, which He did. As they spent time with Him, He revealed Himself, their eyes were opened. We too can know the reality of Jesus Christ and His claims by seeking His presence with us. Jesus is here today. The risen Christ fellowships with us. Ask Him and He will abide with you. He said, "Where two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I stand at the door and knock, If any man open the door, I will come in and dine with him." The beginning of the Christian experience is to invite Jesus Christ into your life. The excitement of the Christian life is having Jesus' guidance and direction in every area of life. The promise to believers is an eternity in His presence. Christ in us reveals the reality of Christianity.

Cults and isms will always be around claiming to show the way to life. The Bible tells us they will increase near the end of the ages. But, the only reality is Jesus. He said, "1 am the way, the truth and the life." Someone wisely said, "If you would be eternal, join yourself to the eternal God". How can we know the reality of Christianity? The prophecy concerning Christ and the presence of Christ in our life. God bless.