What Are You Talking About? Jesus Walks With You

Apr 19, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Road of Unseen Companions

Two disciples trudged toward Emmaus, shoulders slumped, debating Jesus’ crucifixion. A stranger joined them—Jesus Himself—but their grief blinded them. He asked, “What are you talking about?” They spilled their dashed hopes: “We thought He’d redeem Israel.” Jesus listened, though they didn’t recognize the Redeemer walking beside them. [34:00]

Jesus meets us in disappointment. He doesn’t wait for us to “figure it out” first. Like the disciples, we fixate on losses, unaware Christ shares our road. His presence isn’t dependent on our perception—He walks with us even when our eyes are clouded by pain.

Where is your “Emmaus road” right now—a place you’re walking while weighed down by confusion or grief? Jesus isn’t absent; He’s asking you to voice your heartache. What broken hope do you need to bring into His patient presence today?

“And behold, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.”
(Luke 24:15-16, NKJV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to open your eyes to His nearness in your current struggle.

Challenge: Write down one situation where you feel God is silent. Pray over it for 5 minutes.

Day 2: “What Things?” in the Dust

Jesus pressed the disciples: “What things?” forcing them to articulate their doubts. They listed facts—crucifixion, empty tomb—but missed the truth. Jesus didn’t interrupt; He let them confess their limited understanding before revealing Scripture’s fulfillment. [35:23]

God asks questions not to gather information but to expose our hearts. He already knows our fears but invites us to verbalize them, creating space for His correction. Like a teacher drawing out a student’s confusion, Jesus guides us from despair to truth.

When life overwhelms you, do you let Jesus interrogate your worries? Or do you bottle them, assuming He’s indifferent? What lie about God’s character have you believed that He wants to replace with Scripture today?

“He said to them, ‘What kind of things?’ They said, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth…we had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel.’”
(Luke 24:19-21, ESV)

Prayer: Confess one specific doubt you’ve harbored about God’s goodness.

Challenge: Read Psalm 77 aloud, circling every “I remember” statement.

Day 3: Scars and Fulfilled Scrolls

Jesus rebuked their slowness to believe, then traced Moses and the prophets to show His suffering was promised. The disciples’ hearts burned as ancient words came alive—prophecies about wounds, betrayal, resurrection. Every Scripture pointed to the man walking beside them. [37:40]

The Bible isn’t a random collection of stories but a unified testimony to Christ. Over 300 prophecies—birthplace, crucifixion details, resurrection—were fulfilled in Jesus. Odds defy coincidence; this is divine design. God’s Word proves reliable, even when our circumstances scream “chaos.”

Do you turn to Scripture primarily for comfort or correction? How might studying Messiah’s prophecies strengthen your trust when life feels unscripted?

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory? And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
(Luke 24:26-27, ESV)

Prayer: Thank God for one specific prophecy Jesus fulfilled that anchors your faith.

Challenge: Read Isaiah 53 today, underlining every detail matching Jesus’ death.

Day 4: Broken Bread and Opened Eyes

At Emmaus, Jesus broke bread—and their eyes opened. He vanished, leaving them breathless: “Didn’t our hearts burn?” They raced back to Jerusalem, transformed from mourners to messengers. Recognition came not in teaching but in the ordinary act of sharing a meal. [52:14]

Jesus often reveals Himself in everyday moments—meals, walks, conversations. We expect fireworks, but He works through Scripture and community. The disciples’ burning hearts weren’t from emotion alone but truth igniting their spirits.

When has God surprised you with His presence in mundane moments? What daily routine could become a place to watch for His breaking-in?

“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.”
(Luke 24:30-31, ESV)

Prayer: Ask Jesus to make you aware of His presence in a routine task today.

Challenge: Share a meal with someone, and discuss where you’ve seen God lately.

Day 5: Walking with the Champion

The disciples returned to Jerusalem—a seven-mile night hike—bursting with news: “The Lord is risen!” Their defeated shuffle became a sprint. The road hadn’t changed, but their perspective had: the Crucified was the Conqueror, walking every path with them. [01:00:16]

Jesus turns our retreats into returns. What once felt like a road of despair becomes a route for declaring victory. The resurrection isn’t just a past event—it’s present power. Every step with Him is a declaration: “Death lost. My Champion lives.”

What “road” have you been avoiding that Jesus wants to reclaim as a testimony? How can you walk differently knowing He’s already won?

“And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem… saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed!’”
(Luke 24:33-34, ESV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for a past victory, and ask Him to show you one He’s preparing now.

Challenge: Text someone: “Jesus is with us—what should we celebrate today?”

Sermon Summary

On the road to Emmaus, the resurrection narrative reframes defeat as discovery: the risen Christ travels with grieving disciples who cannot see him, prompting a patient interrogation that draws their doubt into the light. The text insists that God's questions do not arise from ignorance but from a desire to awaken memory, expose false narratives, and reorient hearts toward truth. By walking them through the Hebrew Scriptures, the narrative shows that the cross and the resurrection fulfill long-foretold prophecies; the historical veracity of those fulfillments anchors faith beyond emotional response. A simple, vivid anecdote about missing a celebrity in a mall illustrates how distraction and self-absorption can blind people to divine presence nearby. The story reframes failure and confusion: apparent loss becomes the moment God uses to teach dependence, refine trust, and reveal himself more fully.

The preaching moves from pastoral reassurance to practical challenge. It warns against granting the enemy a foothold—those small, repeated lies that gain altitude until they plant a flag of defeat in the heart. The remedy lies in remembering: test thoughts against Scripture, call out the origin of discouraging narratives, and rehearse past acts of God's faithfulness. The narrative culminates in the breaking of bread, a sacramental revelation that opens eyes and ignites hearts; recognition follows worship and interpretation together. Ultimately the resurrection stands as decisive: Christ’s victory over death validates his identity, transforms present suffering into hope, and commissions the listener to walk forward with renewed courage and trust.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus walks with the unseen God’s presence often comes while perception fails; divine nearness does not guarantee immediate recognition. When vision dims, the movement of God can feel like absence because the work being done is inward—conviction, teaching, and preparation for revelation. Train attention to spiritual rhythms: honest lament, Scripture, and shared testimony sharpen sight. [33:25]
2. Questions reveal and restore faith God’s questions pry open the architecture of belief to expose what governs behavior—fear, memory, or truth. These questions do not seek information but invite self-examination and redirect affections toward reality. Answering them honestly becomes the first step in reorienting trust from performance to Christ’s fidelity. [35:23]
3. Scripture confirms Christ's identity The weight of fulfilled prophecy supplies more than apologetic proof; it establishes a narrative frame that reshapes how events are interpreted. When doubts arise, returning to Scripture reorders memory, aligns cause and effect, and refuses the tyranny of momentary feelings. Evidence strengthens both head and heart, allowing faith to rest in history as well as experience. [56:12]
4. Resist the enemy's foothold A foothold begins as a single thought that gains purchase through repetition and isolation until it becomes a weighty claim on identity. Naming its origin—lies about worth, destiny, or value—and replacing it with remembered truths of God interrupts the climb. Community, confession, and Scripture remove footholds and prevent the enemy from planting his flag. [47:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[30:12] - Worship & Thanksgiving
[31:56] - Reading: Luke 24:13–27
[33:25] - Jesus Joins the Disciples
[34:27] - Emmaus Conversation and Confusion
[37:25] - Suffering and the Prophets
[41:08] - Missed Encounters: Mall Story
[47:36] - Guard Against the Enemy's Foothold
[51:33] - Revelation at the Table
[53:06] - Prophecies Demonstrate the Messiah
[60:40] - Resurrection Charge & Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Luke 24:13–27 (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. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 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. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 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?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Observation Questions

In Luke 24:16, the disciples’ eyes “were kept from recognizing” Jesus. What reasons might there be for Jesus not immediately revealing Himself to them?
The disciples say, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel” (v. 21). What does this reveal about their expectations of Jesus versus God’s actual plan?
The sermon mentions a story about missing a celebrity in a mall due to distraction ([41:08]). How does this story parallel the disciples’ failure to recognize Jesus?
Jesus responds to their confusion by walking them through the Scriptures (v. 27). Why do you think He chose this method instead of simply revealing His identity first?

Interpretation Questions

Jesus asks, “What is this conversation…?” (v. 17) even though He already knows their struggles. How do God’s questions in Scripture serve to “expose false narratives” rather than gather information?
The sermon warns against giving the enemy a “foothold” through repeated lies ([47:36]). How might small, unchecked doubts or lies grow into larger spiritual strongholds?
The disciples’ eyes are opened when Jesus breaks bread (v. 30–31). Why do you think recognition comes through this act of fellowship and worship?
The sermon emphasizes fulfilled prophecy as evidence of Jesus’ identity ([56:12]). How does historical fulfillment of Scripture strengthen faith differently than emotional experiences?

Application Questions

The disciples were so focused on disappointment that they missed Jesus walking with them. What distractions or disappointments in your life might be blinding you to God’s presence? How can you intentionally “train your attention” to notice Him?
Jesus reframed the disciples’ confusion by pointing them to Scripture ([37:25]). When facing doubt, what specific passages or promises could you turn to for clarity and hope?
The enemy’s lies often start as small, repeated thoughts ([47:36]). What negative thought patterns (e.g., “I’m not enough,” “God isn’t listening”) do you need to “name and replace” with biblical truth this week?
The mall story illustrates how self-absorption can cause us to miss divine moments ([41:08]). What practical step could you take this week to shift your focus from your own struggles to serving others or seeking God?
The disciples’ hearts burned as Jesus explained Scripture (v. 32). How can you create space in your daily routine to let Scripture “ignite” your passion for Christ?
The sermon urges believers to “rehearse past acts of God’s faithfulness” ([47:36]). What specific moments in your life remind you of God’s reliability, and how can you share these with others to strengthen their faith?

Sermon Clips

48s

#ProphecyFulfilled

“``And it's it's so wild as I do the research to think about what needed to be fulfilled in order for Jesus to be the Messiah. I have heard, and I believe it's true because it comes from a reputable theologian and scholar, That the chances of Jesus fulfilling even eight of the prophecies out of the 300 prophecies about the Messiah, that the chances of even eight being fulfilled in one man is the same chance of filling the whole state of Texas with quarters. Mark it two inches thick, marking one of the quarters in some way that makes it unique, tossing it into the pile, and saying, go find the one. First try.”

41s

#HeIsVictorious

“Well, let me remind us, the hope of redemption has come. The hope of the turnaround, the underdog story, the underdog's anthem. He has conquered. He is the champion. He has defeated death. It has no stronghold. It has no sting. You have only one thing to look forward to, a redeemed life in eternity, fully reconciled back to God and healed forever. You are a lamb let from the stall. You win. What are you talking about? It's not because he doesn't know. It's just he wants to remind you of who he is. You of what he's done. He didn't forget.”

42s

#ScriptureIgnites

“Funny thing later on in the text, when they're at dinner with Jesus, he decides to stay. He breaks the bread, he gives it to them, their eyes are open. It's Jesus and he's gone. It's gone. In an instant, they turned to each other. Did our hearts not burn within us? Well, he opened the scriptures to us. Yeah. They didn't have heartburn because the meal they ate that day. They had heartburn because they were eating from the bread of life. Their heart burned as the scriptures were opened to them. Their heart burned with passion and they were filled as Jesus was revealing the truth of his word. Their heart burned and then all of a sudden Jesus goes, here I am, cut the lights on and he's gone.”

56s

#VeiledToReveal

“if Jesus would have revealed himself in that moment, they would have been so caught up in him that he wouldn't have been able to even ask them questions about them. Who we'd be so enamored with his presence? That's a good thing. That's that's what he wants. But they'd be so enamored with his presence and his glory and his resurrection, there would be no come to Jesus moment. They would just be caught up in him. No teaching. He wouldn't be able to ask these questions about their doubt. They'd be so caught up in him. He wouldn't be able to ask them about their ignorance. He wouldn't be able to ask them about their travels. He won't be asked them about what they know about the scriptures. They'd be so caught up in him, so he veils their eyes. Thank God. So we could teach him a thing or two before he reveals his presence to them later on at dinner.”

44s

#GodUsesLowPoints

“I love this man. I love that sometimes the Lord can bring us to the to our lowest point just so he can remind us of how great he is. He can bring us to that lowest point just to remind us of how great he is. He he will take you down a couple notches just to show you how much you need to depend on him, how faithful he is. In your weakness, he is strong. In your foolishness, he's made wise. He is the king, the god of the universe. He knows it all, and I don't. And when I do, he needs to teach me a lesson. Ask me the question that brings me to myself”

42s

#TrustHimNotSelf

“so that he can heal the things that are unhealed, that are unknown, the things that the pride has covered up. He he brings me to the end of myself not because he needs to know what I'm going through, he just needs me to know who I should be trusting. Me or him? He he needs me to know who really has the answers. Me or him? A new dimension, a new depth, a new landscape of his of his faithfulness. He doesn't need to know. He already knows. We treat God like something has occurred to him. Nothing has ever occurred to God. No. No. But it occurs to you that he is God.”

70s

#RememberTheChampion

“Let us stay attuned to the spirit when he asks the questions when we're caught up in that defeated place. What are you talking about? What are you talking about? And then let us turn to his truth so that we can be encouraged by his word, walking with the person we're walking beside who's helping us along the way I said, do you know who I am? Remember how good I am? I win. The champion is right here. The champ is here. The champ is here. The champ is here. The champ is here. He wins. What are you talking about? Roger. Jesus. He wins. Jesus Christ went to the cross to save our life, and it didn't end at the cross. The tomb is empty.”

52s

#FaithAndEvidence

“There is no doubt Jesus is who he says he is. There's no doubt that Jesus has defeated the grave. There is no doubt that Jesus is the son of God. There's no doubt that he is messiah. For those of you who are research oriented, who are super academic, where intellect and doing your homework is the thing that finds you in the basis of your faith, well, go to the bible, check out some prophecies, he fulfilled them all. And for the rest of us, no better, just different. As there is different sorts of faith where some of them are driven to a head nod and some of us are driven with a heartburn.”

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