Opening Our Eyes to Christ's Presence and Hope

 

Summary

In Luke 24, we encounter two disciples walking away from Jerusalem, their hearts heavy and their faces downcast. Despite having knowledge of the events surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, and even hearing the testimony of the empty tomb, they are unable to recognize the risen Christ walking beside them. This story is a powerful reminder that it is possible to possess knowledge about Jesus, to be familiar with the Scriptures, and even to have spiritual experiences, yet still miss the fullness of what God is doing right in front of us.

Much like a bowler who turns away in disappointment, assuming the outcome is already determined, we can become so focused on our own expectations and disappointments that we miss the miraculous work God is doing in our midst. Sometimes, it takes someone else to turn us around, to help us see what we’ve missed. Spiritually, our eyes are truly opened when three things come together: the truth of Scripture, the reality of the gospel, and a personal encounter with Jesus. Any one of these alone is insufficient; it is their convergence that brings certainty and transformation.

The disciples on the road to Emmaus had knowledge and experience, but it wasn’t until Jesus personally revealed Himself—explaining the Scriptures and breaking bread with them—that their eyes were opened. In that moment, everything changed. Their disappointment turned to joy, their direction reversed, and they ran back toward Jerusalem, toward Jesus. This is the essence of repentance: not just feeling sorry or knowing the facts, but turning from our own way and moving toward Christ in response to a personal encounter with Him.

No matter how far we feel from God, or how convinced we are that the sun has set on our situation, the truth remains: the sun has not gone down on us. Jesus is present, entering into our experience, inviting us to see Him with new eyes. The invitation is to allow the Scriptures, the gospel, and our personal experience with Christ to come together, so that our hearts might burn within us and our lives be transformed. The question remains: what will it take for our eyes to be opened before the sun goes down?

Key Takeaways

- Knowledge about Jesus, even when accurate and thorough, is not the same as understanding or transformation. There is a vast difference between knowing facts about Christ and truly encountering Him in a way that changes our hearts and lives. Intellectual assent alone cannot bridge the gap between information and spiritual awakening. [47:38]

- Certainty in faith comes when Scripture, the gospel, and personal experience converge. Each of these elements is powerful, but isolated from the others, they are incomplete and can even be misleading. True spiritual confidence arises when the truth of God’s Word, the reality of Christ’s resurrection, and our own encounter with Him come together in our lives. [44:22]

- Jesus enters into our experience even when we do not recognize Him. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we may be walking away in disappointment or confusion, yet Christ draws near, patiently revealing Himself and inviting us to see with new eyes. His presence is not dependent on our awareness, but our transformation depends on recognizing Him. [52:22]

- Repentance is more than a feeling of regret; it is a decisive turning toward Jesus. When our eyes are opened to who He is, we are compelled to change direction, to move from walking away to running toward Him. This is the mark of true spiritual renewal: a heart that burns within and a life that is reoriented around Christ. [57:59]

- The sun has not gone down on your life, no matter how dark things may seem. Jesus’ resurrection means that hope is never lost, and His invitation remains open. No amount of disappointment, doubt, or perceived unworthiness can separate us from the possibility of a new beginning in Him. The question is whether we will allow Him to open our eyes before the sun goes down. [01:00:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Introduction and Youth Ministry
[01:45] - Recap of Previous Weeks
[03:10] - The Posture of the Heart
[04:30] - Walking Away from Jesus
[06:41] - Bowling Analogy: Missing What’s Right in Front
[10:03] - Turning Away in Disappointment
[12:30] - What Opens Our Spiritual Eyes?
[13:31] - The Threefold Foundation: Scripture, Gospel, Experience
[15:14] - The Road to Emmaus: Knowledge Without Understanding
[18:50] - The Chasm Between Knowing and Understanding
[21:31] - Jesus Enters Our Experience
[22:58] - The Power of Personal Encounter
[24:50] - When the Three Come Together
[27:59] - Repentance and Transformation
[31:35] - The Sun Hasn’t Gone Down
[36:56] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Before the Sun Goes Down

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### Bible Reading

Luke 24:13-35
(The Road to Emmaus: Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus but do not recognize Him until He explains the Scriptures and breaks bread with them.)

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### Observation Questions

1. What were the two disciples discussing as they walked to Emmaus, and what was their emotional state? (Luke 24:13-17)
2. Even though the disciples had heard reports about the empty tomb and Jesus being alive, what kept them from recognizing Jesus when He joined them? (Luke 24:15-16)
3. According to the sermon, what three things came together to open the disciples’ eyes to who Jesus really was? [54:50]
4. What immediate change happened in the disciples after they recognized Jesus at the table? (Luke 24:33-35)

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The disciples had accurate knowledge about Jesus and the events in Jerusalem, but still missed the truth. What does this suggest about the difference between knowing facts about Jesus and truly understanding Him? [47:38]
2. The sermon compared spiritual blindness to a bowler turning away before seeing the outcome. How does this analogy help us understand the danger of letting disappointment or assumptions keep us from seeing what God is doing? [40:32]
3. Why is it significant that Jesus patiently walked with the disciples and explained the Scriptures to them before revealing Himself? What does this show about how Jesus meets us in our confusion or disappointment? [53:46]
4. The disciples’ direction changed after their eyes were opened. What does this reveal about the nature of true repentance and transformation? [57:59]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said it’s possible to know a lot about Jesus and still miss Him. Are there areas in your life where you have knowledge but lack a real encounter with Jesus? What would it look like for you to invite Him into those areas? [47:38]
2. Think about a time when you were disappointed or discouraged and assumed God was absent. Looking back, can you see ways Jesus was present even if you didn’t recognize Him at the time? How might this change how you respond to disappointment now? [52:22]
3. The disciples’ eyes were opened when Scripture, the gospel, and personal experience came together. Which of these three do you tend to rely on most? Which one do you need to seek more intentionally? [44:22]
4. The sermon described repentance as turning from our own way and moving toward Jesus. Is there a specific area where you sense God inviting you to change direction? What practical step could you take this week? [57:59]
5. The message said, “The sun has not gone down on your life, no matter how dark things may seem.” Is there a situation in your life that feels hopeless? How can the truth of Jesus’ resurrection give you hope in that area? [01:00:55]
6. Sometimes it takes someone else to help us see what God is doing. Who in your life helps you “turn around” and notice God’s work? How can you be that person for someone else this week? [41:35]
7. The disciples’ hearts “burned within them” as Jesus spoke. When was the last time you felt your heart stirred by God’s presence or Word? What can you do to cultivate that kind of openness in your daily life? (Luke 24:32)

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for open eyes, receptive hearts, and the courage to turn toward Jesus, no matter where they are on their journey.

Devotional

Day 1: The Difference Between Knowing and Understanding

It is possible to know all the right facts about Jesus—His life, His miracles, even His resurrection—yet still miss the heart-transforming reality of who He is. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had accurate knowledge about the events in Jerusalem, but their hearts were downcast and their eyes were closed to the living Christ walking beside them. There is a vast difference between having information and having revelation; true understanding comes when knowledge is met with faith and a willingness to see Jesus for who He truly is. [47:38]

Luke 24:17-21 (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?” 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.”

Reflection: Where in your life have you settled for knowing about Jesus instead of truly understanding and experiencing Him? What would it look like to invite Him to open your eyes today?


Day 2: Jesus Enters Our Experience Even When We Don’t Recognize Him

Even when we are walking away, confused or disappointed, Jesus draws near and enters our story. The disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Him at first, but He was present, listening, and ready to reveal Himself. In moments of doubt or discouragement, Jesus is closer than we realize, gently pursuing us and waiting for us to see Him. His presence is not dependent on our awareness; He is with us, longing to be recognized and welcomed into our lives. [51:31]

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Reflection: Think of a recent moment when you felt alone or discouraged—can you look back and see how Jesus might have been present with you, even if you didn’t recognize Him at the time?


Day 3: Certainty Comes from Scripture, the Gospel, and Personal Experience Together

A faith built on only one aspect—Scripture, the facts of the gospel, or personal experience—lacks the fullness and certainty God desires for us. When these three come together, as they did for the disciples at Emmaus, our eyes are opened and our hearts burn with conviction. It is not enough to memorize verses or recall historical facts; nor is it enough to chase after experiences. True certainty and transformation come when we encounter Jesus through His Word, the truth of His resurrection, and a personal relationship with Him. [57:59]

Luke 24:27, 32 (ESV)
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. … 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?”

Reflection: Which of these three—Scripture, the gospel, or personal experience—do you tend to rely on most? How can you intentionally seek a more balanced and complete encounter with Jesus this week?


Day 4: True Repentance Turns Us Back Toward Jesus

When the disciples’ eyes were opened, they immediately changed direction—leaving behind their disappointment and returning to Jerusalem to share the good news. True repentance is not just feeling sorry or recognizing our mistakes; it is a decisive turning from our old path and moving toward Jesus with renewed purpose. When we encounter the risen Christ, our lives are transformed, and we are compelled to follow Him, no matter how far we may have wandered. [59:36]

Acts 3:19 (ESV)
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are “walking away” from Jesus? What would it look like to turn around and move toward Him today?


Day 5: The Sun Hasn’t Gone Down on You—There Is Still Hope

No matter how hopeless or unworthy you may feel, the truth remains: the sun has not gone down on your story. Just as the disciples thought all hope was lost after the crucifixion, Jesus was alive and ready to meet them. God’s grace is greater than your failures, and His invitation to turn toward Him is always open. There is still time to have your eyes opened, to experience His presence, and to walk in the certainty and hope He offers. [01:01:35]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel like the sun has gone down? How can you open your heart to the hope and new mercies God offers you today?

Quotes

But today we enter the story of these two individuals when they're actively walking away from Jesus, both physically and spiritually. And I pray that we learn something really crucial about the transformative power of Jesus Christ in Luke 24. [00:36:31] (00:00:19 seconds) Edit Clip

You see, the scriptures alone, I love that you memorize Matthew. I love it. But if that's your entire faith, you're missing something. Like, I understand that the gospel is so important. Jesus lived a real life, but you know who else believes that? Any historian worth their weight. [00:44:22] (00:00:29 seconds) Edit Clip

I know that you've experienced something in your life, but unless that experience is paired with the truth that's in the gospel and the scriptures, it means nothing. Our certainty comes because of the scriptures, the gospel, and our experience together. And nobody can refute that. [00:44:52] (00:00:26 seconds) Edit Clip

He sits them down with their knowledge of Jesus, with their understanding of the gospel, and he gave them a personal experience with himself. And what happens after the personal experience pairs with the gospel and the scriptures is great. They urged him to stay. Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. What happened the moment those three things clicked? They invited him in. Praise God. [00:54:53] (00:00:41 seconds) Edit Clip

But if you pluck any one of those things out and put it on a stand by itself, it's powerless. Powerless. If you know all the scriptures, and that's all you have, you're a Pharisee. Listen, I could go out of this building and have a lot of different experiences that nobody can take away. But unless they're founded in scripture, it's powerless. [00:56:58] (00:00:31 seconds) Edit Clip

I can know Jesus resurrected himself from the dead. But James in chapter 2 says, even the demons know, and they shudder at his name. What's it going to take for your eyes to be open? See, our eyes are open. And we can live with a sincere certainty when we have the scriptures, the gospel, and an experience that's opened our eyes. [00:57:29] (00:00:41 seconds) Edit Clip

They got up and they returned to Jerusalem. See, the excuse of the sun going down, the negligence to what had just happened in Jerusalem, that all goes away when your life is transformed and changed by Jesus Christ. You see, they're not only just impacted by Jesus' presence. They're completely renewed by it. [00:58:35] (00:00:40 seconds) Edit Clip

Because the second their eyes were opened, they turned from the direction in which they were going and they went towards Jesus. So when our eyes are opened and we're changed and transformed, it should inspire in us a curiosity to follow after him. What is it going to take for your eyes to be opened? [00:59:23] (00:00:32 seconds) Edit Clip

But the reality that's true for us this morning is the same reality that was true for them that morning. The sun hasn't went down. And if you're in this room right now, Jesus hadn't came back, well, at least the last time I checked. And the sun hasn't went down on you. [01:00:55] (00:00:24 seconds) Edit Clip

I don't care what you've done. I don't care how unworthy you think you are. The sun hasn't went down on you. And there's a God that wants to turn your direction to the sun before it goes down. So what's it going to take for your eyes to be opened to him before the sun goes down? [01:01:20] (00:00:45 seconds) Edit Clip

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