Closer - "Closer in Hope" - Luke 24 - Mike Maglish

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

Closer in Hope
Luke 24
Mike Maglish

Part of Closer - A Study in Luke

June 16, 2024

25 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. —John 19:2513 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 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. —Luke 24:13-1718 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?” 19 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, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. —Luke 24:18-20

In both Catholic and Orthodox traditions Clopas is believed to be the brother of St. Joseph (Mary’s husband) and earthly father of Jesus. Making him Mary’s brother-in-law.

21 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. —Luke 24:21

Our hope can be misunderstood

We hope in a Messiah who is like a genie in a bottle.
We hope in a Jesus who will tolerate everything.
We hope in a Jesus who loves people in the borders of the United States.
We hope in a political Jesus who will save us from anyone who doesn’t hold our views.
We hope in a Jesus who is going to FIX our problems.

22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 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. 24 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.” —Luke 24:22-2425 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. —Luke 24:25-273 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care. —Isaiah 53:3

His suffering covers our sin

45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures —Luke 24:44-45

God Traded Down
a Crown for Thorns
a robe for a burial shroud
perfection for filthy rags
His Life for our Death

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. —Romans 5:10-1121 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, —Colossians 1:21-22

Hope = Being restored to God

Takeaway
Surrender to Christ and live for Him