2. We are given a new sense of purpose.

All who believe in the resurrection have a mission. Jesus told the disciples, "You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you" (24:48-49). They were given a fresh sense of their destiny. They went from a depression to a commission because of the resurrection. That makes all the difference in the world, and in eternity.

If we had a crucified Christ but not a risen Lord, we would have a morbid religion. Our message to the world is not, "Jesus died for your sins." It is, "Christ is risen. He died, but He is alive forevermore." Our call is to live as if Jesus is alive and share the good news that we serve a risen Savior. People die all the time but they stay dead. If someone comes back to life and stays that way, it's time to do some rethinking. That is our message.

3. We live as winners, not losers.

Jesus showed up in the Upper Room that evening. They weren't exactly expecting Him for dinner and they were frightened. After Jesus let them see the marks of His death, they gained some composure, but "they still disbelieved for joy" (24:41). It takes a while for a loser to become a winner.

Jesus had already opened their eyes. Now He gave them a "Walk Through the Bible" course and "opened their minds to understand the scriptures" (24:45). He would not be around for long. They would need the Living Word to point them to the Living Lord. By the time of His ascension, they had solid assurance of His eternal life and theirs as well. They knew the meaning of the death and resurrection -- and they turned the world upside down with that knowledge.

The allied troops under General Wellington fought Napoleon on June 18, 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, a village in Belgium just south of Brussels. News was transmitted by the use of lights across the channel to anxious Britishers. The words were spelled out, "Wellington defeated --" and then a fog, so typical of England, fell over the channel. England thought the battle was lost and the dreadful news was spread quickly, throwing the land into despair. But when the fog lifted they could see the final word, "Wellington defeated Napoleon." And the mood in Great Britain changed from one of tragedy to triumph. The whole country exploded in thunderous celebration as the news was relayed. Napoleon had been defeated.

It is possible to be a winner and still live as if you are a loser. The fog of depression can keep us from the celebration. A friend said recently as we were discussing this passage, "Imagine winning a victory and not even knowing it. Christ had pulled off the most astonishing victory of all time and his rooters thought he had lost." The Emmaus men received only part of the message: "Jesus defeated --." That is enough to put any hopeful person into severe depression. But after the fog lifted the full message came into clear view, "Jesus defeated Satan." He has won, and we win with Him.