On the Road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13-35
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[a] 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. 18 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. 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. 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.” 25 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.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 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?”33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Observations and Reflections
Being told the events that had happened concerning Himself must have been interesting to hear. Jesus was not trying to be sneaky or cunning in not revealing Himself to these men. He simply wanted to test to see if they truly believed in the fact that He indeed did rise again and was alive! Understanding and believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is vital to accepting the message of the Gospel.
The women of that time were not ones who were seen as being reliable in giving information. It was hard for men to listen to any news a woman had to share, let alone the important news of Jesus Christ being raised from the dead. Even when the went and saw the tomb with their own eyes, they still held a great sense of unbelief.
Jesus had repeated numerous times that on the third day, He would rise again. This was to be the basis of their hope and joy. This was something that He intended for them to hang on to as a means to endure His death and fully understand that He is the one, true living God and there is no power that can stop Him. Death was on the losing side of this battle and He conquered it and sin with one act on the cross.
As Christians today, we have the privilege of knowing the events that took place from start to finish. Our Faith is based on the firm truth of God’s word and the fact that when we look at our own lives, we can trace the hand of God leading and guiding us to where we are today. It is because of the resurrection that we can be freed from sin and live a life that is filled with His joy, peace and hope. Each morning when we wake up, we are able to face our lives head on knowing that God is walking with us and it is His Grace that is allowing for us to do so.
[Featured image: Michelangelo – Supper at Emmaus]