Road to Emmaus

*image originated here

Mark 16:12-14, Luke 24:13-49

Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for thier lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

Mark 16:12-14

It’s a hard thing to believe what you cannot see. It’s even harder when everything you do see seems to contradict what someone is asking you to believe. Sometimes we are even prevented from seeing just so that our faith can learn this lesson. The road to Emmaus wasn’t special by any means it was just another dirt and stone track that led from one city to the next. These two men were walking that track tired and grief-stricken the last few days had been longer and more horrifying than any they could remember.

The world as they knew it had taken the innocent, loving, peaceful teacher whose only supposed crime was forgiving others’ sins because he claimed that God had given him the authority to do so as His son. They were struggling to make sense of the injustice and the brutality. They were in despair because if this teacher really was the Son of God come to save them then why was he dead?

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Luke 24:13-27

What an incredible conversation. Oh to have been a fly nearby for that one. Jesus explains everything to these two men from start to finish and why it all had to happen the way it did! He scolds them for not believing in what Jesus had taught them and what the Prophets had written. It wasn’t because they didn’t know the truth in their minds it was because they had allowed their pride to withhold the truth from their hearts and souls.

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. Byt they urged him stongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evenin g; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up  and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

Luke 24:28-35

Isn’t this beautiful!?!? Jesus finally reveals to them that he was the one speaking to them all along and they know in their hearts what he has said is true. It doesn’t even say that they waited for the morning to return they simply got up from the meal they were eating and went back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples and Jesus’ other followers that all of it is true! He is risen!

Do you believe?