On the road to Emmaus

This is such an Amazing passage. The lessons, the implications to prayer, the overall wisdom that can be seen by these two disciples is astonishing. I'm really wanting to dig into this passage and learn all I can. So here goes!

"And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them." Luke 24:13-15 (NASB)

 

Okay, let's get some background first. These two disciples are traveling away from Jerusalem to Emmaus after Jesus' death. They are worried and heart broken over the fact that the man they thought was going to be crowned king has died. Even though their dreams are dashed, they can't stop talking about it.

Now, I wonder if these two disciples weren't so fixated over Jesus, discussing everything that went on, would He have paid them a visit? By being so distracted by my own frivolous, worldly things, how much have I missed out on. That's the first lesson I see in this passage. I need to make sure that I'm not too earthly minded and miss out on what God is wanting to show me! It's too easy to get side tracked and distracted from keeping my focus on God and my focus needs to be on Him! (Matthew 6:33) (2 Corinthians 10:5)

"But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad." Luke 24:16-17 (NASB)

This is an interesting point. Why would they have been prevented from recognizing Jesus? First off, they didn't understand the Scriptures clearly, as we will see in a moment, and they were sad over the fact of Jesus' death. His appearing to them would have changed all of that. But I wonder if it's not due to their ignorance that Jesus remained hidden from them. Would they have trully understood? They didn't have a clear view of who Jesus really was. But their ignorance, nor their sadness, didn't keep them from sharing about Jesus...

"One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” Luke 24:18 (NASB)

Clearly Jesus' death was a big thing. They couldn't understand the ignorance of this stranger. How could he not know what happened? So Cleopas fills him in on the events, including their own ignorance of the Scriptures...

"And He said to them, 'What things?' And they said to Him, 'The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” Luke 24:19-24 (NASB)

Even though it was politically incorrect, they told a complete stranger which side they were on. Jesus' death placed any one who was on His side at risk of being a collaborator and Cleopas made no bones about it. They were hoping Jesus was going to restore Israel. That meant they saw Him as the prophesied Messiah. At this point, I have to wonder, again, if the disciples had just glanced at Jesus shrugged and kept going, would they have missed outt on being one of the first to see the resurrected Jesus? Fear of being a collaborator should have kept them quite about the events. But they shared anyway and were rewarded with a great blessing. Jesus was about to explain to them the Scriptures!

"And He said to them, 'O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?' Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures." Luke 24:25-27 (NASB)

What an opportunity! Jesus was revealing to them all the Scriptures that pertained to His death and resurrection. I can't imagine what that would have been like. God, the messiah, was tutoring them on the very Scriptures that were prophesied thousands of years in advanced, that spoke of Him and all He would accomplish for us. Now, for us, the Holy Spirit brings that wisdom to us. But I can't imagine a face to face encounter with the living God, explaining what He wrote. That would be a truly great blessing. Because these two disciples were so open, and bold, they were able to have just such a blessing.

"And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, 'Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.' So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight." Luke 24:28-31 (NASB)

Here is a great lesson to be learned. To the two disciples, this was just a stranger. One who knew the Scriptures but a stranger none the less. ANd again this is another place where had they not insisted upon this stranger staying, they would have missed out on a blessing. That seems to be the overall theme of this passage. How many blessing have I missed out on? How many times have I been just at a point where God could have shown me something to change my whole world... and I was too busy, or too focused on other things? Psalms 46:10 says;

“Be still, and know that I am God..."




It doesn't get any clearer than that! Looking through this event, I'm amazed at all the opportunities that these two disciples didn't miss. My prayer is to not miss out either.

"They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread." Luke 24:32-35 (NASB)

Once Jesus revealed Himself and disappeared, everything became clear. They just witnessed a miracle greater than they had seen Jesus perform yet. They had seen the risen Lord Himself! What a huge blessing for them, and what great lessons for us.

I believe we can learn another lesson from this passage as well;

We are all on the road to Emmaus. Where along that road will depend on where in your relationship with Christ you are...

Are you at the beginning of the journey? You know about Christ and His death but your not quite sure what it means to you?

Or are you at a place where you know why He died but have yet to insist on Him staying awhile?

Or have you come to the truth and have seen Jesus in all His glory? You have placed your trust in Him and have repented of your sins...

If you are at the beginning or middle of the journey, check out this website NeedGod for help.