Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus
“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 the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah 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.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; 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 at once 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.”
It’s Easter morning, and Jesus has risen from the grave. On that fateful day, the love of God concentrated in that sealed and guarded tomb has shaken the earth, dislodging the stone covering the entrance, and Jesus has left, freed completely. But even though Jesus has already appeared to several of the women in the company, their reports seem foolish and incredible. Even when Peter and John race to the tomb and find it empty and the grave clothes lying neatly as if Jesus has discarded them to assume his normal dress, the other disciples can scarcely believe it. Now two more disciples, one being Cleopas, are walking to the village of Emmaus when Jesus joins them on the road.
When these men begin sharing their shock and disbelief over the possibility of a resurrection, Jesus corrects them, quoting numerous passages of Scripture that foretell these very events. Still, these men have no clue as to their traveling companion, until he blesses the bread at supper and hands it to them. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit reveals that this is Jesus, and Jesus immediately disappears. Cleopas and his friend are so thrilled they rush seven miles back to Jerusalem in the dark, finding the eleven close disciples who confirm that Jesus truly is alive.
Luke 24:36-49 Jesus Appears to the Disciples
“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Just as Cleopas and his friend are describing their encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, Jesus himself appears. Jesus allows his friends to touch him, to examine the wounds in his hands and his feet and his side, and even eats a piece of broiled fish to prove that he is not a ghost. Perhaps the most important sentence in this entire part of the narrative is this: “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” We can read Scripture mechanically; however, if God does not open our minds so that we can understand, all our striving is useless.
Cleopas and his friend walk several miles/kilometers with Jesus without recognizing him, even though they later realize that their hearts have been burning as Jesus has explained the Scriptures to them. We have just celebrated Easter Sunday, and churches have been filled with people praising God and glorifying Him. But now, it’s Easter Monday. Where are our praises now? Is the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection something we celebrate throughout the year, or do we reserve that celebration for a single day?
At the last supper, Jesus tells his disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:15-26)
Even though Jesus ascends into heaven shortly after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit remains to instruct, comfort, and guide his followers. We might sigh and say, “If only I could spend time with Jesus like those men on the Emmaus road.” But we can spend time with Jesus. When we confess our sins to Jesus and accept him as our Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to remain with us. Prayers do not have to be complicated or employ fancy language. Jesus knows our hearts and promises that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us. Even though it would be wonderful to have Jesus physically sitting next to us, we can still count on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and correction, as long as we remain humble and penitent. We only get into trouble when we choose to go our own way, ignoring the dictates of the Holy Spirit.
There is a movement called the Walk to Emmaus that involves a three-day spiritual retreat. Both my husband and I have participated in these retreats. The idea is for participants to retreat from their daily stresses and to draw close to Jesus. Many of those involved have returned with their lives transformed, having experienced Jesus as never before. Many of these people might echo the sentiments of Mrs. C.H. Morris, the author of this old Gospel song.
The Stranger of Galilee
1 In fancy I stood by the shore, one day,
Of the beautiful murm’ring sea;
I saw the great crowds as they thronged the way
Of the Stranger of Galilee;
I saw how the man who was blind from birth,
In a moment was made to see;
The lame was made whole by the matchless skill
Of the Stranger of Galilee.
Refrain 1-3:
And I felt I could love Him forever,
So gracious and tender was He!
I claimed Him that day as my Savior,
This Stranger of Galilee.
2 His look of compassion, His words of love,
They shall never forgotten be;
When sin-sick and helpless He saw me there,
This Stranger of Galilee;
He showed me His hand and His riven side,
And He whispered, “It was for thee!”
My burden fell off at the pierced feet
Of the Stranger from Galilee. [Refrain]
3 I heard Him speak peace to the angry waves,
Of that turbulent, raging sea;
And lo! at His word are the waters stilled,
This Stranger of Galilee;
A peaceful, a quiet, and holy calm,
Now and ever abides with me;
He holdeth my life in His mighty hands,
This Stranger of Galilee. [Refrain]
4 Come, ye who are driven and tempest-tossed,
And His gracious salvation see;
He’ll quiet life’s storms with His “Peace, be still!”
This Stranger of Galilee;
He bids me to go and the story tell—
What He ever to you will be,
If only you let Him with you abide,
This Stranger of Galilee.
Refrain 4:
Oh, my friend, won’t you love Him forever?
So gracious and tender is He!
Accept Him today as your Savior,
This Stranger of Galilee.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. We confess that we are sinners in need of a Savior. Lord, please walk with us all the days of our lives. In Your mighty and precious Name, Lord Jesus. Amen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztsgE4Z4yYU
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment