The Road to Emmaus

The Road to Emmaus is a story that takes place in the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35. The really amazing thing is that it takes place right after the resurrection of Jesus. In the story, Jesus appears to two individuals that were traveling from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village that was about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. I do not plan on making many comments in this posting, but I do wonder what may have been going through the minds of these two persons while they interacted with Jesus unknowingly. If we set the scene, the two were walking and at the same time they were probably very sad because they knew that Jesus had died, and was still dead; however, as the story unfolds they are very much surprised. The following is the story found in verses 13-35 of Luke 24:

“13. That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles 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 ( Holy Bible, ESV)."

Closing Thoughts: The two were going to Emmaus because they had lost all hope, Jesus was dead. They perhaps thought that escaping the present reality is what they needed, so they decide to go away; however, when their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus was alive they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. One of the purposes of going to Emmaus for the two was really, so that you and I could read this story. When the two regained hope they no longer had any interest or a need to go to Emmaus. I am sure Emmaus was a nice town, but I imagine that sharing the news with the people they new suddenly became a priority. Actually, the news that Jesus is risen is still the best news ever, and the reason this blog even exist. Well, I hope you enjoyed reading the Road to Emmaus.

References:

Holy Bible, ESV