OUR ROAD TO EMMAUS

Luke 24:13-35 (NIV-UK, 1984)

13. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16. but they were kept from recognising him.

17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. 18. 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?’ 19. ‘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. 20. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21. 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. 22. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23. 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 him they did not see.’

25. He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26. Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going further. 29. 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. 30. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32. 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?’

33. They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34. and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon [Peter].’ 35. Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.

_____________________

ON THE DAY of His resurrection Jesus caught up with two disciples as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They were bemoaning the failure of their expectations: their anticipated Messiah, the one they had hoped would deliver Israel, had been arrested and murdered, and their hopes shattered. For reasons not explained to us in the text, they did not recognise Him. (Perhaps He was in altered form, without the marks in His hands and feet, unlike in His appearance on a separate occasion later that same day vs. 36-40.)

As they walked, He addressed their perplexity, expounding the Scriptures in a wonderful sermon which kept them spellbound.

We can imagine that they thrilled as each element of His exposition unfolded and struck them as authentic.

This man spoke with conviction, as though he had been an eyewitness. That He who talked with them was really Jesus struck them only when He sat in on their meal and prayed with them, breaking bread.

There was apparently something in His voice which triggered their understanding (vs. 31, 35).

The sound of the Master’s voice has little to do with creed, for there are many who disagree on theological details but who agree on Christ as Saviour.

His spirit permeates what He taught. Although the Gospels implicitly teach deep truths for those who wish to delve into them, Jesus kept His language direct, so that the people could grasp what He had to say. He emphasised the Father’s love and forgiveness and the Kingdom of God.

We can see how the Sermon on the Mount would have been well received by many in His audience. Attending to it now in written form and having the leisure to devote ourselves to a study of it, we can find truths buried in it which probably escaped those who were there on the spot.

Such is the value of Scripture that it transcends time and place and, as a sacred conduit, carries the living words of the Master to us here at the end of the ages. Need amplifies relevance.If we are conscious of sin we will recognise the antidote when we see it or hear it. Christ fits the requirements of the contrite heart (Matt. 11:28):

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest

_______

May 2017

↑ Return top of page ↑