The Men on the Road to Emmaus

 

So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 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. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 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?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:28–35 ESV).

 

The account of the men on the road to Emmaus, which is recorded in Luke 24:13–35, describes two disciples of Jesus walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus on the day of Jesus’ resurrection. We do not know their identities for sure. Luke mentions the name of one as being Cleopas. According to some early church traditions, he may have been the brother of Joseph (Jesus' earthly father). The other is not named in the biblical text. Various traditions and scholars have suggested several possibilities, including: Simon (Luke 24:34), possibly Cleopas' son or a different disciple; Mary, the wife of Clopas, suggesting the pair was a married couple; or, even Luke himself, acting as an anonymous witness.

 

The two men were traveling about seven miles from Jerusalem, discussing the recent crucifixion and reports of the empty tomb with deep sadness. The resurrected Jesus joined them on the road, but they were "kept from recognizing him". As they talked, the two exhibited a lack faith that Jesus had been resurrected. Jesus rebuked their lack of faith and, starting with Moses and the Prophets, explained how all the Scriptures pointed to the Messiah’s suffering and eventual glory.

 

The story has a very happy ending though. Upon arriving at Emmaus, they invited the stranger to stay for a meal. As Jesus "took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them," their eyes were opened, they recognized Him, and He immediately disappeared. Despite it being evening, they immediately raced back to Jerusalem to tell the Eleven apostles, "It is true! The Lord has risen!". In many ways they were like Thomas. They needed to “see” to believe.

 

I wonder how often we find ourselves in Christ’s presence and don’t realize it. Though he isn’t actually there in person, he can be present with us anywhere at any time because he promises, “I am with you always” (cf. Matthew 28:20). Maybe a conversation with a friend ushers us into Jesus’ presence. Or maybe a worship experience helps us connect with Christ in a new way. Or maybe someone shines the presence of Jesus in a selfless act of service. Whatever the case, let’s keep our eyes open for Jesus in our everyday living. No doubt he is walking with us each day.