Luke 24:13-35
13 And behold, on that very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem.
14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place.
15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.
17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they came to a stop, looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You possibly the only one living near Jerusalem who does not know about the things that happened here in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What sort of things?” And they said to Him, “Those about Jesus the Nazarene, who proved to be a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people,
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him.
21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 But also some women among us left us bewildered. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
24 And so 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.”
25 And then He said to them, “You foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to come into His glory?”
27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.
28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.
29 And so they strongly 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.
30 And it came about, when He had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them.
31 And then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32 They said to one another, “Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”
33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,
34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon!”
35 They began to relate their experiences on the road, and how He was recognized by them at the breaking of the bread.
The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
Disciples’ eyes closed
Two unnamed disciples were hurrying to a village called Emmaus. Although the risen Jesus was walking with them, they did not realize that it was Him, for their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. (1) They referred to Jesus as “a prophet mighty in deed and word.” However, Jesus is more than a prophet. He is the very Son of God. (2) They said, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel,” but they did not understand the meaning of the cross. “Redemption” means to buy back by paying a price, and the cross of Calvary reveals the greatness of the price God paid. God redeemed Israel – and us – by sacrificing the life of His Son, Jesus. The price of your life is the very life of Jesus Himself. (3) They said, “We were hoping.” Sadly, their faith had become something of the past. Has your faith become a thing of the past?
Disciples’ eyes opened
The moment came when the disciples’ eyes were opened. (1) It was God’s timing. Unless God opens one’s eyes, no one can encounter the living Christ. (2) When Jesus broke the bread, their eyes were opened. They must have seen the marks of the nails in His hands. (3) The explanation of the Scriptures by Jesus gave them assurance. Luke writes, “Then beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets, He explained to them the things written about Himself in all the Scriptures.” The Old Testament is a book that testifies about Jesus. After hearing Jesus explain the Old Testament, the disciples said to one another, “Were our hearts not burning within us when He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” The explanation of Scripture is the best way to ignite the fire of faith in the heart. Is your heart being set aflame by the Word of God? Is your daily devotion a place where you encounter the living Christ? Let us now recognize Jesus, who is walking with you.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please remove the veil from my eyes. I acknowledge and believe that the Lord Jesus is walking with me even today. Please give me a burning fire of faith in my heart. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.