Which Parts of this Story Stand Out to You?

 

The Pilgrims of Emmaus on the Road by James Tissot

Luke 24:13-35

That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem.  They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They just stood there, long-faced, like they had lost their best friend. Then one of them, his name was Cleopas, said, “Are you the only one in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard what’s happened during the last few days?”

He said, “What has happened?”

They said, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene. He was a man of God, a prophet, dynamic in work and word, blessed by both God and all the people. Then our high priests and leaders betrayed him, got him sentenced to death, and crucified him. And we had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel.                                                                      

And it is now the third day since it happened. But now some of our women have completely confused us. Early this morning they were at the tomb and couldn’t find his body. They came back with the story that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive.  Some of our friends went off to the tomb to check and found it empty just as the women said, but they didn’t see Jesus.”

Then he said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” 

Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: “Stay and have supper with us. It’s nearly evening; the day is done.” So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.   

Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?”  

They didn’t waste a minute. They were up and on their way back to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and their friends gathered together, talking away: “It’s really happened! The Master has been raised up—Simon saw him!”  

Then the two went over everything that happened on the road and how they recognized him when he broke the bread. 

As I read this story slowly, out loud, I was watching Jesus. He walked with two disciples and talked with them, probably for about an hour.  First, he listened carefully to what they were concerned about.  Once he knew what was on their minds and what they needed help with, he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

That’s a lot of time and a lot of scripture to explain!  Is God inviting us into that kind of relationship?

I also noticed that it was only when they broke bread together, did they recognize him as the Risen Christ.  And then he disappeared!  Is that how we recognize Jesus, in hindsight, after He has  walked beside us and helped us to understand and cope with a very difficult trial?

Our journey of Eastertide began at the tomb, and ends this week, gathering at The Lord's Table once again. We will immerse ourselves in this story of disciples like us, who were on the road, grappling with things that had happened to them, and all the emotions they felt.  

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”  ― Frederick Buechner, Now and Then