On The Road To Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

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 recognizing 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 only a visitor to Jerusalem and do 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 of heart 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 farther.

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 recognized 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."

35. Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

It’s the third day since Jesus died by crucifixion, on a cross, like a murdering thief.

Buried in a borrowed tomb.

It’s the third day. But we are not in Jerusalem gathered in the Garden of Gethsemane, or one of Jesus’ other more secret recreational sites, for a dinner on the ground Easter celebration.

We do not find the disciples gathered in the upper room for a Sunrise surprise party—

We do not see banners—plastered with gigantic red letters that read—"Welcome back Jesus" stretching across main street in Jerusalem.

It’s the third day…and here we find ourselves, in Luke chapter 24, here with two of Jesus’ disciples on their way out of town…leaving Jerusalem… on the road to Emmaus.

It is about 5:00 in the evening as they walk—huddled close together. They talk frantically between themselves in excited, hushed tones about all that has happened in the last few days:

"Did you see? Did you see the way Peter denied ever knowing him?"

"Did you see the way the Master looked at him…that looking of knowing….that look of forgiveness…that look of grief…I’ve never seen a look like it. And probably never will again."

"Did you see how they beat him with the whip until his back was nothing more than bloodied, dangling strips of meat?"

"Did you see tears welling up in the eyes of the centurion whose servant Jesus healed?"

"Can you believe how the crowd shouted for Bararbas’ release?"

"Can you believe how they turned on Jesus?"

"Can you believe some of the faces there were some of the same faces I know I saw among the 5,000…the same faces shoving fish and bread in their mouths till they had their fill when Jesus was teaching on the hillside—cursing and spitting on him as he struggled up that hill…"

"Did you wince, like I did, every time the hammer struck the nails…piercing through his wrists and the soft tops of his feet….again…and again….and again…and again ….and again…and again."