ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS ON THE EMMAUS ROAD.
Luke 24:13-35.
A man named Cleopas and his travelling companion were on their way back from Jerusalem, walking the seven miles to a village named Emmaus. Their conversation was very much taken up with concerns about the death of Jesus. A stranger drew near, and walked with them. Unbeknown to them, it was Jesus. The Lord drew from them a full rehearsal of the facts surrounding His death, and of the reports of the empty tomb (Luke 24:13-24).
It is not enough to know the facts about Jesus. It is necessary that we have a personal encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, and allow Him to open up to us the true meaning of the Scriptures concerning Himself. It is no accident that both the Bible and Jesus Himself are known as ‘The Word of God!’
The Saviour was but a stranger to the two on the Emmaus road as they walked and talked with Him. Yet He revealed Himself to them when they invited Him into their home. They recognised Him in the breaking of bread. Does not our heart burn within us, and give us new vigour when we have had communion with Christ and listened to His Word? (Luke 24:25-32).
We do not need to have all the answers in order to become Christians. But when we invite Jesus into our hearts, He will reveal Himself more fully to us. And we will recognise Him in the breaking of bread in the Lord's Supper, and in the fellowship of God's people.
The two now returned to the upper room in Jerusalem. What a scene met them there upon their return! The dejected church was now declaring its Easter message: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” To which they added their own testimony of the risen Lord (Luke 24:33-35).
