In the cool of the day, two men from Emmaus were returning from Jerusalem. They had a seven-mile journey ahead of them and plenty to talk about. Unrest was at an all-time high amongst the believers. Rumors were being spread, seeds of doubt and confusion were sprouting and fear of the unknown was overwhelming the disciples. Cleopas and his friend, (who many bible scholars believe to be the narrator of the incident, Luke), had a long day, hearing a different version of the events. The disciples claiming that Jesus had risen and the Chief Priests claiming that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body. I can only imagine how tiring that day would have been for the disciples both mentally and physically.
While they were still talking about the events and discussing what all they heard as they returned to the village of Emmaus when Suddenly A Man appears to them and seemed to be going their way. He asks them what is all the commotion about. To which Cleopas answers in sarcasm, “Is this your first visit to Jerusalem”. He could have very well said that “Have you been hiding under a rock for the past 3 years.” Such was the degree of Christ’s movements a common knowledge in those days. Jesus Himself was the stranger that they were walking with, but He kept them from recognizing Him.
“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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
Luke 24:19-24
Their narration of the events showed their lack of faith. The man they had followed and believed to be the Messiah was now just a ‘Prophet’ to them. Their faith is shaken to the extent that they found it hard to believe that some of the disciples had seen Jesus earlier that day. It took just 3 days for them to forget all what Jesus had been telling them for the past 3 years. Can we put ourselves in their shoes, amongst all the turmoil, and ascertain that our faith would not have wavered? Jesus knows our shortcomings. He knew the state of confusion his disciples were in and chose to appear amongst them.
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Luke 24:24-27
He opened the scriptures to them one last time. From Moses to the Psalmist to the Prophet Hosea, He listed out all the prophesies that were made regarding Christ’s sufferings and his resurrection. He was explaining to them what all these prophesies meant while they stood in awe of his knowledge of the scriptures. Roughly, a journey of seven miles would take an hour to cover. Oh what an hour of fellowship they had with Christ. They had no idea that they were in the company of Jesus. To them, he was a wise man who knew the scriptures thoroughly.
When they had reached the village they invited Jesus to their house for supper. At the table when Jesus broke bread in the familiar way, immediately the two men recognized Him but He disappeared from their presence. The men rushed back to Jerusalem and found ‘The Eleven’ and told them all that had happened. It was the reassurance they all needed after a day full of panic. Why Jesus chose to appear to these men on that road is not known, neither are any further acts of these two men mentioned in the New Testament. But on that evening they provided a beacon of hope to all the believers then and now.
The Jordan Valley 
You bring out some good points. I always look at this story as, this is the message Jesus gave to His disciples to preach to the world when He opened up the scriptures about His life and ministry here. I can’t begin to explain all the things I learned when I put aside the concepts and things the world has been teaching about God’s Word and studied those scriptures Jesus opened up to those men, then His disciples. Looking back at those scriptures about Jesus and comparing them to texts explaining how Jesus fulfilled each is like learning at Jesus’ feet, being a real disciples, and learning about His personality as well as the plan of salvation. Not in the eyes of the world, but the heart of God’s Spirit. Like you pointed out. There are rumors and then there’s God’s way of showing what actually happened.
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Reblogged this on thejourneyinchrist.
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Jesus appearance on the road to Emmaus is one of my favorite stories. It reminds us that when we are puzzled and trying to make sense of things around us, Christ will show up and bless us. We are then to bless others. Christianity is a wonderful faith and Jesus Christ is a wonderful Savior and LORD.
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Hi
Firstly I would like to thank you for following my blog.
Secondly, I would like to just say you have beautifully laid out blog. I love the pictures and the layout…..very professional.
Thirdly, I would like to comment on this post. I like the points you made. I never saw it the way you described it. The two disciples had lost hope and yes we could criticize them for that but would we have done better? I am not sure I would be stronger than them. An excellently written post. Thanks for sharing…… 🙂
Rolain.
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Hello Kimi!
I enjoyed this post! Also, thank you for following my blog at Faith1st Ministries. I hope it has and will continue to be a major blessing in your life. May God richly bless you as you continue to write and blog. Please continue with us on this journey and remember to have Faith 1st because the “just shall live by his faith.” — Sebastian
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God works in mysterious but wonderful and blessed ways, many times it’s not until we think back and then see the blessed works and miracles of Jesus, thanks.
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Thank you for liking my post. I enjoy the Emmaus road experience myself. I love how Jesus started at Genesis and showed how the Scriptures all point to Him, the Word made flesh!
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They were all just men. Blessed and holy, but still just men. Jesus knew they would need a gentle nudge once He was gone and provide it, He did. Lovely passage about human frailty and divine intervention. Thank you for following my blog.
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I believe that “on The Road To Emmaus” is a symbolic prophecy as well. Also, thank you for your “like” on “what Napoleon said about Jesus” in my “Best Bible Blog.” I actually just threw that into my posting because I was not ready to publish one of my own. I love your site, the posts & your arrangement of these articles.
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kimi17, I am glad you liked my post ‘The Belles of St. Trinitarians – A Comedy of Trinitarian Errors’ at http://www.havefaithinjesus.wordpress.com , I hope it will prove useful.
Thanks for your post on the ‘Road to Emmaus’ – a lovely reminder of the Lord’s patience and love for us.
God bless,
Jacob
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I cannot help but put myself in the shoes, er, sandals, of those disciples. How quickly I forget the truths revealed to me in such short order.
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Hey…This was a great read…and thanks for the “Likes” on 20for20; glad you enjoyed it.
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Beautifully written – thank you for sharing this sweet truth!
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Loved this! Shared it on Twitter and followed you there as well!
Steve Pejay
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Thank You
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My pleasure!
Steve
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Reblogged this on The Better Direction and commented:
When we exercise faith the Holy Spirit will open the seals on the scriptures for us just as Jesus did for these men
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I love it where Jesus broke bread with the folk who invited Him in; “…and they knew Him in the breaking of bread.” We too know Him in the breaking of bread. “Lord please give me a greater knowing of your Love towards me.”
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And two thousands of years later, “Blessed is he who has not seen and has believed” resonates as government starts to roll over the Church …
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I enjoyed reading your perspective on this great story, especially as you are much more knowledgeable about the Gospels than I. Actually, I only carefully read this passage from Luke this Easter. It’s interesting to me that you also focus on the crisis of faith and the disbelief of the report of Mary Magdalene (and others Easter morn). I had not read the comment of Cleopas to be sarcastic, but now that you mention it, I can see that fits with the story.
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Reblogged this on mwathablog.
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Luke 24 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible; it makes me excited thinking about studying Messianic prophecies that predicts Jesus hundreds and even a thousand plus years before it happened!
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Reblogged this on Saint of Blasphemy and commented:
A reflection on the Emma’s Road story. It’s an odd story, one that I will also be talking about soon.
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Interesting story and reflection. Post-resurrection appearances of Jesus are all quite unusual. I shall be talking about this in a sermon next week. Will blog it shortly afterwards.
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Eager to get your thoughts on the passage.
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For me these appearances are like ancient ghost stories. The disciples are coming to terms with the death of a close friend. Even the very physical story with Thomas has Jesus walking through a closed door.
This isn’t a theory, just my perspective. I’m a Christian and Atheist and enjoy looking at these passages from different angles.
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Ya that’s what I thought you would say especially after reading your blog. Interesting perspective. Will be following your blog to get your perspective on other passages as well. Nice to meet you. Will keep in touch.
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Thank-you very much for your response. I’m very new to blogging. I’m not sure How to link to other blogs on my page.
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Hit the reblog (wordpress) button under any post.
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The as black.
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Thanks.
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When your post appeared on Facebook, it looks like I wrote it.
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Ya. Facebook is just for sharing not blogging so it just shares the article.
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Yes, but when it shares, underneath it says, by David Waring! A friend congratulated me on it! I suppose I need to be able to link without reblogging. Maybe add a fresh page dedicated to blogs I follow? Thanks for your time.
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