Luke 24:13-35
On the Road to Emmaus
13Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesa from Jerusalem. 14They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16but they were kept from recognizing him.
17He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does 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. 20The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but 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. 22In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29But 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.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Nothing refreshes a relationship more than surprise and show of concern; even stern correction from ones we love lets us know they care. Why? They care enough to be there to say and do what's needful rather than what is expedient.
Journeying to Emmaeus, two travelers replayed in lively discussion the timeline of Christ's passion. They'd heard it all, the women seeing the empty tomb along with firsthand accounts of Christ's appearances to the Eleven and doubting Thomas. Whether they were part of the seventy or mere fringe followers, we don't know; but from their lively back and forth regarding Christ's Passion (They reasoned, doubtless, about the probability or improbability that Jesus was the Messiah; about the evidence of his resurrection; about what was to be done in the present state of things Barnes Notes on the Bible), doubt and fear pervaded at least one of them regarding the truth of this Anointed One. Was it all a myth? These unsettled travelers needed Christ to give them eyes to believe his words.
The imperfect voice used here tells us Christ was fully human to them as his presence, walking and talking with them, seemed nothing out of the ordinary Meyer's NT Commentary. He walked and talked with them as they expressed their doubt, fear, even despair over the things which occurred during Passion week. His part was first to listen earfully (new word in the making) to the concerns that made for their increased heart palpitation. Walking their mile and hearing the blemish and blight circumventing pure faith; he opted to upbraid them verbally. "Fools" (harsh translation) is what he called them Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. His point was that they were slow to place believing confidence in his promise to rise. Meyer's NT Commentary Like a wife, who speaks lovingly but is first to give her husband an earful; Christ admonished them, knowing their knowledge of the OT and its anticipation-Christ. Matthew Henry puts it best, Our weak faith keeps us from accessing the comfort Christ offers. Christ's part here before the Promise (Spirit) came was to be their strength; he wills us into believing his words and is careful to ensure that he illumines us in a time and way that lasts a lifetime. His words to them echoed his heart to see them live by the life in his words. Senseless even stupid were they to believe that Christ could be held by death. His words to them were to warm their faith, underscore their unbelief, and express surprise at their doubt/questions regarding his resurrection.
His way with them had evident impact. The moment he came into view as not mere man but bread from heaven; faith-life filled them once more. Having eyes, they saw the star of OT prophesy, the very Prophet of Deuteronomy. With illumed eyes and awakened souls, they marched back to Jerusalem and with breaded excitement told the Eleven,
“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Luke 24 NIV
27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Journeying to Emmaeus, two travelers replayed in lively discussion the timeline of Christ's passion. They'd heard it all, the women seeing the empty tomb along with firsthand accounts of Christ's appearances to the Eleven and doubting Thomas. Whether they were part of the seventy or mere fringe followers, we don't know; but from their lively back and forth regarding Christ's Passion (They reasoned, doubtless, about the probability or improbability that Jesus was the Messiah; about the evidence of his resurrection; about what was to be done in the present state of things Barnes Notes on the Bible), doubt and fear pervaded at least one of them regarding the truth of this Anointed One. Was it all a myth? These unsettled travelers needed Christ to give them eyes to believe his words.
The imperfect voice used here tells us Christ was fully human to them as his presence, walking and talking with them, seemed nothing out of the ordinary Meyer's NT Commentary. He walked and talked with them as they expressed their doubt, fear, even despair over the things which occurred during Passion week. His part was first to listen earfully (new word in the making) to the concerns that made for their increased heart palpitation. Walking their mile and hearing the blemish and blight circumventing pure faith; he opted to upbraid them verbally. "Fools" (harsh translation) is what he called them Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. His point was that they were slow to place believing confidence in his promise to rise. Meyer's NT Commentary Like a wife, who speaks lovingly but is first to give her husband an earful; Christ admonished them, knowing their knowledge of the OT and its anticipation-Christ. Matthew Henry puts it best, Our weak faith keeps us from accessing the comfort Christ offers. Christ's part here before the Promise (Spirit) came was to be their strength; he wills us into believing his words and is careful to ensure that he illumines us in a time and way that lasts a lifetime. His words to them echoed his heart to see them live by the life in his words. Senseless even stupid were they to believe that Christ could be held by death. His words to them were to warm their faith, underscore their unbelief, and express surprise at their doubt/questions regarding his resurrection.
His way with them had evident impact. The moment he came into view as not mere man but bread from heaven; faith-life filled them once more. Having eyes, they saw the star of OT prophesy, the very Prophet of Deuteronomy. With illumed eyes and awakened souls, they marched back to Jerusalem and with breaded excitement told the Eleven,
“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
Luke 24 NIV
27And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29But 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.
30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
In our doubt, he shadows near us
When we wander, trudging with us
When our feeble hearts spurn him
He seek us constant, yearning his
Yes, we threaten, despise, desert him
But his eyes for us unflinching
Will to keep us in his fold
So he comforts, chides, and scolds
When time is ripe he says,
How could you? I'm the one, who never left you, calm wayfarer, comfort, still
Abide in me-trust my will
May the life ours for his rising from the dead meet us in our doubt, despair, and desperation and fill us with grace to trust him with the details of our lives, knowing his hand is on us to deepen our faith, broaden our reach, and keep us on path to making real his resurrection and reign in us.
In our doubt, he shadows near us
When we wander, trudging with us
When our feeble hearts spurn him
He seek us constant, yearning his
Yes, we threaten, despise, desert him
But his eyes for us unflinching
Will to keep us in his fold
So he comforts, chides, and scolds
When time is ripe he says,
How could you? I'm the one, who never left you, calm wayfarer, comfort, still
Abide in me-trust my will
May the life ours for his rising from the dead meet us in our doubt, despair, and desperation and fill us with grace to trust him with the details of our lives, knowing his hand is on us to deepen our faith, broaden our reach, and keep us on path to making real his resurrection and reign in us.
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