Road

Luke 24:13-32 (The Message)

13-16 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.

17-18 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?"

19-24 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."

25-27 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.

28-31 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.

32 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?"

Here we are, so near the very end of the Gospel of Luke...and we meet "Cleopas," and his unnamed friend for the first time.

They are walking on the road to Emmaus. They have been Jesus-followers. Their description of "our women" seems to indicate that they feel very connected to the disciples and the larger group that had looked to Jesus as their rabbi.

They are grieving. They feel lost and confused by the crucifixion and now the first reports of a missing body.

They meet a traveller on the road who is very different than most...and yet somehow intimately familiar.

He listens to their pain, and then begins setting them straight.

What a gift these two experience! Jesus, present with them, explaining all of the scriptures and prophecies that foretold his death and resurrection!

Of all the stories that Luke could choose to tell, he chooses this story of "Cleopas," and the Emmaus Road encounter.

No one knows why it was chosen, but I'm thankful that we have it.

So many times, we are confused pilgrims on the path. We know that something we just saw has deep, spiritual significance. We know that even though the things we sometimes see don't make sense...God is deeply involved in working his purposes.

The Holy Spirit...the presence of Christ...the scriptures and their message...these are the things that can make the pieces fall in place.

When we carefully, prayerfully look back at the years of our lives...or even just the events of yesterday...we too can have those beautiful moments when we say, "didn't we feel on fire...as he opened the scriptures for us?"

Like Cleopas and his companion...we may catch fleeting glimpses of Jesus in our midst...and they are enough to help us catch fire.

Father, we pray for your help today...and for an appearance of your presence that we can see, even if for just a moment. We pray that the veil would be somehow lifted, and that you would move us deeper in faith and hope.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.