Luke 24:13-35

originally written August 18

Luke 24:13 ¶ And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 

Luke 24:14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 

Luke 24:15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 

Luke 24:16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 

Luke 24:17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 

Luke 24:18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 

Luke 24:19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 

Luke 24:20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 

Luke 24:21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 

Luke 24:22 “But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 

Luke 24:23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 

Luke 24:24 “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 

Luke 24:25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 

Luke 24:26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 

Luke 24:27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 

Luke 24:28 ¶ And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 

Luke 24:29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. 

Luke 24:30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 

Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 

Luke 24:32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 

Luke 24:33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 

Luke 24:34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 

Luke 24:35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. 

There are times in all our lives where we walk a road and we feel that our hope in God has died, yet we can't let go of what happened.  These men had seen the One they had placed their hope in nailed to a cross and murdered.  Others told them that their Hope was still alive, but these men obviously struggled.  There have been times when I've walked a road with my hopes dashed against the rocks and my faith struggling.  Others tell me that God is moving and that there is Hope, and I struggle.  Jesus was so gentle with these men.  He didn't suddenly reveal Himself and chastise them for their lack of faith.  He didn't leave them to walk the road alone.  He walked next to them as they struggled and He guided them in Truth to understand the things they could not yet see.  These men were faithful in a sense, they continued to seek to understand the things they could not yet see and they continued to reach out even in the midst of their pain.  It was when Jesus sat down to eat them with, to share in communion with them, that Jesus opened their eyes and they were able to understand.  Jesus didn't make belief a condition for fellowship, He made fellowship the place where He revealed Himself.  He didn't make that full revelation a permanent thing though, He revealed Himself enough to restore their Hope and then He hid Himself again.  During all this time these men had a burning in their heart that there was more going on than they could see.  Their hearts burned, they struggled, and they continued to walk the road despite all their struggles.  There are many times when I walk the road and all I have to keep me walking is the burning in my heart.  I listen as others share their stories of Hope, I seek to pay attention to Truth even though I don't fully understand, and I seek fellowship that He may be revealed in that fellowship.  Many times my eyes are closed and I don't see, yet I keep walking and Hoping.