On the Road to Emmaus April 16,2006
Read Luke 24:13-27

Key verses: Luke 24:25-26
Jesus said to them," How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?

According to The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible, this scripture is the most dramatic resurrection narrative in the New Testament. It is found only in Luke. Although he uses Mark, Luke’s account of the Resurrection is unique. For one thing he makes it clear that the event of the walk to Emmaus took place on that very day. i.e. on Easter. The site of Emmaus has never been positively identified .The town of Emmaus is believed to have been very near Jerusalem.

According to the story, two disciples are walking from Jerusalem to this town. As they walk along discussing the recent happenings in Jerusalem, they are joined by the risen Jesus, who is not recognized by them. We are told that their eyes were kept from recognizing him. This probably means, not that some miracle of blinding has occurred, but that a special opening of the eyes is necessary for seeing the risen Christ. Proof of the inward character of this blindness can be seen in the fact that even when they stand still they do not know the identity of the other pilgrim.

When Jesus asked what recent events they were discussing, Cleopas is surprised and answered that the event of the Crucification is widely known. To answer Jesus’ lack of information, the two disciples tell the basic elements off the message of Jesus. They have accepted him as a prophet. The chief priests and rulers of Jerusalem are guilty of his death. The disciples hoped he was the Messiah, but now their hopes have been dashed. The reference to the third day hints knowledge of Jesus’ prediction of his resurrection. To be sure, women have found no body. Yet for all the evidence of an empty tomb, no one has seen the risen Lord.

Jesus criticizes their faith, using the whole OT to prove that the Christ should suffer...and enter into his glory. Luke believes the total witness of Moses and all the prophets is that the Messiah’s role involves a suffering which leads to triumph.

It is noteworthy that Cleopas and his companion did not keep their experience to themselves, but told it to others.

Prayer: Father thank you for the resurrection of your son Jesus.

Luther McCollum

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