13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
On Resurrection Sunday, two disciples of Jesus (not from the eleven apostles) were walking on the road to Emmaus. It was a seven-mile walk and they were talking to each other about what had happened. As they chatted, Jesus came alongside them but they were kept from recognising them. Jesus asked them what they were talking about and they were astounded that He seemed to be the only one in Jerusalem who didn’t know what had just happened. Jesus probed them further and asked what things they were talking about. They told Him of Jesus of Nazareth who was a prophet who had done great things and taught with great authority. Then they spoke to Him about how the Jewish leaders had delivered Him over to be condemned to death and crucified. They lamented over the fact that they had hoped He was the one who would have redeemed Israel. But then they explained how some women had been to His tomb, found it empty, and brought back reports of angels who said that He was alive. They also told Him that some others had gone to the tomb and found it empty but they had not heard of anyone who had seen Jesus yet. Then Jesus gently rebuked them for being slow to understand and believe what the prophets had spoken of. He explained how it had always been necessary that the Christ should suffer and then enter His glory. He taught them from Moses (The Pentateuch or Genesis-Deuteronomy) and the Prophets (the rest of the Old Testament), from the whole of the Old Testament, and explained to them everything that the Scriptures taught about Himself.
When they got near to their destination, Jesus acted as if He was going further but they urged Him to stay with them. He stayed with them and when they sat at the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. At that moment their eyes were opened and they realised who they had been speaking with. Immediately He vanished from their sight. Their encounter with Jesus drove them directly back to Jerusalem because they felt compelled to share what they had experienced with the others. When they got to Jerusalem they found the apostles declaring that the Lord had indeed risen and explained that He had appeared to Peter (1 Cor 15:5). Then the two disciples added their testimony of what had happened to them on the road and when breaking bread together with Jesus.
What an amazing experience those two disciples had. They experienced that moment when everything fell into place and what they knew came together into something they could understand and believe. Sometimes we need quite a bit of time from hearing the stories of the Bible to the point where everything fits together in a way that becomes real. Take what you have learned and share it with someone else today and be part of helping them get a clearer picture of what Jesus did for them.
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Jonah Runs from God: Jonah 1-2