The Road To Emmaus

The Road To Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

In this incident, God prevented 2 persons (Cleopas and companion) who were on their way from Jerusalem to Emmaus (about 10km away, or perhaps half a day's walk) from realising that the person who had joined them on the journey was Jesus Christ himself.

They were downcast, and perhaps in despair. They had heard and believed the sayings of Jesus - that he was the Messiah; but now that Jesus was buried in the grave, they were perplexed and disappointed. Surely, who wouldn't...?

But Jesus, who remained 'anonymous' to them, spent the entire journey teaching them about what Scripture says about the Christ (effectively the entire OT texts), pointing to them how Jesus must die and resurrect on the 3rd day in order with God's plan. They began to understand and 'see light'.

When finally, they arrived at a village to stop for the night, Jesus "acted as if he were going farther" (this is rather hilarious); only to have them ask this 'man' to "stay with us". So Jesus did. At the table, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them.

At that very moment, their spiritual eyes were opened and they immediately recognised that all along, this man was Jesus! And just at that moment, Jesus vanished. Then they also realised in retrospect that while he was explaining to them Scripture, while they were beginning to understand the truth, they had felt a "burning" sense of elation. Immediately, they got up and went all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles and other Jesus followers...

Why did Jesus wait until they had understood the Scriptures, until they sat down at the table and broke bread for him to open their spiritual eyes and 'reveal' himself to them?

Truly, this passage is an astonishingly beautiful story about our own spiritual journeys with our Lord, especially in times of doubt and sadness. Whether we are pre-believers or believers who are undergoing a spiritual trough, or even at a 'plateau', we know that our Lord is there with us, walking with us on this very journey, teaching us, helping us understand him.

Even though he has 'left' us to wait for his return, he has given us "another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth... the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach yuo all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." (John 14:16-27)

What is also reassuring about this story is that Jesus had physically walked with them throughout the entire long journey, patiently explaining to them Scriptures (imagine being lectured on from all 39 books of the OT!)

Also, notice how Jesus had "acted as if he were going farther". Such a strange thing for Jesus to do! In my mind, it appears so comical: like a Jesus trying to sidewalk (like a crab) away as they were having a conversation. But of course, the two persons, having been so blessed by Jesus invited him to stay with them for the night. Now if I were them, I would definitely have done that too.

Notice also how it is only at the table, breaking bread did Jesus reveal himself to them? It is so sweet that after they had understood Scripture for themselves, and have been convinced about the truth, after they had invited him to spend the night with them that he sat down with them in fellowship over supper and reveal himself to them.

The significance of The Road To Emmaus is that it is almost the epitome of our spiritual journey. Our Lord God is the very one who helps us understand Scripture, understand the Word, slowly, gradually. While we are intellectually understanding Scripture, we also begin to develop a relationship with Him (the "burning within us" v32), and He also begin to reveal Himself to us. When He ensures that we have sufficiently understood for ourselves the truth, He invites us to invite Him in (in this case, by "acting as if he were going farther"); this may also reflect our spiritual troughs -- the 'lows' we feel are perhaps His invitation for us to invite Him in again. Only because we have invited Him in, do we get to fellowship with Him at the table. And when He has revealed Himself to us, He 'disappears' so that we may have faith (after all, would it be called faith if it required seeing Him tangibly?) And finally, because we have that faith and that "burning" elation in us, we have an immediate urgent desire to return to Jerusalem (where our peers and friends are still unbelieving) to tell them about the truth of Jesus' resurrection.

So you see, The Road To Emmaus is not just Cleopas' journey; it is our very individual journey with the Lord. I am amazed yet again, and I thank God He had made this possible for us, by His beautiful grace alone.

Thank you Lord.