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The Journey Becomes Better As You Come to Know Jesus
What a story we find in Luke 24: Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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 took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
He is Risen! continues to be the theme of scriptures for us as we read for this season. And this story contains two credible witnesses who as they're walking to Emmaus encounter a companion for the journey whom they don't recognize at first. It is hard for us to imagine walking as the primary mode of transportation for those days. Everyone walked. Those who had some money could buy a donkey and the very rich might buy a camel which might be considered a luxury import vehicle. It is a sad journey for the two as they walk along trying to make sense of all that happened in Jerusalem. Some scholars have suggested that grief, with crying and mourning, had made it impossible to recognize the person journeying with them. As the stranger joins them he asks what they are talking about and they incredulously ask, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" The companion asks, "What things?" They share the Passion story of Jesus and it is after their sharing that Jesus says, "You haven't yet believed what God shared through His prophets; that this Messiah was to suffer and then enter His glory?" So, Jesus begins a Bible study with them and going through all of Moses and the prophets points to Himself. The study comes to a close as they as nearing Emmaus, and as far as these two witnesses are concerned the story is not over, and they want Jesus to come with them and share more. Jesus accepts. (See how easy it is? Just invite Jesus and He'll come and eat with you. Read Revelation 3:20). As they prepare for supper, Jesus takes the bread, blessed it and broke it and as He did, their eyes were opened and they knew Jesus for Who He truly was. Jesus then disappears. That still does not keep them from celebrating all they had learned and the fact they had seen the Risen Lord. They hurry back to Jerusalem and share with the disciples what they had just experienced.
Easter season is all about seeing and being Jesus. We see Him in the good that we see others doing for God, and others see Him in us in the good that we do for God. Jesus is also seen in those worship experiences where He is place first and foremost in our lives. It matters not the hymn nor the sermon, it matters on our openness to hearing and seeing Jesus as we worship God. God will speak to the heart that is open to His leading. And that word will be a blessing that will last the entire week, and who knows, it may be a blessing that lasts for all eternity.
PRAYER: Living God, come and live among us and continue to speak to us words of hope, love, peace, joy, and words that we can use to invite others to join us on this journey. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
