Luke 24:13-33

On The Road To Emmaus

Two men traveling down a dirt road from Jerusalem to Emmaus were talking about everything that happened in Jerusalem to Jesus of Nazareth. They were approached by a stranger and asked what they were talking about. They could not believe he did not know of the event. He seemed oblivious. The two men share that “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” They had hoped Jesus was going to redeem Israel, but shared great disappointed that it had not happened. That Jesus was not the one.

As they traveled on foot together, this stranger shared with them what was in the scriptures about Jesus. He knew the complete version of the story, for He WAS Jesus, but they did not recognize him. He wanted his followers to know that His life, death, and resurrection were all foretold in the Hebrew Scriptures. Can you imagine walking and talking with Jesus, and not knowing it’s him?

These two unknowing believers even got to share dinner with Jesus. At their table, Jesus broke bread and shared it with them. At that moment their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus. Then in an instant, He disappeared. Just when they would have had the opportunity to have really had great conversation with Jesus, He vanished.

Perhaps there are times we too, unknowingly see, walk or talk with Jesus. He certainly has the power to arrive on the scene in a moments notice. If perchance Jesus does show up unannounced and in disguise, will we love Him as He modeled for us; unconditionally and without hesitation, with our whole heart?

This relational God we serve expects that of us. His sacrifice was for everyone. His love knows no boundaries. His forgiveness is unending. Is ours?

Read/Listen to: Luke 24:13-33

Those moments ...

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”  Luke 24:31-32

What a moment! 

Can you even imagine walking down the road with a friend and, seemingly out of nowhere, the resurrected Jesus comes up and joins your conversation?  Then, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explains to you “what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself”!  What wouldn’t you give to be there for what had to have been the Bible study of the ages?  If I could insert myself into any one moment in history, that would probably be it.

Yet life walked closely with Christ is actually full of “those moments,” even today.  Those moments ...

... when Jesus joins us on the road to our destination ... and our eyes are opened and our hearts burn within us;
... when, in prayer, we talk with God as openly as the two disciples spoke with Jesus that day ... and our eyes are opened and our hearts burn within us;
... when the Holy Spirit opens up the Scriptures and speaks their deep truths into our spirits ... and our eyes are opened and our hearts burn within us;
... when, like the two men who returned to Jerusalem to tell their story, we share with others our encounters with Jesus ... and their eyes are opened and their hearts burn within them.

For the Scriptures are still living and active, today.  They still point to Jesus, today.  And he still meets us where we are today.

For me, those moments happen each time I sit down with Bible, notepad and pen (and coffee).  It's a simple time of reading God's word ... jotting down whatever related thoughts come to mind ... and writing out a prayerful response.  Without fail, God's word speaks truth and elicits the response that rises up from my soul.  To all the people who had recommended journaling throughout the years, you were right!

How precious the moments when our eyes are opened and our hearts burn within us!  They happen, you know.  They still happen ...

“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:12

[Recommended reading: the Luke 24:13-35 account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in the NIV or The Message.]