On the Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2008 Harold Dinsmore

              This morning we are going to look at the aspect of our lives that we often don’t think about too much, we just do it.  It is a part of our behavior that either helps or hampers our perception of others and our world around us.  This aspect of ourselves is called awareness.

               In our story here in Luke 24 we find an episode that will aid our understanding of our awareness.  We are going to look at what happened and then discuss how this will give us insight into the world which surrounds us.  Read with me now beginning in verse 13.  “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.  He asked them, What are you discussing together as you walk along?  They stood still, their faces downcast.  One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?  What things? He asked.  About Jesus of Nazareth, they replied.  He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.  The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.  And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.  In addition, some of the women amazed us.  They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body.  They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.  Then some of us companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.  He said to them, How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Did no the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.  As they approached the village which they were going, Jesus acted as if he was going further.  But they urged him strongly, stay with us, for it is nearing evening; the days is almost over.  So he went in to stay with them.  When he was at table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  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?  They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.  There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, it is true!  The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.  Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”