Have you ever been talking to someone, and only later found out “who they were?” Maybe it was someone you were supposed to know, but you didn’t make the connection? Something similar happened to two followers of Jesus as they were traveling on the road to Emmaus. In the account in Luke 24, we see Jesus come to them as they were discussing the events of the last few days and arguing with each other on the road. The Bible says, “Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing Him.”
What are some things we can see from this encounter?
- Jesus Comforted Them:
Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged. (verse17)
They began to tell Jesus all the events that had happened (to Jesus), and he spoke to them from the Scriptures, “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” (verse 27)
He took the Word, more powerful than a two-edged sword, and spoke to them about the things that had just taken place.
- Jesus Corrected Them:
It was clear that the disciples were expecting a Ruler to redeem Israel, to free it from Roman oppression. …” But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened.” (verse 21)
When Jesus spoke to them about the truth about Himself from the Scriptures, he was correcting their false assumptions, their incorrect view of true freedom.
-Jesus Challenged Them
He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” (verse 25)
He then connected them to His word by going through the Scriptures and “connecting the dots” for them, explaining how He was the fulfillment of the Scriptures.
-Jesus Convinced Them
30It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. 32 So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. 36 And as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace to you!”
It was through the breaking of the bread that their eyes were opened. Maybe they saw the nail markings on his hands as he handed them the bread, or maybe it was something else that caused their eyes to be opened, but His resurrection became a reality for them at that moment. They were convinced He was the risen Savior, and they would never be the same.
What about you? Have your eyes been opened? Have you seen Jesus for who he really is? Do you know the truth, woven throughout Scripture, about His saving power? Come break the bread and see…
Pastor Russ Harbin