On a Road to Emmaus

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up 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 happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even 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 him they did not see.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Luke 24:13–35
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On a Road to Emmaus
There are many things in this world that vie for our attention. All of them ultimately have the same goal in mind: to take our eyes off of Christ. The things of this world blind us to the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. And it would be in this spiritual blindness that we would remain if not for the Holy Spirit coming to us and giving us faith. We need to hear the Words of Jesus, they have to work faith in our hearts, otherwise, we stumble around in the dark, not knowing where we are headed. Even for the believer, God’s Word is crucial for survival. It is the air we need to breathe to stay alive. Without it, we suffocate on the things of this world. Just as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus needed Jesus to join them so too do we need His Words for us today. Jesus interprets His death and resurrection through the Old Testament before revealing Himself in the breaking of the bread with the disciples. They were “Slow of heart to believe,” and that describes us when we doubt or do not accept all that the Scriptures teach about Jesus. God, who has given us the Scriptures to make us wise for salvation, opens our eyes to believe Jesus. May our Lord and Savior always abide with us on our road. May His Words and the breaking of His bread open our eyes and hearts to His truth.