When Jesus Walks Beside You (Luke 24:13–43)
After Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t just appear in grand ways. Sometimes, He showed up in quiet, personal moments. Luke 24:13–43 tells the story of how Jesus met two of His followers on the road—and how their hearts were changed forever.
A Walk Full of Questions
Two followers of Jesus were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a small village about seven miles away. As they walked, they talked about everything that had just happened—Jesus’ death, the empty tomb, and the confusing news that some women said He was alive.
They were sad, confused, and trying to make sense of it all.
Suddenly, Jesus Himself came up and started walking with them—but they didn’t recognize Him. Their eyes were somehow kept from seeing who He really was.
Jesus asked them what they were talking about, and they explained all their disappointments and questions. They had hoped Jesus would save Israel, but now He was gone. Or so they thought.
The Truth Explained
Then Jesus began to speak. He didn’t just comfort them—He taught them. Starting with the writings of Moses and the prophets (what we now call the Old Testament), He explained how all of it pointed to the Messiah—and how everything had happened just as God had planned.
Even though they didn’t yet know it was Jesus, something powerful was happening. Their hearts were burning within them, full of excitement and hope as He spoke.
Eyes Opened at the Table
When they reached their destination, the two men invited Jesus to stay and eat with them. As they sat down at the table, Jesus broke the bread—and in that moment, their eyes were opened. They realized it was Him!
Then, just as suddenly, He disappeared from their sight.
Even though it was late, they couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They ran back to Jerusalem to tell the others:
“It is true! The Lord has risen!”
Peace in the Middle of Fear
While the disciples were all together, still trying to understand everything, Jesus appeared among them and said,
“Peace be with you.”
They were startled and afraid, thinking they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus calmed their fears. He showed them His hands and feet and let them touch Him to prove He was real. He even ate some fish to show that He was not just a spirit.
What This Means for Us
This story reminds us that Jesus often walks with us even when we don’t realize it. In our confusion, sadness, or doubts, He is near. He listens, He teaches, and He opens our eyes—often in ordinary moments like a walk or a meal.
It also shows us that the resurrection isn’t just about a past event. It’s about a living Savior who still comes close to His followers today.
Final Thought
In Luke 24:13–43, Jesus meets people on the road, at the table, and in a locked room. Wherever we are—on a journey, in fear, or full of questions—He comes with peace, truth, and hope.
You may not always recognize Him at first, but know this: Jesus walks beside you, and He’s still opening hearts today.
Luke 24:13-43 (WEB)
24:13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. 15 While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”19 He said to them, “What things?”They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”25 He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” 27 Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.28 They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.29 They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”He went in to stay with them. 30 When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. 31 Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.36 As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”37 But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 He took them, and ate in front of them.