*Luke 24:13-43
Two disciples encounter the risen Jesus in disguise but only recognize him after he breaks bread.
- The Road to Emmaus:
- On the same day of the resurrection, two disciples are walking to the village of Emmaus, discussing the recent events concerning Jesus.
- Jesus Himself joins them on their journey, but they do not recognize Him due to their eyes being kept from recognizing Him.
- Jesus Explains the Scriptures:
- The disciples express their disappointment that Jesus, whom they hoped would redeem Israel, was crucified.
- They also mention the perplexing report from some women in their group, who found Jesus’ tomb empty and saw angels who said He was alive.
- Jesus rebukes their lack of understanding and faith and proceeds to explain all the Scriptures concerning Himself, starting from Moses through all the Prophets.
- The Revelation at Emmaus:
- As they near Emmaus, Jesus acts as if He will continue traveling, but the disciples urge Him to stay with them since it is nearly evening.
- During the meal, as Jesus blesses and breaks the bread, their eyes are opened, and they recognize Him, but He vanishes from their sight.
- The disciples reflect on how their hearts felt warm when Jesus explained the Scriptures on the road.
- Return to Jerusalem:
- The disciples immediately return to Jerusalem, finding the Eleven and others gathered, proclaiming that the Lord has truly risen.
- They share their experience of recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread.
- Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Jerusalem:
- While they are discussing these events, Jesus Himself stands among them, offering peace and showing them His hands and feet to prove He is not a ghost.
- The disciples are initially frightened and astonished, but Jesus asks for something to eat to further demonstrate His physical reality, and He eats a piece of broiled fish in their presence.
Luke 24:13-43 teaches us that Jesus is always with us, even when we don’t recognize Him. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were sad and confused, but Jesus walked with them and helped them understand God’s plan. Later, when He appeared to His disciples, He gave them peace and reassurance. We can apply this by trusting that Jesus is with us in our struggles, even when we don’t feel it right away. When we read the Bible and pray, He helps us understand His truth. Instead of losing hope, we should look for Jesus in our daily lives and trust in His presence.
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.