And behold, two of them were going that same day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had happened. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself approached and was going with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, “What are these words that you are discussing with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a mighty prophet in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. But also some women among us astounded us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and not finding His body, they came, saying that they had also 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 exactly as the women also said, but Him they did not see.” And He said to them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
Luke 24:13-27
Introduction
This passage is often brought up when discussing the role of the Old Testament. For some, it signifies the entire purpose of the pre-Christ scriptures as that which speaks directly of Him. For others, it demonstrates that only some of the scriptures speak of Him, while the others merely point in His general direction. But when you consider where this passage appears, between His resurrection and His ascension, it is apparent that this is part of the re-assembly of Christ’s followers who have given up hope in the light of His death on the cross.
This passage gives us another glimpse into how even the disciples thought and behaved without an apparent presence of God with them. Instead of arguing about greatness, though, they were wondering what steps to take next. They earnestly believed Jesus would take an earthly throne in their lifetime, but felt the rug pull out from under them, not knowing how to lift themselves up.
Taking inventory
These two disciples, one named Cleopas, were out on the road discussing what they had only recently witnessed. And when Jesus appeared to them, though veiled, they were quick to recount to Him the things they were discussing.
First, they identified Jesus as, “a mighty prophet in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people.” Given their immediate disbelief that even this apparent stranger was unaware of what had taken place, it is reasonable to think that most, if not all, people considered Jesus to be a great prophet in their midst. A prophet who is not only able to perform powerful miracles, but to call others to repentance is a hallmark of Jesus’ identity in the minds of these disciples.
Next, they spoke of Jesus’ death at the hands of men in power. These disciples earnestly believed, “that it was He who was going to redeem Israel,” and deliver her from the hand of Rome. Such a redemption would require resources and power. That power is exactly what those who had Him killed did not wish to relinquish. This is just one truth Paul clings to in Galatians 3 when he appeals to the public nature of Christ’s crucifixion before the straying churches of Galatia. There is no doubt that any man present in Jerusalem at this time knew who Jesus was, what He was supposed to do, and how He was murdered by the hand of the Sanhedrin.
He opened their minds
During their discourse, it became obvious that even after Christ’s public portrayal on the cross, there were those who believed His battle was an earthly one. And so He rebuked them, “O foolish ones and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
Several times earlier, Christ had taught the disciples that it would be necessary for Him to suffer and die. He taught them from the scriptures and He taught them from His own authority, but each time they did not understand and found themselves afraid to ask. Even after witnessing it with their own eyes, they continued in their fear and lack of understanding. And so He began to teach them.
Then, if you jump down to verse 45, you can tell that even if the two disciples on the road were able to understand Him, the rest did not adequately receive their message. Because finally, “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” we can be sure of the trustworthy nature of their testimony.
Even the disciples needed their minds to be opened and illuminated to truly understand what God has spoken, it should not be a surprise to you when you find a text difficult or confusing. But pray earnestly for God to open your mind, and He will be faithful to do so. He is the source of all truth, knowledge, and goodness. And He will not withhold any good thing from you that will deepen your relationship with Him and make you a more effective tool for expanding His Kingdom.
May the Lord bless you and conform you into the image of His Son.
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