Knowing The Word in Luke 24:13-27, On the Road to Emmaus

The Road to Emmaus narrative is unique to Luke. Two disciples of Jesus encounter him on the day of resurrection as they travel to Emmaus, a town we cannot identify today. The disciples are somehow prevented from recognizing Jesus and see him as a stranger. The past three days have been extremely difficult and they are fraught with sadness. We are given one disciple’s name: Clopas. He may be Jesus’ uncle, the brother of Joseph, but that is a speculative (and interesting) theory. Apparently the story of Jesus is well known in Jerusalem, and these man cannot believe this stranger know nothing about it. Jesus plays dumb to test their understanding of the events and Jesus himself. Their perception of Jesus is limited even though they had seen the power of God in him. They had hoped he would be the promised Deliverer/Messiah, but now it is three days after his death. Apparently these two had been in the upper room with the other disciples. Disappointed in their understanding, Jesus rebukes them as foolish. The cause of their problem is their lack of knowledge of the Scriptures. They are not well versed in God’s word and do not understanding that the Christ must suffer. To help them, Jesus begins a systematic Bible study of the Old Testament, connecting all the dots! This may have been the greatest Hebrew Bible study in history. They had wrong ideas as people do today that need correction by bringing out the truth and reliability of Scripture. The prophets do not hide his suffering, but humans often overlook suffering and focus on glory. The cross had not defeated Jesus. In fact, God triumphs through his sufferings.

Luke 24:13-27

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 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. 18 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?” 19 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, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 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. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 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. 24 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.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Prayer

Blessed Lord, by whose providence all holy scriptures were written and preserved for our instruction, give us grace to study them this and every day with patience and love. Strengthen our souls with the fullness of their divine teaching. Keep from us all pride and irreverence. Guide us in the deep things of thy heavenly wisdom, and of thy great mercy lead us by thy Word unto everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Brooke Foss Wescott, 1825-1901