By Toni Ford
In the Book of Luke, we read about a “walk” that often is referred to as the “Road to Emmaus.” This walk took place on the same day as Jesus’ resurrection, and although it started out in disbelief, confusion, and sadness, it ended in amazing joy and love and with great revelation.
The Gospel of Luke, chapter 24: 13-35, tells us that a man named Cleopas and another follower of Jesus were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, which is approximately a seven to eight-mile journey. Many believe the other “disciple,” or “follower of Jesus,” who was traveling with Cleopas was actually his wife, Mary. John 19:25 reads, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
Here we learn that Mary, the wife of Cleopas, was also present in Jerusalem at the time of the crucifixion, which makes it very likely that she was the one returning to Emmaus with her husband on the morning of the resurrection. Cleopas and Mary had heard the rumors of Jesus’ tomb being empty and Jesus rising from the dead, but instead of taking the time to investigate the reports they were hearing, they decided to head back home. As they started back towards Emmaus with heavy hearts and in deep despair, they began discussing and trying to make some sense of all they had witnessed over the past couple of days.
It was at that point that Jesus joined them on their walk back to Emmaus. They did not recognize Him. The last time they had seen Jesus, He had been beaten and was bleeding all over His body. Now here He was in a glorified body, and they did not know who He was. Luke 24:17-18 says, “Jesus said to them, “You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you talking about, so sad and gloomy?”
They stopped, and the one named Cleopas answered, “Haven’t you heard? Are you the only one in Jerusalem unaware of the things that have happened over the last few days?” (I love the humor and compassion of Jesus in those verses. He knew exactly what they were thinking but He cared enough to let them talk out their thoughts and feelings as He simply listened). After Cleopas and Mary continued to share with Jesus the events that had taken place over the last few days, Jesus then begins to talk to the two of them at which three great revelations take place.
He opened the scriptures. Luke 24:32, 45 says, “They said to each other, ‘Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” Cleopas and Mary knew what the prophets had stated and written in the Scriptures, so the real problem was not in their head but rather in their hearts. They needed a fresh understanding of the Word of God. Jesus did not just teach them only doctrine or prophecy; He taught them things concerning Himself! The more we receive the Word of God, the more we will want to fellowship with the God of the Word, which leads us to that burning heart of intimacy with Him. How excited are we today about the Word of God? Is your first response when you wake up, to run to the Word of God?
He opened their eyes. Luke 24:30-31 says, “As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” The breaking of bread here refers to a meal and not the Lord’s Supper. Jesus revealed Himself to them during a common meal, which is often how He works. He wants us to see Him in the everyday things of life. He is always with us! Pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes so that you can recognize Jesus in your day to day.
He opened their understanding. Luke 24:33-34 says, “And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, ‘The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.” When we have encountered the living Christ personally – in our hearts and not just our minds – we have something exciting to share with others. At that point, Cleopas and Mary had rushed back to Jerusalem to share with Jesus’ disciples that the risen Christ had just been with them on their journey home.
Warren Wiersbe stated it so beautifully when he said, “What a difference it would make in our church services if everybody who gathered came to tell about meeting the living Christ!”
Dear Jesus, I pray that we as believers and even non-believers would be hungry and cry out to You, to open our eyes to see You for who You truly are, to open our hearts to understand You with our hearts and not just our minds, and open Your Word so that we have a fresh revelation of Your Word each day!
If you would like me to join you in prayer please e-mail me at tonif77@gmail.com. I would love to pray for you!
