The setting from Luke 24… Then they walked into the village of Emmaus, their destination. The two of them pressed for the – still unrecognized Jesus – to stay and have a meal with them…
We have no idea what kind of impact an ordinary day might have. It may begin peacefully, perhaps filled with expectations for the day. Eventually, these expectations are consumed by distractions. Anxiety may squeeze its way into the crevices of our waking hours. But some days – as in this day described in Luke 24 – there are implications of enormous impact!
As stated, the two compelled this most interesting and engaging visitor to stay with them for a meal….
In verses 28 -29 of Luke 24, we see that Jesus desires our pursuit and even our plea for His presence, even though we may be uncertain of what we are asking for.
Even as the guest, Jesus assumed the place of host at their meal; he broke bread, gave thanks, and served them. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. He then disappeared from their sight. “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?!” That impact is beyond any words of explanation.
In verses 30-32 we see… even at an event that seems as mundane as a meal, we can recognize the mystery of Christ.
These two have a renewed sense of clarity and coherence. Their hearts are aflame with passion, purpose, and perspective. They cannot keep this to themselves. They got up from the table and returned to Jerusalem, to the place where the disciples were still assembled together out of fear and disillusionment. Once there, the two told their story….
Verses 33-35: When your perspective and context is Jesus, your reality corresponds to Truth. It also motivates us to community, to sharing our story with others, and to incorporating our shared stories into His story!
As the two from Emmaus were sharing their experience of how they had recognized Jesus and how their hearts had burned, it seems that suddenly, Jesus appeared in the middle of the group! Recognizing their need for comfort, Jesus said, “Peace be with you.” (vs. 36) Everyone had been startled, frightened, troubled, and they doubted among themselves.
Verse 36: Acclimating to the reality of Jesus’ presence will result in His peace, even though it may be initially uncomfortable.
Verse 37-43: When the presence and peace of Christ are woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, we begin to conquer our troubles and doubts.
As He had done with the two on the road to Emmaus, Jesus rehearsed with the disciples the Scriptures of the Old Testament that speak of Him. He simultaneously engaged them in a meal, and He opened their minds to understand what He was saying to them. This was to be a message for the nations!
Verses 44-49: How was this message to the nations to be accomplished? The plan was before them: they were to be witness to what they had seen and heard. But they had a desperate need of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father had promised to send. Jesus told them to stay in the city and wait for the coming of this promised Comforter and Counselor.
The anticipation and expectation of these disciples was heightened. Jesus led them to Bethany, and – while He was blessing them – He ascended into heaven.
Verses 50-53: They now believe! This results in burning joy! They realized that Christ’s kingdom was about to be leveraged and launched into the world. The partial and progressive revelation of the Scriptures was moving rapidly to completion. What results is the book of Acts… the activities of the Holy Spirit through these disciples.