The day is Sunday after Jesus’ crucifixion on Friday.
The setting is a seven-mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two people, Cleopas and another (possibly his wife), were joined by a third person they did not recognize. He joined in conversation with them as they traveled.
First… a flashback to “a few hours earlier” for some background; then we’ll continue in Luke 24. Let’s flash back to action recorded in verses 1-12.
There were some women, followers of Jesus, who showed up at Jesus’ tomb intending to complete the honoring custom of anointing the wrapped body with spices. But, of course, there was no body! Initially they were perplexed. They became frightened when they encountered two angels; the angels reminded the women where Jesus told them he would be. They gained some semblance of orientation and returned to share the information, where most of the disciples dismissed their report as an idle tale. But Peter, upon hearing them, jumped to his feet, ran to the tomb, and then left puzzled when he discovered that it was indeed empty.
In verses 1-12 we see that it is in our nature to be slow to believe the truth and prone to seek another explanation, even if it is sometimes a lie. Throughout this narrative we will be confronted with an incredible tenet that we must orient to in our lives as disciples. God’s revelation is understood throughout a lifetime by comprehensive remembrance and progressive recognition. (We’ll explain this further as we proceed.)
Let’s return to the story. Luke tells us that the conversation between the three travelers went over the details of the trials and crucifixion of Jesus, which was still very fresh on their minds. The two followers discussed their thoughts and feelings with and about Jesus, but they still did not recognize Him. The described a prophet, mighty in word and deed, who spoke with authority and a sense of divine presence. They talked about the expectations that He had aroused in them. They even brought up matters that were buzzing back in Jerusalem about the women and their story of angels and an empty tomb.
In verses 13-15a we see that our everyday communication and conversation is a privilege as well as a responsibility. It becomes a platform for Christ to emerge. But as we converse, let’s be aware of the distractions of trivia and the regurgitation of empty chatter or information.
Up until then the two original travelers had dominated the conversation. Then Jesus broke in, picked up the fragments of their conversation, and fit them into the large and comprehensive revelation written in the Holy Scripture (the TANKAKH, or the original grouping of books in the Old Testament). Detail by detail, He showed them how the recent activity that had thrown them into bewilderment and confusion made perfect sense when seen and heard as part of what God had been doing and saying for generations.
Jesus enters and engages our everyday lives far more than most of us realize (verses15b-16). We need to learn to recognize His presence.
Jesus will always prod our ingrained ignorance, arrogance, and limited understanding and perspective (verses 17-19a).
Jesus will not implement our hopes and expectations that are permeated by our personal agendas (verses 19b – 21).
In verses 22-24 we become aware that many times the “outsiders” (example, the women) are the true “insiders” when it comes to knowing “the story.”
In verses 25-27 it is obvious that the entire narrative or story is about Christ. It will take His disciples an entire lifetime of progressively understanding truth to fully acclimate to and comprehend all of this. The full message of Christ is in the whole counsel of God!
Then they walked on into the village of Emmaus – their destination. The two pressed the still unrecognized Jesus to stay and have a meal with them.
In the next post we’ll see what happens.