The Emmaus Road Experience Pt. 1: The Wondering Walk – Luke 24:13-16
And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Confused Communication
Luke tells the story of two men, two disciples of Jesus who left Jerusalem after Sunday morning. One of them was named Cleopas, who was married to one of the Mary’s and my have been the father of James the apostle. Luke may have gotten this story from Cleopas. For whatever reason they are traveling to Emmaus, which was a small village between 7 and 8 miles from Jerusalem. (A furlong is the distance of one furrow along one side of an acre field (furrow length) about 1/8 of a mile.)
As they travel, they are wondering about the events of the last few days, probably beginning with the joy of the Triumphal Entry and ending with the crushing sorrow of the crucifixion. They waited until the sabbaths were over and then made their way home, talking, communing and reasoning as they walked. The word used here means they were tossing it back and forth.
As they walk, lost in their conversation, Jesus begins to walk with them, but their eyes, the Bible puts it were holden. Their recognizing Jesus is prevented, reserved by the Lord for a dramatic and necessary revealing. Something that happens several times after the Lord’s resurrection.
Worried Walking
Many today are walking their own Emmaus roads. Walking in confusion, walking in ignorance, walking in doubt. They have questions, they are asking these questions but they still walk in ignorance because, like the disciples they lack the full knowledge of the Resurrection. They can’t see Jesus, walking beside them, they can’t understand how a resurrection Jesus fits into the events that are happening in their life.
In fact, this isn’t just true for individual lives, its true of all events, all history, all lives and all the future, none of it makes any sense will only lead to confusion unless you see Jesus leading and guiding it. And if you don’t understand that history is actually His story then this world and your life will always have questions and always be hopelessly confused. There are no good answers without Jesus.
Colossians 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
Like the song that we often sing, “Its not about me, its not about them but its all about Him!”
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