The Gospel of Luke
This devotional is written by Mark Dighe. Mark is married to Ellie.
Luke 24:13-27
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked.
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Reflection
It's hard to imagine just how crestfallen those two followers were on the road to Emmaus. To believe that the redeemer of your nation had finally come, the Messiah who would free you from oppression, unify the nation and bring a universal peace, only to have him be executed and his body to go missing three days later. Brutal.
Personally, there have been many times when I've failed to understand how my situation was part of God's plan, like being let go from a job I'd gone into with such excitement the year previous or having seen a relationship suddenly end and questioning whether I should be with someone at all. Yet looking back, in each situation Jesus was there with me, and taught me lessons I needed to end up where I currently am, in a job I love with a wife I adore.
When I read verse 27 I think on how amazing it would be to have Jesus go through the scriptures and teach me about himself. Then I realise that unlike those men we have access to Jesus 24/7. He is always there for us to go before, to tell him 'I don't understand, this hurts, I can't see where this is going' and that he will walk with us, teach us and guide us. I know that life will throw up more hard times, that in those moments it'll be easy to lose sight of God. So my prayer today is this.
'Lord, thank you that you are always with me, that you have a plan for me and can redeem any situation. Help me to look to you when I don't understand, to let go of my circumstance and know that you will walk with me always. Amen.'
Personally, there have been many times when I've failed to understand how my situation was part of God's plan, like being let go from a job I'd gone into with such excitement the year previous or having seen a relationship suddenly end and questioning whether I should be with someone at all. Yet looking back, in each situation Jesus was there with me, and taught me lessons I needed to end up where I currently am, in a job I love with a wife I adore.
When I read verse 27 I think on how amazing it would be to have Jesus go through the scriptures and teach me about himself. Then I realise that unlike those men we have access to Jesus 24/7. He is always there for us to go before, to tell him 'I don't understand, this hurts, I can't see where this is going' and that he will walk with us, teach us and guide us. I know that life will throw up more hard times, that in those moments it'll be easy to lose sight of God. So my prayer today is this.
'Lord, thank you that you are always with me, that you have a plan for me and can redeem any situation. Help me to look to you when I don't understand, to let go of my circumstance and know that you will walk with me always. Amen.'
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