“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
As adults, we lean toward believing there is some hidden force in life that we can tap into and fulfill our dreams and destiny; that there is somebody or something beyond ourselves, trying to get through to us, that would enable us to experience renewed hope, joy, and fulfillment in life.
And yet, does it not seem strange that so many Christians never thought of discovering that mysterious power encased in their own professed Christian faith. Could this be because they have forgotten or shelved and ignored the one key truth that unlocks abundant hope and excitement in Christian living and worship?
One of the reassuring messages we can hear in the Emmaus road story (Luke 24:13-35), is that the most powerful and exciting force in the universe is Jesus Christ, alive and present with us.
Two believers were walking home to Emmaus after being in Jerusalem for the Passover event and witnessing the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. This was a trip of about seven miles. Since they shared a home together, it is thought that these believers were Cleophas and his wife.
A third person joins them. It is Jesus who takes the initiative in joining them in their slow walk of disappointment and despair. This stranger asks what they are discussing together. With downcast eyes they tell him the confusing story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Surprisingly, the stranger responds with explaining the scriptural basis for all these events and rebukes them for slowness of heart in believing that Jesus had risen.
Since it was getting dark, the invited him to stay the night in their home. It was when this stranger “was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them” that they recognized him to be Jesus. Then they understood why their hearts were burning within them as he journeyed with them, explaining the Scriptures concerning himself.
The surprising events of that first Easter day cannot be reduced to a creed. We are not asked to believe the doctrine of the resurrection. We are asked to meet this person who was raised alive from the dead and wants to prove his aliveness to us.
The two people walking along the road toward home, recite the past events. They said, “We had hoped.” But Jesus himself is there in the present tense, but they do not recognize him.
But what can we do to better see and experience a relationship with this person? Let me highlight four events from this story that can be helpful in opening our eyes and see Jesus.
First, give attention to reading and understanding the Scriptures. Jesus spoke from the Scriptures to encourage these two discouraged travelers. He traced through all the Old Testament prophetic scriptures regarding the coming and work of the Messiah.
Second, be willing to converse with and learn from strangers. Jesus initiated and invited fellowship as he joined himself with to these two travelers. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had promised that where two or three are gathered in his name, there he is in their midst. He is most alive and powerfully present among believers who read the scriptures and pray together, sing and cry together, confess and receive forgiveness together. The sitting around a table, sharing food and breaking bread together creates opportunity for Jesus to bestow his blessing of healing forgiveness and love, of renewed hope, peace, and joy.
Thirdly, we need to increase our sense of expectancy, even to expecting the unexpected. Psychologists tell us that we often do not believe what we see, rather we see what we believe. In other words, we see what we expect to see. Who and what do you expect to see as you travel an Emmaus road of disappointment, despair, and sorrow?
Finally, the two travelers made time for Jesus. The implication in verses 28-29 is that if they had not made time for him, he would have walked on. Jesus did not intrude into their plans, and neither will he intrude into our plans. We must make time for Jesus, like they did in urging him strongly to stay with them.
The resurrected Jesus said “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20).
The only source of almighty power and amazing love is with you and me, and so much wanting us to invite him into our life and companionship as we travel our own Emmaus road experience of doubt and despair. His powerful presence will turn our downcast faces into burning hearts!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – April 7, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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