Walking to Emmaus
April 18
A NOTE: Starting today this Devotional will be appearing three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Thank you for you for your understanding.
Luke 24:13-35
13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
The two who had left Jerusalem and were walking back to Emmaus had made the decision to quit following Jesus. Continuing to follow Jesus was a useless activity since Jesus was dead and the opponents of Jesus were prepared to do whatever it took to stand against Jesus and the things that Jesus stood for, the things that Jesus came to do. In that, the two on the road are very much like us. There are times when the following of Jesus seems futile, it would be so much easier just to give up on following Jesus. Maybe there have even been times when we have tried to walk away from the following Jesus thing.
Just as the risen Jesus invited himself into the lives of the two on the road – Jesus invites himself into our lives. If we will let him into our lives, we will find ourselves called back into following him. Following is not the easy road, it is not the safe road, following is difficult and demanding, but it is the only pattern of life that has real meaning and value. Only in following Jesus and living for his reign will our lives take on the meaning and purpose and worth they were meant to have. Anything else is sell our lives short. Following Jesus is our highest and most significant calling.
The two on the road turned around and headed back to Jerusalem – they rejoined the followers of Jesus. We are invited to turn back as well, to again join the group of followers of Jesus. That together as part of the community of believers who follow Jesus, we can urge one another on to live in the hope and promise of the Resurrection. We can encourage one another on to live for Jesus.
PRAYER:
God of majesty, you raised Jesus Christ to life again. Call us anew that we might follow Him with renewed energy and commitment, knowing that He alone with worthy of being followed and served. Call us back into the community of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.