Thoughts for the Day

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. 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?’ 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, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 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. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 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. 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.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 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?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem;

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Jesus says "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe" to the two men on the road to Emmaus. It seems to me that we are often the same. This lovely story describes many of us. The two men have spent the previous few days in Jerusalem. They are obviously one of the inner circle of disciples. Look at their language "Some women of our group," they say, and "Some of them who were with us went to the tomb".

We don't know exactly where Emmaus is. It's seven miles away, but scholars are unsure of its exact location. Neither do we know why Cleopas and his friend cannot recognise Jesus. Many theories abound, from the sun was in their eyes, to the fact that there was something different about him. The latter seems possible since in John's Gospel Mary on seeing the risen Christ thinks He is the gardener, before He speaks (John 20.11-18). Only when Jesus joins them for a meal and blesses and breaks the bread do they recognise him. Did they then see the marks of the nails on his hands?

We can learn a lot from this incident. Mary Magdalene and the other women immediately told others of their experience at the tomb. Cleopas and the other disciple do the same thing! They tell this 'stranger' what they have seen and heard, and then they allow Jesus to teach them. Perhaps we all need to "gossip the Gospel" a little more, doubts and all, and allow Jesus to teach us!

Lord Jesus Christ,
we are often so blind,
and yet don't realise it.
Like the two men
on the road to Emmaus
we can't see the evidence
of Your presence in our life.
When we doubt,
help our unbelief;
and continue to teach us
what we need to know.
Amen.