Luke · New Testament · Luke 24:13–35
The Road to Emmaus – Jesus Explains
The Story
On the same day that the tomb was found empty, two of Jesus' followers were walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus — a journey of about seven miles — heartbroken and confused over the events of the crucifixion and the bewildering reports of an empty tomb. A stranger drew near and began walking alongside them, asking what they were discussing, and they were stunned that anyone nearby could be unaware of the things that had just taken place in Jerusalem. The stranger, who was Jesus Himself, listened as they poured out their grief and shattered hopes, and then gently rebuked them for being so slow to believe what the prophets had spoken — before taking them all the way back through Moses and every prophet in the Scriptures to explain how all of it pointed to the Messiah and why He had to suffer before entering His glory. When they arrived at Emmaus, they urged the stranger to stay with them since evening was approaching, and as He sat down and broke bread with them, their eyes were suddenly opened and they recognized Him — and just as quickly He vanished from their sight. Burning with excitement, they rushed straight back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven disciples that Jesus had truly risen and that they had known Him in the breaking of the bread.
The Message
The entire Bible — from Moses through all the prophets — was always pointing to Jesus, and this story reminds us that a deeper understanding of Scripture has the power to turn grief and despair into burning, uncontainable hope. Sometimes Jesus draws closest to us in our most discouraged and confused moments, walking beside us even when we fail to recognize Him, and revealing Himself to us in ways we least expect.