The Road to Emmaus Revisited -- Luke 24:13-35

Shalom Haverim (Friends),

Have you ever pondered the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus? Well I have often pondered this great story of The Road to Emmaus found in Luke 24:13-35. Oh how I would have loved to have been there that day, for that special meeting and great Bible lesson our Messiah gave to those two disciples. I think of it often. We know the name of one of Yeshua's disciples, it is Cleopas, but not the other. He remained unknown to us, but I know that one day we will know who it was who received this awesome Bible lesson. What we do know is, the lesson was a Biblical lesson of "monumental proportion" for these two who were suffering in grief over their Messiah's death. I've thought in the past that It could be that "their grief" was even greater than the rest of His followers, but I'm only pondering that, I really have no clue as to why Yeshua appeared to them this way.

Some say "Cleopas" name in high Greek (HaLane`Katara) means: "Glorious Father," but Cleopas' name is an abbreviated form of "Cleopatros," a more common Hellenistic name at the time of Yeshua meaning: "son of a renowned father." And to this day Cleopas is remembered on the 25 of November by the Roman Catholic Church because they say he was a "martyr" for the faith, but we are not really sure of those facts.

However rabbi Paul's states that Yeshua was seen of Cephas before he was seen of all twelve, which agrees with the fact that Luke mentions that it was the "them" that were with the "apostles" (verse 33) that mentioned Simon's sighting, not the Emmaus "they" of verse 35. (1 Corinthians 15:5).

Now I bring all this up because I have found that we can all have our own "Emmaus Road" experience just by reading the Scriptures and getting enlightenment from them by the Holy Spirit of God. So we should all ponder the stories in Holy Writ in-order to gain this kind of insight. Right!

What must it have been like? Have you ever in your life "wondered" just how that day went for all involved? Boy, I sure have and many times, to this day I wonder about that lesson. Being a lover of the Scriptures as I read these stories, I enter into them viva the Holy Spirit, who is my Teacher, always trying to gain some new nuance from the text.

Well the follow mediation (with pictures) many help you do just that today. I did not write the follow article, Grace Noll Crowell did. All I did was stumbled upon a little book this summer entitled: "Proofs Of His Presence" and all kinds of light bulbs went off in my spirit as I read it. And I say to myself, "Teacher, if in my mind, why not in theirs as well!" The book is out of print, but you can find a few old used copies on-line, and some are pretty pricey. I pray you'll put on your "walking shoes of the Spirit" and go and revisit Emmaus with me today. May God richly bless your trip.

THE WALK TO EMMAUS

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus.
And they talked together of all these things which had happened. -- Luke 24:13-14

SPRING WAS NO DOUBT BURGEONING ON THE EMMAUS ROAD THAT DAY. Wild flowers swept the countryside with their vivid coloring, and the birds were blithe and gay over the grassy meadowlands; but alas! The two who went their way were too heavy of heart to take note of that glowing new life, that clear, singing rapture.

How sad they were, these former believers in the words of the Messiah; how bowed down with grief! Their conversation that day was of nothing and of no one but their Lord-His words and His ways and all that had happened.

Suddenly out of nowhere, it seemed, a Stranger joined them and walked by their side. His voice was gentle, His eyes kind, and His manner so gracious that they resented neither His coming nor His questioning.

"What manner of communications is this that you are having one to another, as you walk, and are so sad?"

They looked at Him with wonderment. Finally Cleopas, who was walking next to Him, answered: "Are you the only a stranger in Jerusalem, and has not known the things which have come to pass here in these days?" And the Stranger said unto them, "What things?"

No wonder His companions were astonished and bewildered, to think that anyone who had dwelt recently in the Jerusalem area should be ignorant of what had happened! They looked at Him aghast, but "their eyes were fasten on Him," and they did not recognize their beloved friend and Saviour.

However, they could not help opening their hearts to Him, this kindly but uninformed one, and they told Him of their great bereavement. They bad earnestly trusted that the Messiah was to redeem Israel, but alas, it seemed now but a vague illusion, a spent dream. What a pity-what a heartbreaking pity-that they could not say: "We trust; we are still trusting, that He will do as He said," not "we trusted." It would have been a great comfort to their companion on the road had He been assured of their steadfast faith, their unfaltering belief. It is blessed that the Messiah understands all our human frailties, our weakness and our instability. And so that day Messiah walked on beside them, gravely and understandingly.

But when they spoke despairingly of the empty sepulcher, He said sternly: "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not the Messiah to have suffered these things, and then to enter into His glory?" Then, beginning back in history, "He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."

The men looked at Him in astonishment. Here was one not so ignorant and uninformed after all. Here was one whose words caused their hearts to burn within them as they trod the long road that springtime day. Who on earth could He be; this wise one? Never had they met another like Him.

They drew near at last to a little village-the home of Cleopas. The early evening light was streaming from the west across the small huddled huts. Here and there a star pricked its silver way through the deepening dusk; an occasional wick had been lighted in some earthen vessel and set upon a window sill to light the room, and the way for others.

They must be hospitable to this kindly Stranger. Perhaps He was homeless and needed shelter for the night. Cleopas said to this strangely compelling personage, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening," and unhesitatingly Messiah accepted the invitation.

Supper was ready and waiting in the room as they entered. The loaf of brown crusted bread lay on the table. The flank of meat was ready to be carved. The good wife stood by, shyly smiling a welcome to their guest. As a courtesy to the Stranger, the host bade Him break the bread. Slowly He reached for the loaf. They noted that His wrist had been recently wounded, but courtesy forbade their questioning Him concerning it.

The Stranger lifted His eyes heavenward and asked God's blessing upon the little household. He gave thanks to God for the food, and then, and only then, they recognized Him! It was Yeshua, their beloved Lord!

Oh, the miracle of it! Oh, the longing to detain Him, to have Him further expound the Scriptures for the little family gathered about the board. But He was gone-vanished as He had appeared.

The men did not wait for their supper. All the weariness from the long walk had vanished, and they returned that same night to Jerusalem. There they joined the eleven, who were gathered together in hushed expectancy.

The two men entered the room, crying aloud their joyful news! "The Lord is risen-He is risen indeed! He walked and talked with us on the way. He is as vitally alive as He was before His crucifixion. Praise be to His name!"


Among the many infallible proofs of the Messiah's Resurrection, this event is one of the most precious in its meaning to all of mankind. It has a home-sweet setting for all who count Him ever as a gracious household Guest, for all who live by His Word, and who bow their heads above their daily bread. Let us rejoice that the Messiah is alive today as He was then.

Let us praise His holy name.


Our Blessed Lord, we, too, bid You abide with us, the families of the earth. Make our dwellings Your resting place, our food Your food, our fire Your warmth. We would honor You above all guests. We are grateful for Your abiding presence. AMEN.

Email me at: barbara@mayimhayim.org

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