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.

From Dark Day to Bright Night

Today's Gospel invites us to follow the apostles and the disciples after the events of the last week, and especially between Thursday and Saturday.

Last Thursday was the celebration of the Last Supper and the institution of the New and Eternal Covenant in the Upper Room. Then, accompanied by the eleven apostles, Jesus went down to the garden of olives (the Gethsemane garden), where He was betrayed and arrested. They brought Him to Caiaphas' house where He was condemned to crucifixion.

On Friday, Jesus was crucified, gave up His spirit on the Cross and was buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. He whom the apostles expected to be the political savior of Israel surrendered His spirit on the cross.

None of them expected this tragic end, therefore we see them tired, hopeless, desperate, afraid, isolated and perplexed. Two disciples decided to leave Jerusalem for the countryside. We see them "talking with each other about all these things" (V. 14). The actual word used by Syriac and Greek is arguing. Were they arguing about what the women were told early that morning when they went to the tomb?

The Living One, "this stranger" who was no longer in the tomb, walked with them and explained scriptures along the way. Arriving at their destination, they shared a meal and "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" (VV. 30-31).

Here we touch the core of the event. Their physical eyes were not able to recognize Him along the way, but as soon as He blessed the bread and gave it to them, their spiritual eyes were opened to His presence. He vanished soon after He gave them the blessed bread, the bread of the new and eternal covenant.

Those two disciples had a day that was heavily dark. They were anxious, exhausted, desperate and hopeless. Once they received the blessed bread from the hands of the Risen Lord, they were recreated with full energy, courage, joy and the desire to share their experience with the apostles. We see them returning back to Jerusalem that very night. Upon their arrival the apostles joyfully announce, "He is risen!"

Didn't they say urgently to the "stranger" when they reached Emmaus, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is nearly over" (V. 29)? It is not dark anymore. He is their light. Their dark day turned into a bright night. They carry the good news and feel happy to share it with the apostles.

Two things to think about---

1) The unnamed disciple walking with Cleopas (V. 18), could it be Mary, the wife of Cleopas, who was with the Mother of Jesus at the foot of the Cross and with the women who went to the tomb early on Sunday morning?

2) The authentic geographic location of Emmaus is unknown today. We have three villages that claim to be the actual site where that happened. This is an invitation to see yourself as the unnamed disciple, and to see your church as Emmaus. Don't be afraid to befriend this Stranger!

May our eyes be opened as we receive the blessed bread He gives us. Bear witness to His Resurrection.

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!