The second scene in Luke 24 verses 13-35 (Read opening essay on Luke 24:1-12) builds on the first. This is the
famous “Walk to Emmaus” narrative:
NRS
Luke 24:13 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.
This narrative is filled with mystery and
intrigue. Only one of the two persons is named (Cleopas, v. 18), but neither of
them is among the Eleven traditional disciples. They are joined by the Risen
Jesus, but are unable to recognize him during the journey. They end up in a
conversation about Jesus’ death and the women’s strange (24:1-12) report from
earlier in the day. “Jesus” then begins to instruct them from the Scriptures about the
necessity of the Messiah to suffer. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus taught them
from Israel’s Scriptures beginning with Moses everything taught about Messiah.
Upon reaching Emmaus, they persuade “Jesus” to stay with them for the evening. They do not recognize Jesus’
true identity until Jesus “took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give
it to them” (24:30). At this moment,
they realize that they have been journeying with Jesus. Jesus disappears and
the two men hurry back to Jerusalem in order to declare to the Eleven that
Jesus is truly risen.
This narrative contains some key insights:
1) The Scriptures must be understood in light of
Jesus. Jesus opens the Scriptures to Cleopas and his friend. The Scriptures of
Israel (the Old Testament) point to the necessity of a suffering Messiah. The
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah is the climax of God’s work
in calling Israel as a community of God’s people. Individuals now need to find
themselves in this narrative and live their lives in light of it.
2) The power, mystery, and possibility of
encountering Jesus in the breaking of bread is a theme. In v. 30, Jesus “took
bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them.” This was no mere meal.
These words are an explicit allusion to the Last Supper. Compare the language
of 24:30 with that of 22:19: "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and
gave it to them saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance
of me.’” This is a mysterious
passage. Why were Cleopas and his friend unable to recognize Jesus? Regardless, it
is only after Jesus reenacts the Last Supper meal that they see him for who he
truly is. I think that there is a word here for us-particularly for those among
us who take a low view of the Eucharist. Let’s invite people to the Lord’s
Table so that they may encounter the Risen Jesus through the meal.
3) Cleopas and his friend are transformed from
forlorn former followers to empowered, passionate proclaimers. Just as the
women in vv. 1-12, Cleopas and his friend are transformed into Jesus’
witnesses. There is no commission given, but they immediately return to
Jerusalem to announce to the Eleven what they had seen and heard. Encountering
the Risen Jesus is all that is required for a call to a missional life.
Have you encountered the Risen Jesus?
How has the resurrection of Jesus affected your
life?
What would it look like for you to live as an empowered, passionate proclaimmer and witness?
© 2015 Brian D.
Russell
For more, pick up and read my latest book, (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World
. Now available!
For more, pick up and read my latest book, (re)Aligning with God: Reading Scripture for Church and World
. Now available!
