The Emmaus Road; Faith on the Way

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him.” (Luke 24:13-16 NIV)

1. Hopelessness keeps you from

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?’

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.

Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, ‘You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.’

‘What things?’ Jesus asked.

‘The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,’ they said. ‘He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people.

But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified Him. We had hoped He was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.’” (Luke 24:17-21 NLT)

2.  Everything in the pointed to this moment!

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the
Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?’

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:25-27 NLT)

3. The Emmaus Disciples recognized Jesus when He them.

“By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if He were going on, but they begged Him, ‘Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.’ So He went home with them. As they sat down to eat, He took the bread and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And at that moment He disappeared!

They said to each other, ‘Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’ And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:28-33 NLT)