Luke 24:13-45 (ESV)
On the Road to Emmaus
“[13] That very day two of them (followers of JESUS) were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14] and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. [15] While they were talking and discussing together, JESUS HIMSELF drew near and went with them. [16] BUT THEIR EYES WERE KEPT FROM RECOGNIZING HIM. [17] And HE said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, LOOKING SAD. [18] Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered HIM, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” [19] And HE said to them, “What things?” And they said to HIM , “Concerning JESUS of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before GOD and ALL THE PEOPLE, [20] and how OUR CHIEF PRIESTS and RULERS delivered HIM up 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 happened. [22] Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, [23] and when THEY DID NOT find HIS BODY, they came back saying that they had even 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 HIM THEY DID NOT SEE.” [25] And HE said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the CHRIST should suffer these things and enter into HIS GLORY?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF.
[28] So they drew near to the village to which they were going. HE acted as if he were going farther, [29] but they urged HIM strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So HE went in to stay with them. [30] When HE was at table with them, HE took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. [31] AND “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED”, and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM. And HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT. [32] They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while HE talked to us on the road, while HE opened to us the Scriptures?” [33] And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, [34] saying, “THE LORD HAS RISEN INDEED, and has appeared to Simon!” [35] Then they told what had happened on the road, and how HE was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
JESUS Appears to HIS Disciples
[36] As they were talking about these things, JESUS himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” [37] But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. [38] And HE said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? [39] See MY hands and MY feet, that it is I MYSELF. Touch ME, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” [40] And when HE had said this, HE showed them HIS hands and HIS feet. [41] And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, HE said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” [42] They gave HIM a piece of broiled fish, [43] and HE TOOK IT AND ATE BEFORE THEM.
[44] Then HE said to them, “These are MY WORDS that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about ME in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms MUST BE FULFILLED.” [45] THEN HE OPENED THEIR MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES, [46] and said to them, “Thus it is written, that THE CHRIST should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] YOU ARE WITNESSES OF THESE THINGS. [49] And behold, I AM sending the promise of MY FATHER upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from ON HIGH.”
Because of the length of the text of Scripture I am submitting today, my comments will be brief.
JESUS was in the midst of two BELIEVERS, people who no doubt had listened to HIM before HE was crucified. However, “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” and THEY RECOGNIZED HIM, and HE promptly VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT (verse 31)!
Even when HE was with HIS OWN disciples (verse 45), HE HAD TO OPEN THEIR MINDS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES!
No matter how much time you have spent “in church”, and no matter how many songs you have sung, UNTIL “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” by your CREATOR, you WILL NOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD!!!
2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to GOD for his inexpressible gift!”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For BY GRACE (the unmerited, free, and UNDESERVED favor, love, and kindness of GOD toward humanity) you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.”
