“THEIR EYES WERE OPENED!”

Luke 24:13-32                                (ESV)

“13 That very day two of them 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?"

How many times do I set something in my vision AND CLAIM IT IS FROM GOD only to have the ALMIGHTY reveal to me later on my misconception of what HE was trying to get me to understand?  We mustn’t be so convinced that what we SEE or HEAR is from GOD, because we may have gotten HIS method or timing off just a little!  GOD didn’t mess up HIS Plan, but we surely may have experienced faulty vision or hearing!  

These followers of JESUS had been told what to expect in the future by THE LORD, but their mind couldn’t imagine that JESUS would have to SUFFER and DIE for the sins of ALL mankind.  Scripture says their EYES were even KEPT from recognizing JESUS, a man they had previously spent numerous hours with before.   Surely JESUS could have selected Peter or someone more notable than “Cleopas” and his friend.  

Could it be that ALMIGHTY GOD knew that many of us in years to come would need to HEAR how JESUS, in HIS resurrected form, would spend time with a “Cleopas” to clarify with him that HE is/was the CHRIST and get a better understanding of what HIS Words that were said before HIS crucifixion really meant?  “Cleopas” and his friend were thoroughly confused, until “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” to THE TRUTH!   

Don’t be surprised when something comes to be different than what you thought it might!  GOD has a way of doing things that completely make NO SENSE to “this world” to prove that HE is not limited by “this world”!  Only when “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” were “Cleopas” and his friend able to SEE WHO JESUS was.   When “THEIR EYES WERE OPENED” we will SEE what lies in front of us, for HIS GLORY!!!