Opening Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for your Word and for its power to change lives. Please continue to change me as I read and study it.
Read LUKE 24:13–35
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Footnotes
- Luke 24:13 Or about 11 kilometers
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together … but encouraging one another’.1
Think Further
For an extended period during the Covid-19 pandemic, the church could not gather physically to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. As an Anglican priest, I could not hold up the bread, break it, and say, ‘We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.’ Finally, when we were able to gather physically, it was an emotional moment for me to celebrate Holy Communion in the presence of God’s people. It was a strong reminder that the Lord is with his people during our difficult moments as we faced the worst pandemic of our lifetimes.
Two disciples on the road to Emmaus tried to process the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. They were downcast as Jesus appeared to them and walked along with them. Even though Jesus explained from the Scriptures about what had been fulfilled in him as the Messiah, they still could not comprehend it. It was not until Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to them that their eyes were opened and they recognized him (v. 31).
Our reading today emphasizes that, in the reading of Scripture and at the breaking of bread, the risen Lord continues to be present with his people. As we come to the Lord’s table, may we experience our hearts burning within us (v. 32), as we are assured of the presence of the Lord with us in the difficult and doubtful moments in our journey of faith.
Apply
The next time you observe communion, ask for a fresh sense of the Lord’s presence and a renewed understanding of the work of the gospel in your life.
Closing prayer
O living God, renew us with the living bread from heaven that strengthens our faith, increases our hope, and deepens our love for you.
Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by kingstar
