On The Road To Emmaus

George Eliot called it "the loveliest story in the world." But what is it that makes the Emmaus story so beautiful.

First, you have a county road and a county village. You have two ordinary people -- not members of the eleven. Only one of them, Cleopas, is named. You have an earnest invitation to share in a very frugal meal. And that is all. Yet out of these commonplace treads is woven a story that has thrilled people for 2,000 years.

Walking down the Emmaus Road were two dispirited travelers. It was late in the afternoon of the first Easter day. The two travelers, restless with sorrow, left Jerusalem by the western gate to walk to the village of Emmaus, approximately six miles away. For them the journey could not be measured in miles; it stretched from bewilderment to heartbreak, from bitter disappointment to disillusionment. Why should these disciples be sad on a day which millions now celebrate with great joy? Their storm clouds had not passed sufficiently for them to see the rainbow of hope. A glorious day had broken upon the world, but they did not know it. Perhaps the birds were still singing as the sun was slowly sinking over the western hills. However, their disappointment had become a grief so heavy that faith was hidden from view. After all, their Lord was dead!

As Cleopas and his companion trudged homeward, the death of Jesus, which was certain, and His possible resurrection, which was obviously uncertain, were the only subjects of discussion. These disciples in the bewilderment of fresh bereavement, talked drearily -- of him, his great life, his heartbreaking death, of all that was precious and all that was confusing to them in his history; of the failure of his purpose, of the ruin of their hopes and of his. "We had our hopes up that he was the One, the One about to deliver Israel. And it is now the third day since it happened," (Luke 24:21, (MSG). They walked the Emmaus Road, they talked; but we are not told they prayed. "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 24:15-16, NIV).

The two disciples felt deeply drawn to the Stranger. It never occurred to them to ask his name or from where he came. As they walked, their thoughts took a higher turn; they seemed to be awakening from an unpleasant dream with the glad thought that it was not true. Courage and faith swept back upon their despairing hearts like fire from heaven upon an abandoned altar. They clung to the Stranger that, when he would have left them and passed on up the country road, they could not, would not, have it so.

The first thing He does for these two who thought their precious dream had faded, that death had taken charge, was to open to them the Scriptures. During the walk, not only the Scriptures, but hearts, were opened. "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32, NIV).

It was an experience that His listeners did not want to end. The day was melting into evening and they begged him to stay. In these twilight moments, while the three eat together, the room was filled with burning glory. Suddenly the two villagers were dazzled by the awareness that the stranger to whom they had offered hospitality was none other than the risen Lord! Truly alive! As quickly as they recognized their royal guest, so quickly did He vanish from their sight. Pieces of the broken bread were still there on the table. And while the two sat in stunned silence, the room still echoed the sound of His blessing.

The appearance of the resurrected Jesus had to be reported at once to the Eleven in Jerusalem. While only hours earlier their footsteps had dragged along a weary road, now their feet literally flew. They were bearers of the best news of all: "He is risen! He is risen indeed!"

The most common daily walk, the dustiest road, the lowliest home and the most ordinary people can be filled with radiant glory, if the living Lord draws near and takes preeminence. The burning heart, surely, is a supreme need of every individual who names the name of Jesus as their Christ. In today's world, as it madly rushes by, we are apt to forget that we need the close fellowship of Christ. It matters not whether we are on the Emmaus Road, or the busy roads of our own making, He will draw near to His disciples and teach them lessons today just the same as He did on the first Easter day. In today's world, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is just as needful, and just as powerful today as it has ever been.