I guess most of us have spent more time walking in the last year than we have ever done before. As one of the permitted reasons to leave home during the Covid-19 restrictions, it provides the opportunity for a short while of a fresh view and some exercise. It is interesting though how often meaningful conversations take place while we walk, maybe because we have made the time or maybe because we are walking side by side not directly looking at each other.

 It is estimated that 500 believers saw the risen Jesus following His death and before His Ascension but perhaps the meeting on the road to Emmaus is the most dramatic.

The two disciples were walking along together discussing the events of the last 3 days when Jesus came and walked alongside them. Through divine intervention the disciples are prevented from recognizing Jesus.

Jesus asks the disciples “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”. Well, the disciples are amazed that Jesus doesn’t know, what is everyone talking about in Jerusalem?! News of Jesus’ crucifixion had spread throughout Jerusalem and was the only subject of discussion. Jews from all over the Roman Empire were in Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus’ death was a major event and the whole nation was following the news.

Yet the disciples are downcast, Jesus their Saviour is dead, where is the victory they had hoped for? The disciples had expected Jesus to rescue Israel from its enemies by military or political force. They didn’t understand it was something far bigger that Jesus had come to do, to rescue the whole World from sin and death. When Jesus died the disciples lost hope but in reality, Jesus’ death offered the greatest hope of all.

The two disciples at first missed the significance of history’s greatest event because they were focused on their own disappointments and problems. Their hopes had been dashed and plans frustrated. They knew the tomb was empty but didn’t know that Jesus had risen. The disciples didn’t understand God’s Kingdom values, which turn the World’s values on their head, those of service and sacrifice.

Jesus responds by telling the disciples how foolish they were, how they were slow to believe what the prophets had foretold and slow to understand that Jesus needed to suffer these things to enter His glory.

Jesus turns to the Bible to explain. Tracing the thread of God’s plan woven through the Old Testament, the prophecies concerning Himself. A plan that reveals God’s overwhelming love for us in His careful preparation. We can always go to scripture for authorative help and ask for God’s wisdom to apply it to the situations we face. We can also turn to other believers to help us understand.

As they reach the disciples’ destination, Jesus continues on as if going further. The disciples urge him strongly to stay with them. This would have partly been out of custom but I am sure the disciples were desperate to hear more of what Jesus had to say. Jesus is always available to us but will not stay uninvited.  

As they eat together and Jesus gives thanks and breaks bread, the disciples eyes are opened and they recognize Jesus! The disciples not only recognized Jesus physically but they start on their journey to understand the real reason for Jesus’ death.   

The disciples needed to see Jesus to understand and believe. How can we recognize Jesus today? By making time for Him and inviting Him in as the disciples did. By reading the Bible and asking God to reveal Himself to us. By meeting together (hopefully soon again face to face). By sharing our faith and breaking bread together. By having an attitude of expectancy that Jesus will reveal Himself to us.

For those of us who know Jesus as our personal Saviour, we are His witnesses showing the transforming love of the resurrected Christ in our lives. We don’t believe in a doctrine, no we believe in the risen Jesus! We can say as the disciples did “It is true, The Lord has risen”.

Never doubt Jesus walks with us on Life’s Journey, by looking for Jesus in our midst we will experience the love, power and help only He can bring.