Lessons Learned on the Road to Emmaus

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?” (Luke 24:30-32, NIV)

The last chapter of Luke’s gospel has an interesting account that helps us to perceive God’s work among us in challenging times.

It is the afternoon of Resurrection Day. Two of the lesser known disciples (perhaps a married couple) have left the city in confusion and perhaps disillusionment. While they are talking among themselves, a person overtakes them and joins in their conversation. They pour out their disappointment and uncertainty to him. They had hoped so much that Jesus was the Messiah, the one who would redeem Israel, but now they don’t know and the events with the women at the tomb have only confused them further!

The stranger immediately rebukes them and points out that everything that had happened in the previous week was a fulfillment of Scripture and messianic expectation. Evidently, he does it in such an engaging way that, once they reach their destination, they ask him to join them for a meal and to spend the evening.

As they sit down to table, the stranger breaks the bread, blesses it, and gives some to each of them—and when he does, they recognize that it is Jesus.

What does this passage say to us today? I think this passage in Luke offers some clues about how we as individuals and as a church can discern the leadership of God in our lives.

First, we can turn to the Word of God for perspective.

Although there is coherence to the Bible, we limit God when we see only one application of a portion of Scripture to our lives. The Bible is as relevant to our lives as the morning newscast—perhaps even more so.

As Jesus walked along the road to Emmaus with the two disciples, he reminded them that the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible were not just for the Israelites of long ago; those words were written for first century believers as well. We often get bogged down in the stresses and challenges of daily life, but reading Scripture provides us with the long view--what God has done and will do for the faithful.

Second, we can spend time in prayer and contemplation.

I believe it was C.S Lewis who said, “The purpose of prayer is not to change God, but to change us.” Prayer cuts through prejudice and indifference, helping us to see the hand of God. Disciplines such as prayer, reflective Bible study (lectio divina), meditation and Sabbath observance can make us more sensitive to the presence of the Spirit and His guidance.

These spiritual disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to an end. They provide a pattern and regularity in our lives that make us ready to hear God. They get us “tuned in” to God.

As Jesus prayed with the disciples in Emmaus, they became perceptive to the truth of God and their eyes were opened.

Third, we can spend time in community.

Although we are limited today in sitting together and breaking bread as Jesus did with these disciples, we are still part of the Christian community and of our own faith community. Even when we can only meet virtually, we recognize our brothers and sisters made in the image of God and redeemed by God’s Son. In such situations, God can speak to us. It is fitting that in community around the table in Emmaus that these two disciples finally recognized the Lord.

The disciples who walked the road to Emmaus were despondent and confused by the difficult times in which they lived. Are they so different from us? In this passage, we find a common bond with first century believers who encountered their Lord through Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Isn’t that what God calls us to today?

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