By: Assistant Pastor Cathy Green
I will never forget it as long as I live. I was a teenager at the time. I was reading my bible when suddenly the Holy Spirit led me to a verse of scripture that I had never before seen or knew existed. It was the first (and up to this point, only) time in my life when a verse of scripture shocked me speechless, left my mouth hanging open, and sent goose bumps up and down my spine.
Go with me to Luke 24. I am going to share this, but be certain to read it for yourself.
Jesus is dead at this point in scripture. The disciples are grieving and devastated. The town is basically depressed and in despair. People are walking around in a daze, now sure how to react. The reality has not fully hit them that Jesus truly is dead. Dead. That perfect being who had loved everyone, including His enemies. Why do the good die young? He was only 33 years old! That loving being who never cursed a day in His life—dead. Always honored His parents—dead. Stopped whatever He was doing to heal and help others—dead. Never was a snob, but treated everyone equally—dead. The Brother was D-E-A-D. Yes, they knew it was coming but wow! It really happened? Dead?
The Road to Emmaus
Verse 13 shows two disciples traveling along the Road to Emmaus. It was a 7 mile journey. The men are shocked and grieving. Jesus (who is risen at this point!) approaches the men from out of nowhere. They don’t recognize Him because He does not allow them to, not just yet.
He questioned the disciples about their conversation and inquired as to why they were sad. Cleopas seemed surprised and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
Jesus answered, “What things?”
The disciples went on to talk about Jesus Christ of Nazareth, how He was a Prophet of God who had done mighty things for the people. They ended by sharing how He was turned over to be killed—and how they were hoping that He would be the One to redeem Israel.
Jesus then went into teaching mode. You see, a true prophet is compelled to teach. A true prophet’s primary goal and need is to teach, teach, teach. If you ever find a prophet who does not teach anything, you probably have encountered a false prophet! Don’t ever forget that!
And so Jesus went all the way back (scripturally) to Moses in the Old Testament and He talked about how all the prophets of God confirmed that a Savior was coming. He told them that it is imperative that they believe what the authentic prophets foretold. He told them that Christ had to suffer the things the He suffered.
Dinner with Jesus
Verse 28 finds the disciples nearing their destination. Jesus told them that He needed to leave them (they still have no idea that they have been talking to the Lord). They had been so comforted by Him that they pleaded with Him to stay and have dinner with them.
In true, “JESUS” style, He allowed Himself to be talked into giving up more of His time. May I pause for a few seconds to brag on Jesus? Isn’t He sweet? I cannot get over Him. He is a sweetheart. Period. He approached the disciples and spent His time ministering, comforting, and teaching them, reminding them of His Word. Then He allowed them to talk Him into remaining for dinner. He is just too much! I feel bad for anyone who is worshiping any deity other than the only true and living God!
It was at this point that He broke bread with the disciples (communion). What happened next is the thing that shocked me speechless when I read it for the first time as a teenager:
Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with the, them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyess were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.
Blew my mind. That verse of scripture took my breath away and floored me. Can you imagine dining with a stranger who has just taught and blessed you — and suddenly (after communion or dinner) you notice that the stranger is Jesus and He disappears before your very eyes? Lord, have mercy!
The pleased disciples then said, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Readers, always remember that it is GOD who opens scriptures to us. No human mind is capable of opening scriptures. Every time you read the Bible and comprehend what has been said, remember that it is JESUS who walked with you and talked with you along the way, as you studied His Word and it is HE who opened those scriptures up for you. Don’t ever forget that!
Good news! He vanished but what a blessing it is to know that He reappeared and WE know where He is! He lives inside of our hearts. He sits at the right hand of God the Father in Heavenly places. In life, we might not know where our loved ones are. We might not know where our friends are when we need them most. But what a comfort to know that at all times, Jesus CAN be located without appointment and He is always in our presence, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Friends may disappear with a trace but Jesus disappears WITH a trace. And finding Him is EASY!
We serve a God who will never leaver nor forsake us. And that’s a promise and a comfort!