EmmDev 2016-04-05 [On the road to Emmaus] Life is a Journey

Life is described by many as a journey. As such, Jesus' walk with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus becomes a powerful lived-out metaphor of His ongoing presence with us in the world. We'll spend the next few days looking at this journey...

Life is a Journey

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about eleven kilometres from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 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.      (Luke24:13-16)

Who were the two on the road to Emmaus? A little later in the passage, we are given the name of one of the pilgrims – a man named Cleopas. The other sojourner is not named, but there is an interesting possibility... In John's gospel there is a Mary who is the wife of Clopas. Cleopas and Clopas are close enough that either John or Luke spelled it wrong and in the patriarchal culture of Hebrew and Graeco-Roman times women were often not mentioned as they were seen as "part of the package" with their husbands. Also, if this is a couple, then it also explains how they could invite Jesus to stay with them when they arrive at Emmaus.

Why does Jesus spend the bulk of His triumphant resurrection day with these two unknown followers? If I were Jesus' press agent I would have scheduled resurrection appearances on the temple steps, at Caiphas' gate and in Pilate's courtyard!

But, contrary to my opinions on good public relations, Jesus spends significant hours of His resurrection day walking with a couple we never hear of again. But His journey with them is a powerful metaphor of His journey with us and we take heart of the following truths:

• Jesus is not in a hurry – He takes the TIME needed to walk with these two
• Jesus draws alongside us in the intensity of the moments we wrestle with.
• If this is a couple, then it is a beautiful affirmation of the importance of couples making the journey of faith together.
• We don't always recognise Him – but He's here, walking with us!