Scripture
The Walk to Emmaus
13That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles[1] from Jerusalem. 14As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16But God kept them from recognizing him.
17He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
19“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
22“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 27Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30As they sat down to eat,[2] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[3]”
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!
38“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.
41Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he ate it as they watched.
44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,[4] beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48You are witnesses of all these things.
49“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”
The Ascension
50Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.
Translation notes (4)
- 24:13 Greek 60 stadia [11.1 kilometers].
- 24:30 Or As they reclined.
- 24:34 Greek Simon.
- 24:47 Or all peoples.
And He said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.'
I distinctly remember opening presents at my Cinderella-themed seventh birthday party. As I was opening these presents from all of my friends that day, I opened a gift that was something that I already owned. I looked at the gift, and my friend, who had given it to me, and said, "I already have that!" Then, I put the gift down and started to open the next gift. My parents quickly rushed in to tell that friend what a great gift it was that she had given me. After opening all of my presents, they took me aside and told me why my words to my friend were unkind and ungrateful. I had to learn a lesson that day about receiving gifts. I learned that the way I receive gifts matters greatly. This is particularly true with the gift of Jesus' death and resurrection, the greatest gift we will ever receive.
Luke 24 recounts Jesus' last moments with His disciples. Beginning in verse 35, we read about the time Jesus appeared to His disciples. Two of His disciples had already seen Him, but the rest had not. The two disciples who had seen Jesus told the rest of the disciples the story of how they had seen Jesus. Suddenly, as they were telling their story, Jesus appeared to them. He greeted them by saying, "Peace be with you," but His peaceful greeting must not have had its desired effect because they were frightened. They thought they saw a ghost. Seeing their fear, Jesus said, "Why are you frightened? (verse 38). He showed them His hands and feet and ate in front of them, proving to them that it was really Him. Next, He reminded them that He had previously told them everything that was going to happen to Him. Because of these things, Jesus' disciples should not have been surprised to see Jesus, although I understand why they were. They had been through a lot over the past few days.
The risen Jesus, the greatest gift they would ever receive was standing before Him, and they did not believe it was Him at first. It took the gentle reminder from Jesus to open their eyes so that they recognized Him and understood the gift He had given them. You see, Jesus offers the gift of eternal life to us freely, but it is up to us what we do with the gift. Do we receive it gratefully, or treat it as insignificant, tossing it aside? Jesus has offered you the most wonderful gift, but you have to decide what to do with it.
Moving Toward Action
How will you receive the gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus? Maybe there has never been a time in your life when you have accepted the gift. Would you like to? Maybe you have committed your life to Jesus, but the gift has seemed to lose its significance, and you have begun to take the gift for granted. If that is you, with a notebook or journal, write out the story of how you began to follow Jesus. As you write it, marvel at the gift of Jesus that allows you to have a restored relationship with God.
Going Deeper
Read Luke 24:13-53 (NLT)
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