Ep. 146: The road to Emmaus
CLICK HERE for the corresponding blog post in Yeshua Adored
MARK 16:12,13, LUKE 24:13-35
It was the early afternoon of that spring day perhaps soon after the early meal when two men from the group of disciples left the city. Their narrative allows us deeply interesting glimpses into the circle of the Church in those first days. The impression conveyed to us is of utter bewilderment, in which only some things stood out unshaken and firm; love for the Person of Jesus; love among the brethren; mutual confidence and fellowship together with a dim hope of something yet to come - if not Christ in his Kingdom, yet some manifestation of it.
The ‘Apostolic College’ seems broken up into units. Even the two chief Apostles, Peter and John, are only ‘certain of them that were with us.’ Jesus was a prophet mighty in word and deed before God and all the people. But their rulers had crucified him. What was to be their new relation to Jesus? What to their rulers? And what of the great hope of the Kingdom, which they had connected with him?
Thus, they were unclear on that very Resurrection Day even as to his mission and work; unclear as to the past, the present and the future. What need for the Resurrection and for the teaching which the Risen One alone could bring! These two men had on that very day been in communication with Peter and John. It seems that no-one had really pieced the whole story together yet.
The women had come to tell of the empty tomb and of their vision of Angels, who said that he was alive. But as yet the Apostles had no explanation to offer. Peter and John had gone to see for themselves. They had brought back confirmation of the report that the tomb was empty, but they had seen neither Angels nor him whom they were said to have declared alive. And, although the two had evidently left the circle of the disciples, if not Jerusalem before Mary came, yet we know that even her account did not carry conviction to the minds of those that heard it.
Of the two we know that one bore the name of Cleopas. The other, unnamed, has for that very reason and because the narrative of that work bears in its vividness the character of personal recollection, been identified with Luke himself.
A mysterious stranger joined the two friends. For all these six or seven miles their conversation had been of him and even now their flushed faces bore the marks of sadness on account of those events of which they had been speaking. To the question from the stranger, they replied in language which shows that they were so absorbed by it themselves, they scarcely understood how a festive pilgrim and stranger in Jerusalem could have failed to know it, or understand its supreme importance.
Edersheim then unpacks the event:
‘Yet, strangely unsympathetic as from his question he might seem, there was that in his appearance which unlocked their inmost hearts. They told him their thoughts about this Jesus. Their words were almost childlike in their simplicity, deeply truthful, and with a pathos and earnest craving for guidance and comfort that goes straight to the heart. To such souls it was, that the Risen Saviour would give his first teaching.
He spoke it and fresh hope sprang up in their hearts, new thoughts rose in their minds. Their eager gaze was fastened on him as he now opened up, one by one, the Scriptures, from Moses and all the prophets and in each well-remembered passage interpreted to them the things concerning himself. Oh, that we had been there to hear - though in silence of our hearts also, if only we crave for it, and if we walk with him. The brief space was traversed and the Stranger seemed about to pass on from Emmaus. But they could not part with him. ‘They constrained him.’ Love made them ingenious. It was toward evening; the day was far spent; he must even abide with them. What rush of thought and feeling comes to us, as we think of it all, and try to realise time, scenes, circumstances in our experience, that are blessedly akin to it. The Master allowed himself to be constrained. He went in to be their guest, as they thought, for the night. The simple evening-meal was spread. He sat down with them to the frugal board.
And now he was no longer the Stranger; he was the Master. No one asked, or questioned, as he took the bread and spoke the words of blessing then, breaking, gave it to them. But that moment it was as if an unfelt Hand had been taken from their eyelids, as if suddenly the film had been cleared from their sight. And as they knew him. He vanished from their view - for that which he had come to do had been done. They were unspeakably rich and happy now. But, amidst it all, one thing forced itself ever anew upon them, that, even while their eyes had yet beholden, their hearts had burned within them, while he spoke to them and opened to them the Scriptures.’
This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £12 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)