On the Road to Emmaus (May 4, 2025)

Two disciples start walking down a road to Emmaus … sounds like the start of a joke, right? This isn’t. This is the start of a journey that will change the course of history for all mankind.

Luke 24:13–14 ~ “That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.”

Two disciples Cleopas and his companion had either been present or heard the news from some other source, about Jesus’ tomb being empty. As they made their way to Emmaus, a seven mile walk out of Jerusalem, which would take about two hours to travel by foot, they were sad, gripped by a spirit of despair, their hope had been devastated, dashed against the rocks of death. But in their despair, their thoughts were rushing wildly about, entangled, wondering about the report of the women concerning the empty tomb and the angels. What does all this mean?

The point to not is their emotions and thoughts, their …

• sadness and despair (over the Lord’s death)
• devastated hope (He is not the Messiah)
• rushing and entangled thoughts (over the reports of an empty tomb and angels)

The scene is a symbol of the despair that grips so many in life today. Their hopes are devastated, hopes for …

• family
• school
• meaning and purpose
• job and profession
• acceptance

Luke 24:15–16 ~ “While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.”

The idea we see in these two verses is that the two were so absorbed in their despair and talk that Jesus was already walking along with them when they noticed Him, but they didn’t know Him. In this instance, the Lord “kept” their eyes from recognizing Him as well. Apparently, He wanted them to more freely discuss the events with Him.

Luke 24:17 ~ “And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.”

What are you talking about; what is it that is causing you to look so sad? The Greek word means gloomy, dejected, despondent, sullen, overcast. Jesus could see sadness and despair written all over their faces.

Luke 24:18–24 ~ “Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.””

Cleopas was surprised that the stranger did not know. “How could anyone be in Jerusalem and not know?” So, Jesus’ reply was “What things?” What circumstances could possibly cause such sadness and despair? So, Cleopas covered the things that were causing their deep despair: Jesus’ death, Jesus’ prophecy of three days, Jesus’ empty tomb.

World events and terrible things that happen in life often make a person sad and despairing – such things as …

• being misunderstood
• being opposed
• being deserted
• being betrayed
• helplessness
• death
• hopelessness
• divisiveness
• loss
• fear
• injustice

Christ is concerned. He wants to know what causes so much sadness and despair. He wants us to share our problems with Him.

The problem with the two from Emmaus, as it is with so many today, their shortsightedness and unbelief.

We will continue our Road to Emmaus next week, but today, what problems do you need to and want to share with Jesus? Has shortsightedness and unbelief caused a problem in your life?