THE EMMAUS ROAD----CHARLES WOODRUFF

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. 21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 And they said one to another; Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. (Luke 24:13-35; KJV)

                                          THE DESPAIR OF DEFEAT
The greatest event in all history has just taken place. On this very day, the Lord Jesus Christ rose from
the grave, victorious over death, hell, and the grave. The women came to the empty tomb, and met the
angel. Simon Peter also came and examined the empty sepulchre. It was no secret, for the story of the
risen saviour, who had been dead for three days, was becoming widespread. The two of them on the way
to Emmaus, mentioned in our above text, knew all about this, for they were disciples of Jesus. The
reason I put the entire context here is that I wanted you to read the entire story. Please do, and let it
speak to you. These two men were utterly overwhelmed, and consumed by the events of the last three
days. They were only walking seven miles. As they went forward, and reasoned, they were puzzled, but
Jesus drew near to them. They were some of His disciples, as I said, but they did not recognize Him. We
are not told why, but evidently Jesus wanted to stay unknown to them for at least part of the trip.

As Jesus approached them, He asked about their conversation and their sadness. (v.17) The one named
Cleopas answered Him kindly, but was sure He was a stranger. He even asked Him “Are you a stranger
in Jerusalem not knowing about the things that have come to pass in these days?” (v.18) Jesus answered him “What things?” (v.19) Remember as Paul told King Agrippa and Festus in Acts 26:26 “For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.” The crucifixion and resurrection of Christ was certainly no secret. Cleopas told the story with much sadness and defeat. He first said “Jesus was a prophet.” Secondly he said “He was killed.” Thirdly “But we trusted.” He then said that the women who went to the tomb early could not find His body, and that they saw a vision of angels that claimed He was alive. Then he said “And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.” (v.24) We know that the first men to visit the tomb were Simon Peter and John. To me it is interesting that as Cleopas talked with Jesus; he said this was the third day after his crucifixion, proving as do other things, that he was not killed on a Friday, but on a Wednesday. Whether I am correct or not, we will not know until we get to glory, so don’t worry.

A number of commentators, including Matthew Henry, saw clearly that Cleopas had a prejudice against
the women’s report. Matthew Henry quotes Cleophas “Certain women also of our company made us
astonished (and that was all), who were early at the sepulchre, and found the body gone, and they said
that they had seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive; but we are ready to think it was only
their fancy, and no real thing, for angels would have been sent to the apostles, not to the women, and
women are easily imposed upon.” They acknowledge that some of the apostles had visited the sepulchre,
and found it empty (Luke 24:24). “But him they saw not, and therefore we have reason to fear that he is
not risen, for, if he be, surely he would have shown himself to them; so that, upon the whole matter, we
have no great reason to think that he is risen, and therefore have no expectations from him now; our
hopes were all nailed to his cross, and buried in his grave.” They were in despair regarding Christ.

                           THE DECLARATION OF DIVINE PURPOSE
Whether Cleopas expected an answer from the stranger or not, he certainly got one after saying “They
found it even so as the women had said; but him they saw not.” (v.24) Jesus’ answer was “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?”(v.25, 26) I am sure this statement took Cleopas, and the other walker by surprise. (A couple of writers believe the other one was none other than Luke, the writer of this gospel. Quite possible, I think.) But, why did Jesus say these things? He said fools in the sense of foolish people, refusing to see the obvious. He said slow of heart (slow to comprehend). All the prophets have spoken, saying in effect “You don’t believe the prophets.” Jesus perceived that they were defeated and empty.

Then it says to us. “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the
scriptures the things concerning himself.” (v. 27) Isn’t it amazing, and exciting that beginning with,
probably Genesis 3:15, Christ explained to these two brethren all about Himself? What a blessing to be
the first to hear the gospel from Him after his resurrection! What an honor to be chosen for this hearing!
What a way of illustrating His words in John 5:39-40! “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

Just imagine hearing Him explain Messianic passages from Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, etc... Wouldn’t that be
a privilege? What a thrill to hear him now quote these beautiful verses to us:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”(Isaiah 9:6)

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” (Psalm 2:12)

“Behold God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2) Jesus was here declaring Himself to them! The very One who is the Messiah was quoting verses like these to these two brethren. How remarkable! “And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.” (v.28) They definitely wanted Jesus to stay and fellowship some more. It was late, so He did. Then He prayed and broke bread with them.

                                     THE DELIGHT OF DELIVERANCE
“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.” (v 31)
His purpose was not to stay, but to reveal Himself. The scales were removed, and now they could clearly
see Him. Even today, Christ must be revealed for us to see Him. “But when it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I
might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.” (Galatians 1:16) These words of Paul reflected on his conversion when Christ was revealed to him, and in him. Every true believer must have Christ revealed to him. It is a miracle, no less than His resurrection; no less than His birth; no less than His miracles and healings. It is all of grace. His grace!

Then Cleophas and the other one exclaimed how foolish they had been, and what a great preacher Christ
was. “And they said one to another; Did not or hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (v.32) The Spirit of Christ must open the word for us, or we will never hear it, or never see it. He told us this in so many words in John 14:16 “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” He said also in John 14:26 more about the Holy Spirit coming to us to continue His work “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

We are told that they rose the same hour and went to Jerusalem. The eleven disciples were there,
gathered with some other followers. These two men were excited. Wouldn’t we be, if we found we had
just walked to Emmaus, and back with Jesus Christ? Wouldn’t we be if we had just been absolutely
convinced that Christ had defeated death? Wouldn’t we be if we were convinced that no matter what
happens in our lives, we are going to ultimately be with Jesus? Oh, and being with the eleven and the
others was a charge for them because Peter had seen Christ too. So they told of the Emmaus Road
experience, and then were told of the Lord’s appearing to the eleven when they were breaking bread.
Likely Thomas was able to share how he doubted, and how Jesus appeared to him the next Lords Day.

How wonderful it is to share such experiences, and it did not stop 2000 years ago. Even today in the 21st
century, we can share our experiences with Christ. We can share the testimony of the saints of then, and
now. We can share that no matter how dark it gets, Christ stands with His church! No matter how much
sin abounds, grace so much more abounds. There is still time, my friends! You may be a sinner, but
there is still right now. You can turn to Jesus with all your heart and be everlastingly saved. All of us
know that this life will end one day before long. Please turn to Him now! Again, listen to Paul.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1Timothy 1:15-17)