I've often said that the Emmaus Road narrative at the end of Luke’s Gospel would be one of my top choices if I could be a "fly on the wall." That may not seem like the obvious choice (Wouldn’t you want to see the waters of the Red Sea part?
I love this so much. The Emmaus road is such a tender yet mind-blowing moment. Jesus, the resurrected King of the universe, takes the time to walk and talk with two discouraged disciples who are ready to give up. He doesn't show up with a spectacle but just slides into their conversation, drawing out their broken hopes before gently reassembling them with the truth of who He is. It gets me every time that He meets them in their confusion and grief, not in some holy, untouchable way but right there on the road, in the middle of their doubts. And then that beautiful moment when He breaks the bread - the symbol of His broken body - and their eyes are opened. They knew Him not through grand displays of power but through the breaking of bread. It feels like such a picture of how He meets us today: quietly, personally, and often right in the middle of our shattered expectations.
And how relatable is their response? They don't sit there and analyze it or make a plan; they just 'run' back to Jerusalem in the dark. That's what real hope does. It makes you run through the night. This idea of "Emmaus can wait" = the way you described it as a placeholder for whatever we retreat to when hope feels lost - that's a whole sermon in itself. How often do we choose Emmaus, packing it in because it feels safer than believing again?
Thank you for this. It makes me want to hold out for the Jesus who meets us on our own dusty roads, whose presence turns our disappointment into burning hearts. What a Savior.
What a beautiful response Joshua. This is the power of the Scriptures and the gospel. And why I’ll continue to write! It is nice to meet you on here brother. I’m deeply encouraged by this.
The Emmaus scene gives me goose bumps on my goose bumps. It is better than any cinematic film I have ever seen.
So much here: Why did Jesus explain the Scriptures instead of just revealing Himself right away? What role does understanding God’s Word play in recognizing Jesus?
Why was it in the breaking of bread that they finally recognized Him? Is there something about communion and intimacy that reveals Christ more clearly?
Thank you for sharing your writing and congrats on starting your substack. I really enjoyed this first piece—From downcast faces to burning hearts-this is the power of the gospel!
I love this so much. The Emmaus road is such a tender yet mind-blowing moment. Jesus, the resurrected King of the universe, takes the time to walk and talk with two discouraged disciples who are ready to give up. He doesn't show up with a spectacle but just slides into their conversation, drawing out their broken hopes before gently reassembling them with the truth of who He is. It gets me every time that He meets them in their confusion and grief, not in some holy, untouchable way but right there on the road, in the middle of their doubts. And then that beautiful moment when He breaks the bread - the symbol of His broken body - and their eyes are opened. They knew Him not through grand displays of power but through the breaking of bread. It feels like such a picture of how He meets us today: quietly, personally, and often right in the middle of our shattered expectations.
And how relatable is their response? They don't sit there and analyze it or make a plan; they just 'run' back to Jerusalem in the dark. That's what real hope does. It makes you run through the night. This idea of "Emmaus can wait" = the way you described it as a placeholder for whatever we retreat to when hope feels lost - that's a whole sermon in itself. How often do we choose Emmaus, packing it in because it feels safer than believing again?
Thank you for this. It makes me want to hold out for the Jesus who meets us on our own dusty roads, whose presence turns our disappointment into burning hearts. What a Savior.
What a beautiful response Joshua. This is the power of the Scriptures and the gospel. And why I’ll continue to write! It is nice to meet you on here brother. I’m deeply encouraged by this.
I agree with Joshua 🙏🏽💜
What a post!
The Emmaus scene gives me goose bumps on my goose bumps. It is better than any cinematic film I have ever seen.
So much here: Why did Jesus explain the Scriptures instead of just revealing Himself right away? What role does understanding God’s Word play in recognizing Jesus?
Why was it in the breaking of bread that they finally recognized Him? Is there something about communion and intimacy that reveals Christ more clearly?
I feel the same way about this story Louise! There are so many powerful moments. I wish I could teach my students to ask questions like you do!
Thank you for sharing your writing and congrats on starting your substack. I really enjoyed this first piece—From downcast faces to burning hearts-this is the power of the gospel!
Thank you Lisa! You are always such an encouraging voice.