“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” 25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.” Luke 24.13-35
Isn’t this one of the best stories in Scripture? The appearance of Jesus to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is epic! The spiritual retreat entitled “Walk to Emmaus” is based on this very story. It highlights the journey of the disciples and how Jesus was kept from their knowing until the breaking of the bread (that is, Holy Communion).
Although today is the day after the resurrection—often called Resurrection Monday—the Walk to Emmaus retreat refers to it as the “Fourth Day.” Jesus rose on the third day, and what we do on the fourth day matters.
Yet the story in Scripture takes place on the day of Jesus’ actual resurrection, later in the afternoon. The women had gone to the tomb, and failing to find the body of Jesus, they reported it to the disciples. The disciples in turn went to see the empty tomb for themselves. At this point, Jesus explained to them the whole of Scripture—how the Messiah would suffer, die, and rise again on the third day. (Don’t you wish you could have received that explanation from Jesus Himself?)
It was not until they arrived at their destination that Jesus revealed Himself to them. During the meal, as He broke the bread, they finally saw Him for who He was—and then He disappeared from their sight. They returned at once to the eleven in Jerusalem, where Simon had also met with the risen Lord. Jesus was alive. The grave was indeed empty!
And so here we are on Resurrection Monday, the day after Jesus rose, waking up to the greatest miracle of all. The Church of Christ is born. Shortly afterward, the Holy Spirit comes, and the ministry and mission of Christ is launched for all eternity. But what we do on this day matters. Either we carry on with our simple, mundane lives as if Easter were just a once-a-year event, or we experience a transformation like that of the Risen Lord. We either remain in our brokenness or find the beauty of a new life with God.
I choose the latter. I want to live for Christ—the Lord of Life, the Giver of salvation, the Bright and Morning Star. I place my trust in Him, the only One who can redeem me, pave the way for me to be with God, and make me clean and righteous once and for all.
So on this Resurrection Monday, I choose life. I choose Christ. Whom will you choose?
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. You know me so well, and yet You still died for my sins. Come now, Holy Spirit; fill me with Your power and love. Allow me to know You and the power of Your saving grace. Thank you for the cross, for the blood that was shed. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen