Day 40
Start with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
Read Scripture: Luke 24:13-35 On the Road to Emmaus
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 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?”
“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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 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. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 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.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?”
They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Devotional:
The news of Jesus’ death had spread throughout Jerusalem. Since the city was filled with people for the Passover, the whole nation was interested in what had happened.
The two disciples returning to Emmaus missed the significance of history’s greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and problems. They didn’t even recognize Jesus when he appeared and was walking beside them. In fact, they were walking away from the other disciples who were together in Jerusalem as they lost all hope. They were too preoccupied with their own troubles and chose to isolate themselves instead of seeking out others and seeking out Jesus. Although the disciples had counted on Jesus to redeem Israel and rescue them, they didn’t understand that Jesus’ death offered the greatest hope possible.
Jesus also appeared to the disciples in an upper room where they were hiding out to strengthen their faith as witnesses to his resurrection. Jesus’ body wasn’t just a figment of their imagination or a ghostly being. The disciples could touch him. He ate food with them. But his body wasn’t merely restored to its human form as he was able to appear and disappear. Jesus’ resurrected body was immortal-the kind of body we will be given at the resurrection of believers.
Questions to ponder:
- Have you ever missed Jesus’ presence in your life because you were too focused on yourself?
- Given this passage, what is the best way for you to pray today?
End with Posture of Silence and Solitude (2 minutes)
