Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
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. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 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. 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.” And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
(ESV)
—Luke 24:13-27
by: Gem Barton.
Jerusalem was abuzz with all the things that had happened during that week concerning Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified and had been raised to life again. Two of Jesus’ followers were walking and talking about these events and were surprised to encounter a stranger who did not know what had happened. They did not recognize Jesus. He saw their sadness as they mentioned that the Lord whom they thought would have saved Israel, was gone. They did not know that he was the Savior not just of Israel, but of the whole world—but in a much different way than they had expected. Is it possible for Jesus to be in our midst and for us to fail to recognize him or truly know Him?