When Jesus died at Calvary, so too did the disciples’ hope for a Messiah. With no reason to stay in Jerusalem, a heavyhearted pair sets out for Emmaus. Unbeknownst to them, the journey is about to become a guided tour through God’s Word, led by none other than the Word. But not until they reach their destination and break bread together are their eyes finally opened.
Read
First, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth available in this passage. Give yourself permission to ask questions that may not have answers. Wonder aloud, imagine the scene, and take note of anything that surprises, confuses, or even offends you. Above all, trust the Lord. He’s the best teacher.
Key Passage: Luke 24:1-53
Background
The disciples’ hopes are crushed when Jesus, mutilated and mocked, takes His last breath on the cross. Fear of being implicated by association adds to their despondency, and they spend that bleak weekend shut away in the upper room (John 20:19).
Reflect
Even before dawn on the third day, the two Marys, Joanna, and others dash to the tomb, only to be intercepted by supernatural visitors.
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What does the women’s presence at the tomb, with burial spices in hand, indicate about their intentions and expectations? Or put another way: How do their actions convey what they’ve put their faith in?
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Consider how the angels subtly confront the group’s unbelief with a rhetorical question: “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?” (Luke 24:5). Now think about your own life—in what ways do your actions line up with what God has promised? Do you typically find yourself acting on the basis of your hopes or your fears?
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In that culture, women had very little power and even less respect—legally, for example, the testimony of a woman was inadmissible in court. So it’s not exactly surprising that the male disciples dismiss the women’s story as “nonsense” (Luke 24:11). How might this apply to your personal experience—in other words, what kind of people are you prone to disregard? Considering that the women’s story turns out to be not simply good news but the Good News, what messages from God might you potentially be ignoring because the messengers don’t seem credible?
Continuing the Story
That same day, two disciples leave Jerusalem for Emmaus and along the way are joined by an unexpected companion.
What messages from God might you potentially be ignoring because the messengers don’t seem credible?
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Why do you think Jesus keeps the two men from recognizing Him?
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Of the trio, who is in control of the conversation? Considering that the exchange doesn’t open the men’s eyes, why do you suppose Jesus takes so much time to explain Scripture (Luke 24:27)?
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The two disciples have apparently been intending to spend the night in Emmaus (Luke 24:28-29), but after the Lord reveals Himself, they abruptly rush back to Jerusalem that same night. How is this sudden about-face following their encounter with Jesus a metaphor for repentance?
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These disciples were likely in Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, and it’s possible their walk to Emmaus was part of a journey home. Think about how Jesus’ return to life impacted your own salvation experience—if His body had remained in the tomb, would you have gone back to your old life and way of living? How did His resurrection change your course?
Reflect
Invigorated by the divine encounter, the two disciples hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the others. As they all excitedly exchange stories, Jesus appears in their midst.
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Keep in mind this group has just declared that Jesus appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34), so for the third time in 24 hours they have received confirmation of the resurrection. Why, then, do you suppose they are still in disbelief when Jesus appears (Luke 24:38; Luke 24:40)?
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Notice how Luke specifies that the disciples believe they are seeing a spirit (Luke 24:37). How does Jesus seek to correct their assumption (Luke 24:39-42)?
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Consider the importance of this moment in light of what the apostle John later wrote: “For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh” (2 John 1:7). How does this scripture illuminate the Lord’s insistence that the disciples experience His resurrected body?
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Compare this later encounter with the one in Emmaus. How are they similar? Different? In terms of faith in Jesus, what do the two incidents show you about the connection between scriptural exposition and intimate experience?
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Faith isn’t just a mental exercise in connecting the dots. Because Christ has risen, we delight not in religious principles, but in a real person.
For the third time in 24 hours they have received confirmation of the resurrection.
Revisit
Over the next several weeks, use this section to review the study and consider how its message applies to your life.
Walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a journey of about 7 miles, would have taken the disciples around three hours—plenty of time for deep discussion about the events that had recently transpired. And they would need a good amount of time, considering who joined them and how much He had to share.
Our love doesn’t have to be urgent or demanding. Follow Jesus’ lead and relax.
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Think about these two disciples’ journey in terms of direction and decision—they headed to Emmaus of their own volition. When Jesus joined them on the path they had already chosen, did He attempt to change their destination? And what about when they abruptly rushed back to Jerusalem—was that the result of their choice or His command?
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How does this inform your view on what it means to accompany someone on his or her faith journey? Have you ever found yourself trying to compel people to change direction? Or are you comfortable taking the long way around with them?
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Reread Luke 24:17 and Luke 24:21. How would you describe the disciples’ emotional state? In what way do you think their grief shaped their conversation with Jesus on the road? Consider that even though the Messiah Himself explained the entire arc of Scripture to them, it wasn’t enough to open their eyes to the reality of His resurrection. While it’s unclear what exactly lifted the veil from their eyes, there’s one thing we know for sure: It happened at a table. What does that tell you about the significance of connection and hospitality when it comes to sharing the good news?
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Being zealous for the truth or concerned for people’s salvation can rush our interactions with them. But look at Jesus—our love doesn’t have to be urgent or demanding. Follow His lead and relax. You’ve got time for a divine detour.
Illustration by Adam Cruft