In our last visit we looked at the encounter Jesus had with the two men on their way to Emmaus. After listening to their description of what had happened in Jerusalem Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
This response from a stranger no doubt startled them at first and awakened them out of their stupor. Then, while their minds were trying to remember what the prophets had spoken, Jesus began with Moses and all the Prophets to explain to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself (Luke 24:27). It’s not clear how far they had travelled on the 7 mile trip from Jerusalem to Emmaus when Jesus joined them, but likely this enlightening teaching by Jesus took some time because there is a lot of information about Jesus in the Old Testament.
What Jesus said triggered memories that prepared them for what happened after they persuaded Jesus to stay with them in their home. When Jesus broke bread with them they recognized who He was. At that moment, Jesus suddenly disappeared. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us.”
So powerful was this enlightenment, these two immediately got back on the road to Jerusalem to share their experience with the disciples and those with them.
