The Road to Emmaus

April 14, 2023
Author: Hannah DeVivo

Peace be with you!

Today, we will examine the story of the road to Emmaus in the Gospel of Luke.

The Road to Emmaus

“Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures. As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”-Luke 24:13-35

Where were the Apostles Going?

In this passage from the Gospel of Luke we learn that three days after Jesus had been crucified, two of His disciples were walking and discussing the events that happened. They were described as looking “downcast”. This is understandable, as they were mourning the loss of Christ. Imagine being a disciple of God who had become accustomed to spending time in His presence, feeling a level of peace that is not of this world, knowing that you are safe and loved. The absence of Jesus and all His gifts must have left a gaping hole in their hearts. Without Him, the disciples felt lost. They were left wandering.

This recounting in the Gospel of Luke is very well-known, and yet archaeologists still don’t know the exact location of Emmaus. Other places and landmarks mentioned in the Bible were able to be located, but to this day we don’t know where the village that Luke mentioned is. It’s possible that the apostles did not know where they were going. Without their Messiah, they did not have a clear destination. They were lost. When Jesus came to walk with them, they were “prevented from recognizing Him” and yet, their hearts were burning within them as He spoke. He came to them when they were lost and what did He do? He walked with them. He opened the Scriptures for them. He nourished them.

When did they Recognize Jesus?

After Jesus took the bread, said the blessing, and broke it, the disciples recognized Him. What is the significance here? Just a few days prior, at the feast of the Passover, Jesus had blessed bread, broken it, and given it to them in the same manner. He had revealed to them that it was His own body. They were able to recognize Him when they received His body once again. This reiterates the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist that we still receive today is more than just bread-It is Jesus; It is the nourishment that we need. Once the disciples recognized Christ, He disappeared. They confirmed with one another that it was indeed Jesus, and then they got up at once and returned to the other disciples.

What can we learn from this event, and how can it transform our lives? Sometimes we are lost. We don’t feel the presence of God and we are left wandering. When we are in this state, we need Scripture and the Eucharist. Jesus is with us when we have drifted, and He longs for us to return to His body. He will stay with us on the journey, and if we read The Word, receive His Flesh, and seek fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we will not remain lost.

Before You Go

How do you feel about what happened on the Road to Emmaus?

Have you felt lost recently? What helped you to find your way?

Did you learn anything new in this article?

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