These 2 disciples of Christ Jesus had just seen Him die upon a Roman cross. It was hard to even put Jesus and Death in the same sentence....
For these 2 disciples, it was over...the Cross was the finality of it all...all hope for Israel was lost.
Emmaus...in Hebrew the word means 'hammat", or baths. Emmaus was a place that had hot springs and was known for its healing qualities.
Both early Christian historians Jerome and Eusebius wrote this was the place: it was referred to as Amwas. Although written to be 7 miles from Jerusalem, it could have been as far as 19 miles...it is just not clear. The Sacred Scriptures say 7...let's go with that.
The one disciple walking on the Road to Emmaus was named Cleopas. The other disciple was not identified. Cleopas is a Greek name and means "renowned father". There was a Clopas in John 19:25, who was a husband of one of the "Mary's"who were present at the Crucifixion, and was a brother of Joseph. Clopas was also a father of Simeon, who later became the head of the church in Jerusalem. But, who knows for sure...
The Road to Emmaus...Gleanings from Luke 24:13-35
" On the same day it was discovered Jesus had Risen, 2 of His disciples were walking to a village named Emmaus, which was approximately 7 miles from Jerusalem.
As they were walking, these 2 disciples were in deep conversation between themselves, trying to figure out what just happened...and even more, what were they to do now.
In the middle of their conversation, Jesus suddenly appears and begins to join in their conversation. (Note: the 2 disciples were so wrapped up in thought they didn't even question how Jesus got there...with them.) Meanwhile, the 2 disciples had no idea it was Jesus who had joined them.
Jesus then asked them: " What are "you guys" talking about with so much intensity?"
Then, the disciples looked at Jesus with a haggard and empty look, almost like they had seen a ghost, and yet their faces expressed sadness and gloom.
One of the disciples named Cleopas said to Jesus:" Seriously...you must be the only person in all Jerusalem that has not heard what has just happened. Where in the world have you been the last 3 days?"
Jesus replies: "What things?...What are you talking about?...Fill me in!" (Note: Is Jesus cool...or what!),
Cleopas replies to Jesus: " We are talking about the things that happened to Jesus...do you know who I am talking about? Jesus...from Nazareth!
He was a prophet...and performed miracles. He was a powerful leader as well, and the people loved Him because the way He taught them the Sacred Scripture.
Well, the high priests and leaders of the Jewish hierarchy did not like Him...they were extremely jealous of Him...and had Him condemned to death...by having Him die on a Roman cross..it was a mess...they betrayed Him...all because they felt threatened...of Him!
We had put all of our hope in Him!...He was the One!...to free Israel!...but, that was 3 days ago.
And to make manners worse, some of the girls went to His Tomb early this morning, and then came running to the disciples (the Original 11) and told them His body was no longer in the Tomb. Then they added this: an angel appeared to them at the tomb, told the girls Jesus was alive, and He wanted to meet the disciples in Galilee.
Some of the disciples went to the Tomb to see for themselves...and sure enough...His body was gone...and now we don't have a clue what happened to the body of Jesus."
At that point, Jesus entered their conversation: " What is it that is so hard for you to understand? Why do you fight so hard in your own minds what the prophets of old have been saying all along? Remember, did not the prophets write the Messiah had to suffer...and then He would enter into His Glory?"
Then, Jesus took the time and explained to both of them what was going on...and He related it all according to the Sacred Scripture. He started in the Book of Moses and went through the Writings of the Prophets...pointing out the Scriptures relating to the Messiah.
By the time Jesus was finished explaining all this to the 2 disciples, they had arrived at the city limits of the village. Jesus acted like He was going to travel on, but the 2 disciples begged Him to stay the night with them...it was getting late. So, He did.
Now, as they reclined to eat supper, He (Jesus), became more of the host rather than a visitor, took the bread, and gave a blessing: " Our gratefulness goes to You My Father, for once again You have provided for us, here from the earth, and all the praise and all the glory belongs to You!"....he then broke the bread and gave it the the two disciples.
It was at that moment...it happened! Their eyes were opened...they clearly recognized Him!..and at that same moment...He disappeared!
The 2 disciples looked at each other..and said, "That is why our hearts burned like fire...He was here...right with us!...That is why He knew all the Sacred Scripture about the Messiah!"
Then, these 2 wasted no time!...they were back in Jerusalem within the hour!
When they got to the "Original 11", along with others with them...they could not even get their story out because the group was telling these 2 how Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter.
After they heard about Peter, the 2 disciples told them about their whole experience...walking to Emmaus...supper...realizing it was Him!
Note: What would you do if you were taking a walk, perhaps working out in a gym, and someone came up to you and said: "So, what part of believing in Me is so hard for you?...."
For these 2 disciples, it was over...the Cross was the finality of it all...all hope for Israel was lost.
Emmaus...in Hebrew the word means 'hammat", or baths. Emmaus was a place that had hot springs and was known for its healing qualities.
Both early Christian historians Jerome and Eusebius wrote this was the place: it was referred to as Amwas. Although written to be 7 miles from Jerusalem, it could have been as far as 19 miles...it is just not clear. The Sacred Scriptures say 7...let's go with that.
The one disciple walking on the Road to Emmaus was named Cleopas. The other disciple was not identified. Cleopas is a Greek name and means "renowned father". There was a Clopas in John 19:25, who was a husband of one of the "Mary's"who were present at the Crucifixion, and was a brother of Joseph. Clopas was also a father of Simeon, who later became the head of the church in Jerusalem. But, who knows for sure...
The Road to Emmaus...Gleanings from Luke 24:13-35
" On the same day it was discovered Jesus had Risen, 2 of His disciples were walking to a village named Emmaus, which was approximately 7 miles from Jerusalem.
As they were walking, these 2 disciples were in deep conversation between themselves, trying to figure out what just happened...and even more, what were they to do now.
In the middle of their conversation, Jesus suddenly appears and begins to join in their conversation. (Note: the 2 disciples were so wrapped up in thought they didn't even question how Jesus got there...with them.) Meanwhile, the 2 disciples had no idea it was Jesus who had joined them.
Jesus then asked them: " What are "you guys" talking about with so much intensity?"
Then, the disciples looked at Jesus with a haggard and empty look, almost like they had seen a ghost, and yet their faces expressed sadness and gloom.
One of the disciples named Cleopas said to Jesus:" Seriously...you must be the only person in all Jerusalem that has not heard what has just happened. Where in the world have you been the last 3 days?"
Jesus replies: "What things?...What are you talking about?...Fill me in!" (Note: Is Jesus cool...or what!),
Cleopas replies to Jesus: " We are talking about the things that happened to Jesus...do you know who I am talking about? Jesus...from Nazareth!
He was a prophet...and performed miracles. He was a powerful leader as well, and the people loved Him because the way He taught them the Sacred Scripture.
Well, the high priests and leaders of the Jewish hierarchy did not like Him...they were extremely jealous of Him...and had Him condemned to death...by having Him die on a Roman cross..it was a mess...they betrayed Him...all because they felt threatened...of Him!
We had put all of our hope in Him!...He was the One!...to free Israel!...but, that was 3 days ago.
And to make manners worse, some of the girls went to His Tomb early this morning, and then came running to the disciples (the Original 11) and told them His body was no longer in the Tomb. Then they added this: an angel appeared to them at the tomb, told the girls Jesus was alive, and He wanted to meet the disciples in Galilee.
Some of the disciples went to the Tomb to see for themselves...and sure enough...His body was gone...and now we don't have a clue what happened to the body of Jesus."
At that point, Jesus entered their conversation: " What is it that is so hard for you to understand? Why do you fight so hard in your own minds what the prophets of old have been saying all along? Remember, did not the prophets write the Messiah had to suffer...and then He would enter into His Glory?"
Then, Jesus took the time and explained to both of them what was going on...and He related it all according to the Sacred Scripture. He started in the Book of Moses and went through the Writings of the Prophets...pointing out the Scriptures relating to the Messiah.
By the time Jesus was finished explaining all this to the 2 disciples, they had arrived at the city limits of the village. Jesus acted like He was going to travel on, but the 2 disciples begged Him to stay the night with them...it was getting late. So, He did.
Now, as they reclined to eat supper, He (Jesus), became more of the host rather than a visitor, took the bread, and gave a blessing: " Our gratefulness goes to You My Father, for once again You have provided for us, here from the earth, and all the praise and all the glory belongs to You!"....he then broke the bread and gave it the the two disciples.
It was at that moment...it happened! Their eyes were opened...they clearly recognized Him!..and at that same moment...He disappeared!
The 2 disciples looked at each other..and said, "That is why our hearts burned like fire...He was here...right with us!...That is why He knew all the Sacred Scripture about the Messiah!"
Then, these 2 wasted no time!...they were back in Jerusalem within the hour!
When they got to the "Original 11", along with others with them...they could not even get their story out because the group was telling these 2 how Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter.
After they heard about Peter, the 2 disciples told them about their whole experience...walking to Emmaus...supper...realizing it was Him!
Note: What would you do if you were taking a walk, perhaps working out in a gym, and someone came up to you and said: "So, what part of believing in Me is so hard for you?...."
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