The Not So DarK Journey
April 19, 2026. Luke 24:13-35. Leslie Nolin
This passage of scripture describes an event that seemed hopeless, full of despair that ended in a sense of ecstatic joy and rejoicing. This event takes place on the first day of the week just after the women who had been to the tomb, had seen the risen Jesus and had explained what had taken place to the unbelieving disciples.
Mark 16:12-13 gives a brief description of the Emmaus journey, “After these things He was revealed in another form to two of them, as they walked, on their way into the country. They went away and told it to the rest. They didn't believe them, either.” We can almost picture these two unknown disciples, only Cleopas is named, possibly walking home after the Passover celebration, downcast and fearful following the events of Jesus' crucifixion. They would have been quite amazed at a stranger meeting them and asking them what they were discussing with such downcast faces.
I wonder what Jesus thought about their response, questioning Him if He was the only person who did not know what had happened in Jerusalem during Passover. The passage explains that the two men were prevented from seeing who He was. Even in their downcast, fearful state, they were still willing to describe the events that took place with a stranger. (We know that Jesus was the only one who fully knew what happened, it was Cleopas who did not truly understand.)
Unknowingly Cleopas describes the gospel as he shares the events with Jesus. He said Jesus was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.
The chief priests and elders delivered Jesus up to be condemned to death and crucified Him. Where Cleopas misunderstood was when he said, we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. He had hoped that Jesus would liberate Israel from Roman domination, not understanding that in dying on the cross in fulfillment of the prophecies, Jesus not only liberated Israel from sin, but all who believed in Him.
Then he continues to describe the event of the women going to the tomb, seeing that it was empty, the angels said to the women, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” He further explained how his companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had explained.
Then Jesus explains how little Cleopas and the other disciple misunderstood what had truly taken place. He calls them foolish and slow to believe what the prophets had spoken. Beginning from Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said concerning Himself, the Messiah must suffer these things and enter His glory.
When they reached their destination, Jesus is invited to stay with them since it was near evening. It is while Jesus was breaking bread that their eyes were opened, they recognized Him and He disappeared from their sight.
Not only were their eyes opened to see Jesus, but I believe their eyes were opened to understand the gospel more fully. They recognized what the burning in their hearts meant as Jesus explained the meaning of the events from Moses and the prophets. They forgot their hopelessness and fatigue and rushed back to Jerusalem to share what had happened to the disciples. They travelled in hopeless darkness one way but the return trip was not dark but full of light and hope.
They arrived at the place the disciples were staying, hearing that Jesus had appeared to Simon. Now they were able to relate the things that happened to them and how Jesus was recognized by them as He broke the bread.
The narrative of Luke continues in Luke 24, starting in verse 36, as the Emmaus disciples were still talking, Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus had said earlier, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27).” What had begun as a journey of despair and hopelessness ended with a journey of joy and triumph as the Emmaus disciples' eyes were opened to the revealed understanding of the events of Passover. Jesus was the true Passover Lamb given for the forgiveness of sins.
By His resurrection, as Paul described in 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus sealed the promised redemption for all who believe in Him. It is only as we understand that we are all sinners, no-one is righteous (Romans 3:10-18, 23). The deserved wages for our sin is death, eternal separation from God in the lake of fire (Rom. 3:23; Rev. 20:10,14-15). But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus, our Lord (Rom. 3:23), God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). Jesus' death paid for the penalty of our sins, His resurrection proved that God accepted the sacrifice (1 Cor. 15:1-58).
If we confess with our mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, all who call on Him will be saved from eternal death (Rom. 10:9,13).
Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 5:1), there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom.8:1). This is the peace that Jesus gives, not as the world gives but as only He gives us (John 14:27).
This journey on the road to Emmaus was not just a normal journey, but a journey ending in triumphant understanding of God's gift of salvation.
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