Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 74F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..
Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 74F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Updated: June 16, 2023 @ 4:35 pm
The Walk to Emmaus, in Luke 24:13-35, allows us to walk with Jesus and the two disciples. There are two historic sites for the village of Emmaus. The Jewish historian Josephus speaks one, some four miles from Jerusalem, chosen by Vespasian as the site for a colony of Roman soldiers. The other is off the Jaffa Road, which starts at the sea coast of Jaffa and ends at Jerusalem.
The Gospel tells us that, following the Crucifixion; two dispirited disciples walked this road on the journey back home from Jerusalem. Cleopas and his companion, later given the name Simon, are reliving the tragedy of Passover week, climaxed by the scene on Golgotha or Calvary. Conversing about the circumstances of Jesus Christ dying on the Cross, when a stranger suddenly joined them as walked the Emmaus Road. When questioned about their discussion, they are shocked by his apparent ignorance and express surprise that anyone living in Jerusalem could be unaware of recent happenings. As We relive the story Walk to Emmaus, what lessons can we learn from this walk with Jesus?
First, many of us rejoice in good news but are often reluctant to share it. I have been turned off by the popular religious slogan, “Keep the faith.” Now, if one is speaking of remaining steadfast and true to the Christ of the gospel then by all means, do so! As far as I am concerned, however, Christians should be encouraged, and sent forth the slogan to “Share the faith.” The faith is meant to be shared; obviously we cannot share the faith if we keep the faith. To share the faith means a Christian is available to other people as Job, who demonstrated his faith in all with his hardships or like the woman at the well who ran to her village with goods, “Come and see a man (Jesus) who told me everything I have ever done!” So the two disciples should be willing to share the faith with others as the experience the walk with Jesus.
A second lesson we can learn from the Emmaus walk is the way Jesus reveals himself to us in simple and ordinary acts. Jesus was invited to stay with the two disciples and have a meal together. When Jesus blessed the bread the two disciples eyes became aware that was the risen savior, Jesus Christ. It is a staggering revelation to learn that these two Cleopas and Simon were not in the Upper Room. They were not among the 12 apostles. But obviously they had been present in some setting with Jesus during his ministry, and now he is present in their home in the Emmaus village. They wanted to share their faith by returning to Jerusalem to tell others what they witnessed.
This story speaks to us about the gift of hospitality. Hospitality is a gift. These two men might never have recognized Jesus had they not invited him into their home! Why invite Jesus into your home into your heart?
J.B. Morris leads the St. Andrews United Methodist Church.
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