The Gospel Of John Chapter 20 Pt. 3 Two Disciples Find Jesus On Road To Emmaus

{Please remember that I published archive indexes to help you find topics that we have studied over four years of ministry with the blog. The index for years 2019 to 2021 was posted September 7, 2022. The index for 2022 was posted January 24, 2023.} 

As we study through the gospel of John, and the resurrection of Jesus, we will occasionally turn to the other gospel accounts, because they tell us things that John did not record.

Before we get to the next post resurrection appearance of Jesus that John records, we must look into Luke's gospel. 

Luke recorded an appearance of Jesus Christ that occurred right before the next appearance of the risen Lord, that John recorded. 

Two disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:13-14  And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14)  And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 

Two of Jesus' disciples were walking home from Jerusalem, after the Passover celebration concluded. They were headed to a village called Emmaus, about 7 1/2 miles from Jerusalem.

They spent their time walking in deep discussion about all the things that happened during the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. 

They spoke about His triumphal entry into the Holy City, then of His betrayal and arrest. They discussed the violent treatment Jesus was subjected to and His death on the cross.

Then their discussion turned to the very latest events of that same day and certain disciples said Jesus was risen from the dead. Their minds were full of emotion and perplexity. 

Jesus drew near and walked with them. 

Luke 24:15-16  And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. 16)  But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. 

These two disciples continued on their journey home, intently discussing what happened to Jesus. 

The Lord Himself drew near, as if He were another fellow traveler on this particular road. Jesus joined with them and they walked on together.

Luke, the physician, wants us to see that Jesus did something to their vision such that they did not know it was Christ walking with them. 

Jesus asked them why they were saddened. 

Luke 24:17  And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? 

Jesus asked them a question about what they were speaking of. Jesus observed that their countenance was downcast and that their hearts were full of sadness. 

Luke 24:18  And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? 

Luke tells us that the name of one disciple was Cleopas, but he does not name the other one. Jesus' question seemed incredulous to them.

Cleopas was the husband of Mary's sister, also named Mary (See John 19:35).

The Greek is emphatic in conveying Cleopas' astonishment that Jesus did not know these things. 

It is as if Cleopas had said, "What was done in Jerusalem, within a few days, was so public, so awful, and so universally known, that if you lodged in the city for a single night, I cannot conceive how you could not know what transpired."   

Jesus is going to dig deeper, to help these two disciples understand His suffering, death, burial and resurrection were absolutely necessary for their salvation. 

The disciples explained the events leading up to Jesus' death. 

Luke 24:19-20  And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: 20)  And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have him crucified . 

Jesus therefore asked the two disciples to tell Him about all the things that happened, and they willingly did so. 

They related true accounts about the words, and mighty works of Jesus Christ. They described Jesus as a prophet before God. 

They related how Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and suffered a great many things before being crucified. They said how the highest religious and civil leaders combined to put Jesus to death. 

The disciples tell how on the third day, people claimed Jesus had risen. 

Luke 24:21-24  But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22)  Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23)  And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24)  And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 

The disciples confessed their faith in Jesus Christ, saying that they trusted that Jesus was their Messiah, the One who would redeem Israel. 

Then, Cleopas turned to the most recent events that disturbed their souls. 

On this very day, the third day, they heard reports from certain women, who were Jesus' disciples. They claimed to have seen angels who told them Jesus was alive. 

The body of Jesus was not found when various disciples examined the empty tomb. 

Jesus led the disciples to relate the sequence of the events because He was going to address their concerns. 

Keep in mind that this is the post resurrection of appearance that happened right before the next one recorded by John.

Jesus exposed faulty thinking, to shine His light into their hearts. 

Luke 24:25-26  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26)  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 

Jesus called them foolish men because they did not have the right perspective about Messiah. They were "slow of heart" meaning to be dull or slow to comprehend God's truth. 

Matthew 16:21  From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Jesus taught them this truth about His suffering, death and resurrection (See Matthew 17:23; 20:19; Mark 9:31; 10:34; Luke 9:22; 18:33). 

They did not grasp what Jesus mean when He said these words. Thus, they were slow of heart. 

They did not believe Jesus' words, nor did they make the connections with what Moses and the prophets said would happen to Messiah.  

It was necessary that the Christ should first suffer. Suffering precedes going through the gate to glory. 

Messiah's suffering and vicarious death was God's plan to save us from our sins. 

Without Messiah suffering and dying in our place, no soul could be saved. 

The suffering Messiah is the only one by whom Israel and the world can be saved.

The prophets spoke about a suffering Messiah and a glorious, victorious Messiah. 

The religious leaders and Jewish people did not understand the relationship between Messiah's suffering and entering into glory. 

Connecting the Old Testament with the life of Jesus Christ. 

Luke 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

Jesus used the Old Testament scriptures, starting with Genesis to Deuteronomy, and then He cited the prophets. 

Jesus expounded these things to the 2 disciples. He unfolded the meanings of the Old Testament and showed how they applied to Jesus Christ. He opened their eyes that they might understand these truths. 

John 5:46-47  For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47)  But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? 

Earlier in John's gospel, Jesus accused the Jews of unbelief. He reminded them to search the Old Testament scriptures because they bore witness to Him (See John 5:39). 

He wanted these two disciples to make the connection between what Moses and the prophets wrote, and the words, works and life of Jesus Christ. He wanted them to see each connection between His earthly life and their writings. 

Jesus agreed to tarry with the disciples for the night. 

Luke 24:28-29 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29)  But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 

They drew close to Emmaus and Jesus seemed ready to continue on by Himself. However, the two disciples recognized that with night coming, it would be unsafe and unkind to allow Jesus to go on alone. 

They constrained Him to spend the night with them. Luke simply tells us that Jesus "went in to tarry with them" 

What a beautiful picture is set before us. When the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, He is knocking at the door of our heart, seeking repentant faith in us, that He might enter in and save us.  

An unsaved person must recognize that it is unsafe to go another day of living without Jesus Christ. 

Dangers are all around, and every person is but a moment from eternity. 

Those who die in their sins, will be judged by God, and spend eternity in Hell. 

Those who turn to Christ with repentant faith, have had their sins judged in the death of Christ. We will enter heaven to be with our Lord.

Jesus blessed the bread and revealed Himself to them. 

Luke 24:30-31  And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31)  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 

Jesus sat to eat with the disciples, and He took the bread and blessed it and gave it to them. 

Jesus took bread and blessed it before, at Passover (See Matthew 26:26). 

He took loaves of bread and blessed it and fed the multitudes twice (See Matthew 14:19; 15:26

Scripture does a renewing, reviving work in our heart!

Luke 24:32  And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 

This is what God wants to do in each Christian. He wants to open our hearts and minds so that we can begin to grasp His truth and have our minds renewed. 

Study of His Word fills us with a zeal and passion for the things of God. 

God's word in us produces fruit for God's kingdom.

Luke 24:33-35  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34)  Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35)  And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 

The entrance of God's word brings light into our hearts and understanding to our minds (Psalm 119:130). When the Spirit of God is having His way in our hearts, we will be changed into servants of Christ, obeying His commands.

As soon as Jesus disappeared from their midst, these disciples made the trip back to Jerusalem. This good news needed to be heard with other believers in Christ. 

They found the eleven disciples, and testified that the Lord had risen from the dead, and they related all the events that happened to them, leading up to Jesus blessing the bread. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Let us learn the simplicity of trusting and obeying our Lord. 

Let us learn to believe what Jesus says to us, and what the scriptures as a whole say to us.

Let us not be slow of heart to believe God's Word. 

Let us study to show ourselves approved unto God, so that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Let us be workmen who read the Old Testament, so that the Spirit of God can show us the connections between Moses and the prophets with Jesus Christ. 

Let us pray for the Lord of Glory to impart a burning desire for His Word in our hearts. 

Let us seek to serve our Lord in Spirit and in truth.

Bob