Road to Emmaus

The road to Emmaus,the Road to Redemption! A story told very often, of Jesus’ appearance to a couple of followers, on their way to Emmaus, from Jerusalem. It was, after the crucifixion,but not having heard of the resurrection, the two followers, walked stooped and despondent. Their hope in the Messiah , the One born to save them, was dashed, lost, for they had witnessed His death.

It is then that the Lord appeared, unrecognisable, yet a friend . Walked with them,enquired about their dispirited disposal, and listened to their woes. Comforting them with passages from the scripture, about the suffering and glory of the Messiah, He walked along with them .

On reaching the village, the followers requested He spend the night with them as it was late, which the Lord did. When at the table, He broke bread ,their eyes were opened, to see His glory, for He is none other, than the Bread of Life. Soon after He disappeared, leaving the two followers strengthened in their belief and comforted,

I often wondered, why this narrative was important. The two followers, seldom mentioned, did not belong to the twelve disciples or the close group that surrounded Jesus. Yet, it was to them, He appeared, when they were distraught, without hope . Today’s Bible reading and message, has opened my eyes, like that of the two, on the road to Emmaus.

It is when you and I are without hope, standing alone, with no way out, that the Lord appears. Unbeknownst to us, unrecognisable, He appears, to lead us from darkness to light, to comfort us when we are hurting . To walk with us, through our deepest sorrow , to change our mourning to rejoicing, guiding us from a place of despair, to new hope and redemption.

Each day we come before Him, let us remember, He is never far. Whatever our circumstance, however hopeless, let us remember His promise of hope, as seen on the road to Emmaus.