I hope you’ll read through my comments from 2019 in the links below. This “Road to Emmaus” event is one of my favorite Scripture stories!
But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. (v. 16) I wonder at what Jesus looked like in His resurrected body. We will read tomorrow about Mary Magdalene also not recognizing Jesus when He first appeared to her, supposing Him to be the gardener (John 20:15b). So He was in some bodily form, but different than He had been when He was with them. Makes me wonder what we’ll look like in our resurrected bodies…!!
Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him… (v. 18a) This is the only mention of Cleopas that we have in all of Scripture. And this is still Jesus’ first resurrection day! So someone never before and never again mentioned is one of the few people (of whom we have record) who saw Jesus on that precious Resurrection Day! But this one event has Cleopas mentioned for us, for all time. And we acknowledge and embrace him and his friend for spending their day walking and talking about Jesus. I would love to hear or see a recording of Jesus’ conversation with them!
I can’t help but mention again Luke’s summary statement, …He was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (v. 35) That is such a powerful witness to us that gives more meaning to our Eucharistic celebration! Every Sunday and various occasions in between we are blessed to see Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Carol and I attended a wedding yesterday in Maryland, dear Christian friends from more than 25 years ago. The wedding was held on their farm, a beautiful wonderful, picture-perfect setting. The bride is my “birthday buddy”. The preacher spoke Scripture as he worked his way through the ceremony. But sadly, the one thing missing was “the breaking of the bread” – no Eucharistic celebration… ☹. I treasure our Anglican heritage.
See also: December 22 / Luke 24:13-27; December 23 / Luke 24:28-35