Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
Read Luke 24:13-35 below aloud—whether you are by yourself or with another person. The passage below is the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible edited to reflect Jesus’ perspective, as if Jesus were telling the story of the Walk to Emmaus instead of the gospel writer. Changes to the biblical passage are underlined.
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, I came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing me. 17And I said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered me, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19I asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." 25Then I said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, I interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
28As they came near the village to which they were going, I walked ahead as if I were going on. 29But they urged me strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So I went in to stay with them. 30When I was at the table with them, I took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized me; and I vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how I had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
With your friend or family member or by yourself, consider these questions.
What did you learn of Jesus’ point of view and of his relation to others?
Did you identify with Jesus?
What emotions were involved?
How did that reading change the emphasis of the story?
Do you think you ever encounter Jesus among strangers? When? How do you respond to Jesus in the guise of stranger?