“’What things?’ he asked.” Luke 24:19.
The newly resurrected Jesus has come along side of two travelers on the road back to Emmaus. As they walk along together, the two do not recognize or realize that the one walking with them is Jesus, who was dead and buried just a day or so before. Luke, the writer of this account, leads us to believe that these two walkers did not recognize Jesus because they were depressed about the events of the previous days – Jesus’ arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial. It was going so well just the week before, and then suddenly, it all fell apart. They may have been having trouble sorting out the meaning of it all. And then this “stranger” comes along side to journey with them.
Jesus asked them what they were discussing, and they stood looking down at their feet, feeling depressed about the events that they had been talking about. They turned to this stranger and wondered out loud if he was the only one in all of Jerusalem that had no knowledge of the events of the past few days. It was at this point that Jesus asked, “What things?”
What an ironic question for Him to ask! If anyone knew of the events, it surely was Jesus, and yet, He acts, in this almost humorous way, as if He has no knowledge of the events by asking this simple question. In asking the question, Jesus seems to be drawing the story from each of the men, as if He is helping them to process the events in their own minds. It is interesting that Jesus did not just reveal Himself clearly to these men, nor did He just start preaching or giving them answers. Instead, He listened to their comments, allowing them to express their feelings and observations before responding. Isn’t it amazing what a simple question can provide and provoke? I do not know about you, but I have struggled through the years to learn how to ask effective questions. My wife is so natural at it, and she has taught me quite a bit, but it still does not come naturally. My first, knee-jerk response is to step into a situation and try to fix it. I will listen to just enough information in order to give the necessary points that will “fix the problem”. Over the years, I have learned to slow myself down to listen more carefully, and try to ask simple, clear questions. Take time today to reflect on Jesus’ approach to these people on the road to Emmaus. What can we learn from how He handled the hearts of these travelers?

February 8, 2007

“He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’” Luke 24:17. Shortly after the reports of Jesus rising from the dead begin circulating, two people are journeying to Emmaus, a village close by to Jerusalem. A stranger joins their walk, and inquires as to what they are discussing. We are let in on the secret that it is actually the risen Jesus who is this stranger, who is now walking with them.
But these two do not recognize Him. It is not clear why they do not recognize Him, so it is left up to the reader (and us!) to ponder what could have been going on in this situation. They might have been so despondent that they did not pay close attention to who was with them. Or perhaps they were so engrossed in their conversation that they did not notice who this man was. Or it could be that Jesus’ bodily appearance was different now that He had risen from the dead. Or possibly it was for some other reason, but this much we do know: they did not recognize Him. It says that, in response to the inquiry, that the men stood still and that their faces were downcast. They appeared to be depressed. Then, they began to tell Him about all the events that had recently transpired in Jerusalem, including the testimony of the women at Jesus’ tomb.
Jesus came along side of these men and journeyed with them for quite some time, and they did not even recognize Him! At first, I thought that this could not have been possible, but the more that I thought about it, the more that I realized that I could have done the same thing. In fact, it does not take me long to remember times when I did not even have a clue about Him being there. Oh, I know that God is always with us, no matter what, but I miss Him, for what ever reason. The fact is that I do not recognize that God is with me at all times, and, instead, I only see Him, or sense His presence, on brief and very occasional moments. And yet, He is with me (and you!) always! And I believe that He is interested in the things of our lives, such as, “What are you discussing. . .” Take some time today to reflect on God’s presence with you. How aware are you of His presence with you, in the midst of your present circumstances, through His Holy Spirit? Are you aware that He is just as interested in you and your life as He was with those people on the road to Emmaus? It is both a fearful thing and a wonderfully comforting thing to realize that He is journeying with us through each day.