On The Road

On The Road

It was all over. The disciples of Jesus had such high hopes. Jesus had showed them a new way of living. He was the Messiah, the one the prophets of time past spoke of. But now he was in a tomb, dead.  I can’t imagine how the disciples and followers of Jesus felt at this point.  Their despair and sadness must have been  overwhelming. All of us have experienced the death of a family member or friend that devastates us. We are lost, bereft, angry. The women walking slowly to Jesus’s tomb certainly felt all those emotions.  

They were to prepare his body.  Yet when they arrived at the tomb they found it vacant. Imagine being there with them. The shock of an empty tomb would only compound the intense feeling of sadness.  Then two men appeared “in dazzling apparel” and reminded them of a very important point that Jesus had told them. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but risen. Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee.” Those words burst through the intense sadness that they were feeling. The women realized that yes Jesus had said just that. Today was the third day, he has Risen.

We then see, two disciples on their way home. Cleopas and another unnamed disciple are slowing walking away from Jerusalem. They are swimming in despair.  Their teacher, their Messiah is dead.  They had such high hopes but now only sadness is present.  Talking amongst themselves they try to figure out what happened. They had just heard of what happened at the tomb. How Mary Magdalene and the others had found the tomb empty. They knew that the two “angels” had said that Jesus was alive.  But like the other disciples they could not see, they didn’t realize the truth of what had happened.

The two disciples are joined on their journey by another.  One who they don’t recognize.  He asks them what they are talking so intently about.  They are stunned.  How could he not know? Everyone in Jerusalem knew.  Still they tell him, ending with what had happened that morning at the tomb.

The man answers; “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 

Then something incredible happens.

The man then explained to them in detail how the bible, from Moses to the prophets to the psalms had all foretold not just the events that had just taken place but they could now also understand completely what Jesus had always spoke of. They were of course amazed and coming to the end of their journey they wanted to continue this discussion with the stranger.  Asking him to stay, the man joined them for something to eat.  Taking a piece of bread, he blessed it and broke it into pieces giving each of them a piece. At that very moment their eyes were opened and they now knew the identity of this stranger. It was Jesus. And he vanished. Luke tells us their hearts burned when Jesus opened the scriptures to them.  They were beside themselves in excitement. What was once a mystery was now completely understood.  They had to tell someone.  They had to tell the other disciples. And with that they returned to Jerusalem.

Once Cleopas and his companion were with the disciples, the words must have poured out of them.  They had seen Jesus.  The Messiah had accomplished what he had always told them.  He had risen, three days after the crucifixion. Jesus had talked with them, ate with them and now they understood all that he had been teaching them.  Remember the other disciples were most likely in hiding from the Roman authorities, deep in sadness.  But now their two friends had incredible news. Could it be true? Had Jesus risen? Then they heard a voice and four words.

“Peace be with you”.

Upon hearing this their conversation must have stopped mid-sentence.  They knew those words, that voice. But could it be true.  This is just what Cleopas had been telling them. But doubts crept in. How could it be?

“Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Jesus asked them.  Even after being with Jesus for three years and listening to his every word, they had doubts.  Jesus then explained to them as he had done with Cleopas and his companion.  He opened their minds to what Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms had foretold. Now they understood, there were no more questions. 

Their minds must have been reeling. The secrets of God had just been explained to them. Had this just happened? Were they imagining this? 

As Christians, the Bible is probably a good place to start when we have questions concerning our faith. Many of us have bookshelves loaded with Study Bibles, commentaries, Bibles of every translation possible, books on how to study the Bible, reading plans and various biographies on all the various characters involved. We also have an unlimited resource in the internet with an endless number of sites devoted to the study of the Bible. Does this all help?

I think it helps us with the background information, but doesn’t get us any closer to the true essence of the Holy Word of God.  To achieve that we need to do what we have been doing during this period of Lent. Examine ourselves to see if anything is taking us away from our relationship with God.  We pray to God for the understanding of his Word. We will receive that guidance.

What happened to Cleopas and his companion and then the eleven disciples was monumental.  An understanding of the Word of God was complete, all their questions were answered. As a Christian I need to work towards this better understanding.  Relying on God and not the world will achieve this.