Our scripture this week is Luke 24:13-35.
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
Luke 24:25-29
Jesus seems disappointed in their reaction, that after all His teachings about what He came for and what He must do, they still don’t understand and believe. Perhaps we shouldn’t judge them too harshly, at this point even those closest to Him were still not fully convinced of the resurrection. He begins the lesson by reminding them of the scriptures about the Messiah, and connecting them to what had happened.
Jesus had taught them that this was what must happen. He had said before “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” (Luke 9:22). Each time He said this, the disciples either disagreed or simply didn’t understand. Cleopas and his friend are so interested in this lesson, they invite Him to stay the night and eat with them, even though they still do not recognize Jesus.
We have the wonderful opportunity to learn from their experience, to know the joy of the risen Christ. We too can share His love with a world that desperately needs to understand His teaching. This is what Jesus has called us for, and He wants us to be ready for the challenge.
Gracious God, in Your love and mercy You sent Jesus to be our teacher, our model, our brother. Help us to see the reality of His resurrection and the blessing of salvation that it brings. Amen.