Luke 24:13-35

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

(verses 30-32)

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I love the sense of edge-of-the-seat anticipation in this story as these two (Cleopas and his friend) walk side by side with Jesus, deep in conversation about the scriptures, yet with no awareness of who he is. Surely their eyes will open, won’t they?

But they’re clouded – until Jesus takes bread in hand, as simply as on that hillside with five loaves and two fish. Only then do their eyes startle open with awakened reality. Was it the breaking (piece by piece), or the heartfelt praying, or the generous hands extending fresh torn pieces into their own. Whichever. Unexpectedly, they knew. It’s him!

But, as suddenly as sight, he disappeared from their presence. What could they do but rush back to Jerusalem, retracing their steps, eager to tell their friends what they’d seen and heard.

For these disciples there were two points of connection revealing Jesus to mind and heart.

The primary moment of recognition came amid Jesus breaking bread. Cleopas wasn’t one of the Twelve, nor, presumably, was his friend – so they wouldn’t have experienced the breaking of unleavened bread at the Last Supper. But it seems likely they were both there when Jesus fed five thousand men (together with women and children) on the hillside above Galilee, abundantly distributing bread (then fish) to the gathered multitude. That moment would have been seared in their minds. Now they experienced the resurrected hands of the Master doing the same, once again.Their eyes were opened. They knew him.

But there was also revelation that came earlier as they walked and talked with him along the road, opening their minds to apprehend Jesus through the Scriptures even before their physical eyes perceived him. Truly, their hearts burned within them.

Our hearts are warmed, too – in those moments, we see the Risen Lord’s tender goodness, gently instructing dear friends, then blessing them with the surprise of his presence. That specific encounter in time and space is so good.

But it also becomes a compelling metaphor for us. We, too, meet Jesus afresh – deeply, intimately – as we break bread and open the Scriptures.

In the church tradition in which I was nurtured, the Eucharist (“thanksgiving”) or Communion (“deep, relational connection”) is simply called “the Breaking of Bread.” By whichever name we know it, the regular participation in bread and wine is a gift that draws us more deeply into relationship with Jesus. That’s the point. We remember (as if we ourselves were there) his sacrificial death. We hear him say to us, personally, “This is my body, given for you … This is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.” We perceive his goodness. We see his glory. Eyes on Jesus. Opened afresh.

And the Scriptures are the ongoing gift of revelation. Cleopas and friend experienced Jesus opening the Old Testament, explaining “to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (verse 27), which, of course, is abundantly applicable to the New Testament as well. We turn to the Scriptures for many things – guidance, direction, understanding, comfort, wisdom, etc., etc. But in it all, we have an open door into further relationship with our Lord. Eyes on Jesus. Opened afresh.

So, with anticipation, remember the Emmaus Road. Put yourself regularly in a place to be surprised afresh by Jesus. Take bread and wine. Open the Scriptures.

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Lord Jesus, thank you that you want my eyes to be opened more and more fully to you. Thank you that you meet me in Bread and Wine; thank you for the Scriptures. Keep on, dear Lord. Meet me, evermore.

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Reflect:

Two questions: (1) Are you regularly taking part in Bread and Wine, and in the Scriptures? (2) Are you approaching both with eager anticipation of encountering Jesus?

Make a fresh commitment. Invite the Spirit to be at work.

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Photo by Kate Remmer on Unsplash