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The Long and Winding Road

July 30, 2023

Luke 24:13-53

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. 17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 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. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Read Luke 24:13-24

  1. How does verse 16 address our natural question: “How could they not know it was Jesus”?
  2. Here again Luke is very specific about naming Cleopas. Why is this significant?
  3. Based on what you read here, do you think Cleopas and his companions believed at this moment that Jesus had been resurrected? Why or why not?

Read Luke 24:25-32

  1. Jesus walked this group through the Old Testament prophesies about the Messiah. It took him most of their 7-mile walk to do so. Given what you know right now, how long would it take you to share everything you know on this subject? If you feel like you don’t know much, where might you go to learn more?
  2. Read verses 30-31. What was it about giving thanks, breaking the bread and giving it to them that helped the group understand what was really going on?
  3. Describe the ‘private’ joke shared by Herod and Pilate that caused them to become friends. How does this emphasize Jesus’ role as the one who reconciles all of humanity to God?

Read Luke 24:33-43

  1. I love that they immediately got up and embarked on the 7-mile return journey to Jerusalem! Why do you think it was so important to them to get back to Jerusalem right away?
  2. Earlier Jesus had suddenly disappeared. Here he suddenly appears out of nowhere. What does this suggest or imply about the nature of his resurrected body?
  3. What is significant about them touching Jesus and Jesus eating fish? What does this suggest or imply about the nature of his resurrected body?

Read Luke 24:44-53

  1. What do you think is meant in verse 45 about ‘opening their minds’ so they could understand the scriptures? Do you think God still does this for followers of Jesus? What has been your experience? How might your Bible reading be impacted by beginning with a prayer for Jesus to open your mind?
  2. What do you know about the relationship between the Gospel of Luke (which we have just come to the end of) and The Acts of the Apostles (5th book in the New Testament)? Does verse 49 feel like that moment late in a movie that let’s you know they are planning on making a sequel? It should. Based on verse 49, how would you expect a sequel to Luke’s gospel to begin?
  3. How do you feel as this account comes to an end? What questions do you still have? What parts of the narrative are still unclear to you?