THE TESTIMONY OF CLEOPAS FROM EMMAUS

Cleopas, Rabbi of the school in Emmaus. I do put forth this letter to encourage all who choose to follow the risen Lord Jesus. I begin with the words recorded by the Apostle Luke, as he tells my experience on the day of our Lord's resurrection. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. Luke 24:13-17 We were not part of the inner circle of disciples, but we too, were followers of Jesus. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?” "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. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem [or set free] Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” Luke 24:18-24 We gave a brief synopsis of the day. Of course, all of this was not news to Jesus, but he quietly waited for us to finish. He had news for us too. He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ 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. Luke 24:25-27 Jesus told us that THE MESSIAH had to suffer, die and then come back to life. He said it was necessary. You can be sure this raised my eyebrows. But Jesus didn't stop there. He went back into the Jewish Scriptures and taught us about himself, starting at the very beginning. He then progressed step by step, story by story, through the entire Bible. It was quite a lesson! As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted 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. 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?” Luke 24:28-32 God himself had lit a fire of understanding in our minds. We were excited! They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. Luke 24:33 You can imagine the trip back to the city as we discussed what we would say to the eleven disciples. The journey was all uphill, and it was almost evening but we pushed ourselves. We had good news! There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. 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.” Luke 24:33-44 Just as he had done earlier with us on the road to Emmaus, Jesus used the Scriptures to explain all the events surrounding his death, burial and resurrection. Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:45-48 Jesus said his death, burial and resurrection, must happen to fulfill Scripture. He went on to say this was such good news that it would be told everywhere, beginning at Jerusalem. This may well be the greatest sermon Jesus ever delivered, and it was just for us. This is more proof that God cares for us, individually; He will go to great lengths to express His love for you. Before I go on with the story I want to stop and go back to the beginning, just as Jesus did with us. I want to review what Jesus said about himself in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms. Exactly why did Jesus come to the earth, and why did he have to suffer and die, when all along he planned to come back to life? Why didn't he simply tell people to believe in him and skip the entire crucifixion? What were these events all about – his death, burial and resurrection? When you understand this, you will have the whole picture.