Jesus and the Stranger

Emmaus was not far, only seven miles, and the walk would do them good. The two, Cleopas and Josiah, could no longer stand the confinement of the city. Jesus was dead. And they had lost all hope.

Cleopas had a small farm in Emmaus and was going to begin the spring plowing and planting. After all, with Jesus dead there was no leader to follow, no teacher to learn from. And the Pharisees would now be after every disciple with a vengeance.

His friend, Josiah, was ready for a change of scenery as well. The scene he had witnessed of Jesus SUffering on the cross was a nightmare that would not go away.

“I can’t get the picture out of my mind,” Josiah said as they walked. “It was so horrible, yet I wasn’t brave enough to stop it!”

“None of us were,” said Cleopas. “Everyone, including Peter, turned and ran away. What else could we do?” Their hearts were like stones within them. Such is the result of guilt-ridden loneliness.

They didn’t hear the stranger come up behind them. “Hello!” So lost in thought, the two were startled by the cheery greeting. Sullen faced and suspicious of the stranger, Cleopas and Josiah grumbled a greeting and fell as silent as the dirt they walked on.

“Why so glum on a beautiful day like today, friends? The sun is bright and the air is cool. It’s a beautiful day to be alive, don’t you think?” The stranger almost chided them with his joy.

His happiness angered the usually soft-spoken Cleopas. “Are you the only one in Jerusalem that hasn’t heard what happened? Jesus the Nazarene, a man of God and a prophet, was sentenced to death and crucified! We had hoped that He was the Messiah and had come to deliver Israel. And now on the third day since the terrible murder, some of our women came from the tomb and said they couldn’t find His body! The women saw angels, and these angels told them that Jesus was alive. Our friends Peter and John went to the tomb and found it  empty, just like the women said. But Peter and John didn’t see the angels or Jesus.”

The stranger just shook his head. What he said then startled the two sad followers of Jesus. “You are so thick-headed and slow of heart,” He began. “Don’t you believe all that the prophets say? They clearly state that the Messiah first must suffer before entering His glory.” All the way to Emmaus, the stranger explained the stories of the bible in a way the two had never heard before. As they listened, their cold and lonely hearts were set on fire with hope. Maybe Jesus is alive! Maybe the women really did see angels!

But then the road came to a fork. Down one way the lights of Emmaus could be seen; in the other direction lay open countryside. “Well, friends,” said the stranger, “I have a long way to go. Good-bye.”

“Wait!” Cleopas practically grabbed Him to keep Him from leaving. “Nighttime is coming and You have no place to stay. Please come home with us and stay the evening. We have so many questions still to ask. Please don’t leave us now!”

Arriving at Cleopas’ house the three were again lost in conversation about the Messiah. The two disciples could not believe the wisdom and understanding of the stranger. Never had anyone, except Jesus of course, been able to explain the Scriptures like Him!

Finally, they sat down to eat a little bread together. Cleopas looked at the stranger and said, “Sir, we don’t even know your name. But your words have been such an encouragement to us. Would you honor us by saying the blessing over this small meal?”

The stranger smiled and picked up the loaf of bread. Looking up to heaven, he said ever so simply, “Abba, bless this meal.” He then turned to the men and said, “My name is Jesus.”

It was like blindness was taken from their eyes! Suddenly they recognized their Savior. And just as suddenly, He vanished from their sight! But it was Jesus all right. There was no longer any doubt in their hearts.

Rushing out the door, they practically ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell the others. How their hearts had been changed the instant they recognized Jesus. Now they could go on forever telling the Good News. He is alive! He is risen! And His name is Jesus!