Post-Resurrection Appearances of Jesus – The Appearance to Two Disciples-Cleopas and Another

April 8, 2021 (Thursday)

On that same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking to each other about all the things that had happened. As they talked and discussed, Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them; they saw him, but somehow did not recognize him. Jesus said to them, “What are you talking about to each other, as you walk along?” They stood still, with sad faces. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that have been happening there these last few days?” “What things?” he asked. “The things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. “This man was a prophet and was considered by God and by all the people to be powerful in everything he said and did. Our chief priests and rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and he was crucified. And we had hoped that he would be the one who was going to set Israel free! Besides all that, this is now the third day since it happened. Some of the women of our group surprised us; they went at dawn to the tomb, but could not find his body. They came back saying they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he is alive. Some of our group went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said, but they did not see him.” Then Jesus said to them, “How foolish you are, how slow you are to believe everything the prophets said! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?” And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets. As they came near the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther; but they held him back, saying, “Stay with us; the day is almost over and it is getting dark.” So he went in to stay with them. He sat down to eat with them, took the bread, and said the blessing; then he broke the bread and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, “Wasn’t it like a fire burning in us when he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

The following paragraphs were found on online. The phrase, “fire burning in us,” is the basis for weekend retreats known as “Walk to Emmaus,” or “The Emmaus Walk.” Several of my friends have participated in such a weekend and all of them have positive reports of the retreat. According to the official Walk to Emmaus website (emmaus.upperroom.org), Emmaus experiences are intended to be a time of “spiritual renewal and formation.” Participants are invited by a sponsor and apply to participate. During the weekend, participants meet with small groups and are encouraged to explore how they can live the call to discipleship within their own homes, churches, and communities. Participants are invited to continue meeting with small groups and others of the Emmaus community after the weekend concludes for continued accountability, instruction, support, and encouragement. Past participants are also invited to serve at future Walk to Emmaus weekends.

The stated mission of Walk to Emmaus is “Empowering Leaders to be the hands and feet of Christ.” The goal of Emmaus is helping Christians live as disciples of Christ and become active members of His body, participating in His mission. The three-day experience of Emmaus is designed to “inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work.”

The weekend described above is one of the ways in which people can be drawn close to the Lord and focus on what is really imortant in their lives. When we have such experiences, many times unplanned, we might describe the feelings we have as “a burning heart.” I am for whatever happens in our lives that draws us close to the Lord.