Have you ever turned down a road just because you’ve never been on it before? The wonder of where it goes and where it will take you is often intriguing. This is the first of four articles that involve a road, a soul, and a lesson learned.
The village of Emmaus is a distance of seven and a half miles down out of Jerusalem. Luke tells us of a lesson that was learned on that road by two of Jesus’ disciples after His resurrection. The disciples were traveling down the road discussing what had taken place with Jesus. Jesus himself followed behind listening and eventually interrupts them. He keeps them from knowing His identity. They were forlorn as to what had happened to Jesus, “”But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened” (Luke 24:21). Jesus said they were foolish for their unbelief and “beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). Could you imagine! That would be the best Bible lesson ever! The Christ is teaching you all about Himself from centuries of Godhead inspired writings. His message was so compelling that the men asked Him to sup with them that night. As Jesus blessed and broke the bread, they were allowed to know it was Jesus, and He vanished from their presence. Their comment was, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us” (Luke 24:32)? They got up and raced back to Jerusalem and found the eleven and told them what they had seen.
They weren’t so down about Jesus after that event. We can see the effect that correct information has on one’s faith. If you believed Jesus was a man that died and did not rise from the dead, then yes, everything you had hoped for would be lost. “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:16-17). That is why it is so important that we truly know who Christ is. Who was this One from Nazareth? It is eternally important that we know and teach correctly about who He was and is today. “For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:22-24).
Maybe you are on the road to Emmaus, the road of learning. Maybe you have a firm grasp of who Jesus is and who He is in your life. Either way, a life in faith starts with learning, proper understanding and correct application.