Walking the Emmaus Road - Part 4

Daily Byte

The two disciples on the road to Emmaus were joined by the risen Christ who came to share their journey with them (Luke 24). We read in the story that they were kept from recognizing Jesus, and so didn’t know who it was with whom they were conversing.

But then these disciples did a simple, but beautiful thing. They offered to this stranger the hospitality of their home. We read, “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.” (Luke 24:28-29)

There they shared a meal with Jesus, and it was while he was at the table with them, as he took, blessed, broke and gave some bread to them, that their eyes were finally opened and they recognized that this was in fact Jesus, their Lord.

As the story is told, it is conceivable that had these two disciples NOT offered this unknown traveling companion the gift of their hospitality, they would not have experienced directly the good news of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It was in that kind and compassionate act of connection with a stranger that they came to perceive that Jesus was alive.

It’s a powerful lesson for us about what can happen when we offer kind and generous hospitality to strangers. We live in a world that has grown so wary and suspicious of strangers – sadly, with good reason. But one of the compelling lessons this Easter story teaches us is that the presence of the risen Christ with us is experienced as we dare to reach out in kindness to others.

Pray as you go:

Loving Lord God, I hear the challenging lesson of the gospel today that it is in acts of kindness, compassion and hospitality that your risen presence is experienced in a real and tangible way. Help me to become the kind of person who, more and more, is willing to risk reaching out to others, and as I do open my eyes to recognize you in them. Amen.

Focus scripture
Luke 24:28-32

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?"