Explore: The promise fulfilled

• The Explore the Bible lesson for April 12 focuses on Luke 24:19-35.

We can trust the Lord’s resurrection actually occurred and is a historical fact. Yet, the truth of Christ’s resurrection must move us beyond mere mental assent. In other words, the reality of the resurrection is more than a simple propositional statement that requires belief. We may ask honest questions concerning the meaning of the resurrection narrative and thereby add understanding to our faith. A faith that seeks understanding can become a strong and effective witness to Jesus Christ as the living Lord.

Consider the story in Luke’s Gospel concerning two of Jesus’ students who questioned their faith while pacing a road to Emmaus. The story is of great help to a reeling bunch of followers trying to make sense of Easter. This story is for the church. These two men on the road act as walking case studies regarding ways in which we can add understanding to our faith. Perhaps the story also sheds much light on how Jesus opens our eyes to a stouter faith. We will ponder four ways the two men on the road learned valuable lessons regarding faith in the resurrected Lord.

The questions raised (24:19-24) 

It is highly interesting that Jesus got these travelers to inquire more about the day’s events. Luke wittingly pointed to the initial response of the men to an incognito Lord. The men’s faces, already gloomy about the crucifixion, seemed to fall further out of incredulity to Jesus’ rather innocuous questions. Cleopus particularly felt as though Jesus must have been hiding under a rock not to hear the latest buzz. This, however, was Jesus’ way of getting the men to work out their faith and questions. Jesus approaches us in much the same way, prompting us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Notice the succinct accounting of the men concerning the gospel story. For instance, they identified Jesus as a powerful prophet, and they accounted for the errors of the chief priests and rulers in crucifying Jesus. They also had placed great hope in Jesus’ messiahship and could not quite make sense of the important third-day image. The testimony of the women who found the empty tomb that morning seemed to have made a strong impression upon them, as well. Jesus certainly had them thinking. In fact, we may find ourselves rooting for these two. They are so close to the kingdom of God.

The Old Testament fulfilled (24:25-27)

Perhaps the supposed stranger was not hiding under a rock after all. In fact, the Lord chided Cleopus and his friend for being “slow to believe.” In the original biblical language, the term for “slow” indicates a reluctance on the part of the two men to make a decision about Jesus. Jesus then set out to explain the Old Testament prophecies and how the Scriptures pointed to the suffering Messiah. Jesus illustrated for us an excellent way to read and interpret the Old Testament—Christologically. Charles Haddon Spurgeon preached that just as all roads in Great Britain lead to London, so all of the Old Testament verses lead to Jesus Christ. This is why the Holy Spirit still causes our hearts to burn when we hear and know all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Messiah revealed (24:28-32) 

A joyful scene transpired after Jesus explained the Scripture to the men on the road. Jesus pretended as if he were moving on after the conversation. Yet, these conscientious men valued hospitality and persistently invited Jesus to dine with them. Jesus obviously accepted the invitation, but he turned the tables on his new friends. Instead of staying put as a dinner guest, Jesus took on hosting duties. Incidentally, Luke purposefully flashes us back to the Lord’s Supper narrative at this point. God accordingly opened the eyes of Cleopas and his compatriot.

A reader must not move too quickly from this point of the story. Notice the men came to full understanding when Jesus broke the bread. Indeed, their hearts burned on the road, but they came to recognize the risen Christ around the table. The church can learn a valuable lesson here. Our witness is more than proclamation alone and more than social action alone. Our witness includes both. In addition, we can constantly look for ways in which to show visually the power of the cross. Sometimes, in fact, the best illustrations take place around a table when Christians visually enact and model the life and ministry of Jesus.  

The resurrection proclaimed (24:33-35)

Cleopas and his friend cannot help but jump up and run to the Eleven with the good news. They had seen the risen Christ. We have therefore quite an example to emulate even today. We have found the faith seeking understanding is quite possible through reflection on the Scripture (both Old and New Testaments), through visually communicating the gospel, and by gathering joyfully together to consider the truth of God’s written and living Word.