Luke 24:12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles (sixty stadia or about eleven kilometers) from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.

(The total walk from Jerusalem to Nazareth would be about 150 km, but these two disciples had only hurried out of Jerusalem a short distance in that direction.)

15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

Another sojourner, a traveler along the busy north-south Roman highway, is usually an unremarkable event (like having another automobile come alongside you in this day).

17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”

And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

(Perhaps an acknowledging compassionate smile from their fellow traveler via Emmaus; yet their eyes were still not opened, as often ours are not when we become preoccupied with our own troubles.)

22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.

(How the heart of our risen Lord must have been filled with compassion for the loss of His beloved friends when He had died on the Cross.)

24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

(And Jesus begins to draw their attention as with His former Authority.)

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going.

He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying,

“Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”

So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

To be continued…