The Story of Easter – Day #10
(Devotional by Pastor Ben)

Later that day, two followers of Jesus are walking to a neighboring village, talking about this strange turn of events. The resurrected Jesus appears, walking alongside them, and asks what they are talking about with such sad faces. Mistaking Him for an out-of-town-er, they tell Jesus His own story!

 “One of them named Cleopas asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ He asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
    “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
    “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on 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?”
                                (Luke 24:18-32)

Jesus helps Cleopas and his companion re-interpret their beliefs. Once their minds are opened, their physical eyes are opened and they recognize Jesus. Another encounter from Jesus’ past draws similar comparisons between spiritual and physical sight; Read John 9.

Cleopas and his friend can’t get back to Jerusalem fast enough to confirm the good news the women had already reported. But the disciples  are huddled in hiding, knowing full well that Jesus’ disappearance could lead to their arrest for body-stealing.

 “While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.’
    When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, ‘Do you have anything to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’
    “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
                                (Luke 24:36-48)

The disciples lock themselves in a room, but the lock can’t keep Jesus out. Fear close them in, but love overcomes their fear. Read 1 John 4:7-21 for the behind-the-scenes description of how God’s love trumps fear.