‘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’ (Luke 24:21).
‘And He said to them: ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!’’ (Luke 24:25)
Two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to their own village of Emmaus, deep in conversation. It was a walk of about 6 miles. Along the way, a man they did not know began walking beside them. They shared with him what they had been talking about: Jesus’ death and burial. They also shared their disappointment: that Jesus did not seem to be the One who would redeem Israel after all. They related how some women were proclaiming that He was alive. The ‘stranger’ rebuked the disciples saying: ‘How foolish and slow of heart you are! Haven’t you learnt anything from your prophets?’ He reminded them of the words that had been repeatedly read to them from childhood about the promised Saviour (for example Genesis 3:12; Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 31).
Even then the two disciples did not recognise who was speaking to them. The moment came when He broke a piece of bread during the meal. Did His pierced hands reveal it to them? The disciples had been talking about how Jesus died and their disappointment in Him. Jesus appeared to them as the Risen Lord. Once they had recognised Him, they did not wait until the next morning but immediately returned to Jerusalem. They wanted others to know this as well: Jesus is alive!
What were the first things you learnt about Jesus, or from Him?