In verse 16, Luke says, “there eyes were kept from recognizing him” (16). That’s a way to
say that God kept them from recognizing him. While the body of Jesus is glorious, the story
shows us that he was recognizable. But they can’t see right now. In his grace, God opens up
our eyes. Notice verse 31, “their eyes were opened.” And flip back to Luke 18:34. Luke
writes that they didn’t understand. We need God to open up our eyes to the truth, we
should say, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (Ps 118:23)
In verse 17, Jesus asks them what they’re talking about and we read that they were “sad.”
Cleopas asks, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know what has
happened?” (18). Ironically, He’s the only one in Jerusalem who does know what has
happened! They basically ask him, “Have you been under a rock?!”
Jesus goes along with them “What things?” They report on Jesus. They says, “He was from
Nazareth. He was a prophet. His miracles were amazing. His teaching was fresh, not like the
Scribes. But then he was crucified, and all our hopes have been crushed.
It has been three days since then.
In verse 22-24, shows us that they still had a thread of hope. They are puzzled by the report
of the women. They women were reporting that the tomb was empty.
B. The Big Picture: Jesus is the Hero of the Bible (25-27)
This pair had a hard time putting crucifixion, resurrection, and Messiah together. Everyone
expected Messiah to come and overthrow all the enemies. But Jesus died on a cross. And
kings don’t die on a cross. So Jesus has to explain things.
He starts out with “Foolish ones!” (25). He says, “You are a little slow on the uptake.” Don’t
you realize that the Old Testament told you what you should expect?
Circle the word “all.” In every part of the Bible, one can find the Messiah. Notice verse 44 –
“the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings.” These are the three divisions that the Hebrews
used for dividing up the OT. In all of these, Jesus says, “I have fulfilled the expectations, and
the promises.”
• It sounds like Paul later before Agrippa, “I stand here testifying both to small and great,
saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ
must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both
to our people and to the Gentiles.” (Acts 26:22b-23). Paul says “I’m just believing the
message of the Bible.”