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. 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.” (Luke 24:22–24 (ESV)
All four Gospels parallel each other concerning the events on Resurrection Sunday. The Holy Spirit specifically inspired one of two of the writers to provide particular information not found in the other Gospels. While each writer provides selective, insightful information, they do not contradict each other in telling the wonderful news that Jesus Christ is alive. Such is the case with today’s text from Luke regarding Jesus’ appearance to the so-called Emmaus Disciples.
Continuing our study concerning the Emmaus Disciples and their encounter with Jesus, the Lord engaged the men in conversation as they walked together. Following their initial comments concerning Jesus and His ministry, unaware they were speaking with the Lord, the two men commented further.
They told the Lord about the women and their amazing news of the empty tomb (Luke 24:1-11). The men related the announcement of Jesus’ missing body, the appearance of angels and the glorious saying that Jesus was alive.
“This shows that the report of the women to The Eleven had already been spreading. There must have been a rather close relationship between the inner and the wider circle of disciples. And no wonder, when the news was so startling. It was too exciting not to be told,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
The Emmaus men then spoke of how some of the other went to see the burial site for themselves. While discovering the tomb empty they did not see the Lord.
“The two men were probably thinking of Peter and John, for they were the ones who had gone to the tomb and had found everything exactly as the women had reported, but had not seen the Risen Savior. See John 20:1–10. So now Cleopas and his companion are bewildered. They don’t know what to make of it.”
“These two friends of Jesus are returning to Emmaus. It is springtime. Yet they hear not the singing of birds. They see not the awakening of Nature. With lagging feet, under leaden skies, they continue on their way home … home from a funeral! A dear one has been buried. Jesus of Nazareth. “Yes, stranger, we hoped that he was the One who would redeem Israel.” “We hoped [past tense] but now all hope is gone,” concludes Dr. Hendriksen.
The two Emmaus Disciples are soon to have a glorious awakening from the Lord Himself. What about you? Have you received the divine awakening by the Holy Spirit concerning the Gospel of the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Soli deo Gloria!
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