The Emmaus Road: November 9, 2025
🔥 Burning Hearts and Open Eyes: Lessons from the Road to Emmaus
This past Sunday, we dug into a powerful and beloved story from Luke 24: the journey on the Road to Emmaus. If you've been with us, you know we've walked through Jesus' last supper, his betrayal, his crucifixion, and last week, the glorious news of his resurrection—Jesus is alive!
The city of Jerusalem was buzzing with rumors, but two disciples, Cleopas and his companion, were walking seven miles back home to Emmaus, discussing all the heartbreaking events. They were discouraged. They were disappointed. They had hoped Jesus was the one who would redeem Israel, but now he was dead—or so they thought.
Here are the three main takeaways from this incredible encounter:
1. Jesus is Present, Even When We Don't See Him
As the disciples walked, discouraged and debating, a "stranger" (Jesus!) joined their conversation. What's amazing is that their eyes were kept from recognizing him. They felt disappointed and abandoned, yet the risen Christ was literally walking right beside them!
This is such a profound encouragement for us. How often have we walked the road of our own discouragement and disappointment, crying out, "God, where are you?" This story reminds us of the promise: Jesus is present in our struggles, even when our eyes are too clouded by hurt or confusion to see him. He never leaves us!
2. Jesus Opens Our Eyes Through His Word
After hearing their disheartened story, Jesus gently rebuked them: "How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken!" Then, he launched into what was surely the greatest Bible study of all time. Starting with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures. He showed them that the Messiah had to suffer first, and then enter into his glory.
As he taught, they later recalled: "Weren't our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?"
The Word of God is powerful! Even when they didn't know who he was, the truth of Scripture, explained by the living Word himself, set their hearts on fire. All of Scripture points to Jesus and the Gospel—it's where we find truth that pierces, convicts, and opens our minds to understanding.
3. A True Encounter with Jesus Leads to a Changed Mission
It wasn't until they urged him to stay and he took bread, blessed and broke it—a beautiful echo of the last supper—that "their eyes were opened and they recognized him." In that instant, he disappeared!
The recognition was immediate, and their disappointment was instantly replaced with a burning faith and excitement.
What did they do next? They didn't settle in for the night! That very hour, they got up and ran the seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples: "The Lord has truly been raised!"
A true encounter with the risen Jesus changes everything. It turns a journey away from Jerusalem (disappointment) into a desperate run back to Jerusalem (mission and good news).
My encouragement for all of us is this: don't just hear the Gospel, let your heart burn for it! If you've encountered Jesus, let that excitement propel you to tell your friends, family, and neighbors that He is alive and walking with them, too.
What is one "road" of disappointment you are walking on right now? The good news is, Jesus is there. He meets us in our doubt, opens our eyes through his Word, and turns our downcast hearts into burning hearts of faith!
