In Luke chapter 24 we are told the story of two disciples who are walking along toward Emmaus, Cleopas and his unnamed friend. As they travel on the first day of the week, they are joined by an unknown stranger who inquires of their conversation. Confusion and disbelief have clouded the disciples understanding of the weekend’s events, as well as their general understanding of the Scriptures. They try to explain to the stranger all that has taken place, but their facts and interpretation are incomplete. The result is sadness, doubt, and hopelessness.

Of this passage Augustine wrote, “They had lost faith, lost hope. They were walking along, dead, with Christ alive. They were walking along dead, with life itself by their side. Life was walking along with them, but in their hearts life had not yet been restored.”

In this moment their traveling companion, the risen Jesus, choses to reveal himself. Yet he does so not by pulling back the hood of his cloak so they could see his face more clearly. Not by giving them a vision, or a dream, or a dramatic theophany. No, Jesus revealed himself through the written word of God, expounding to them how the whole of Scripture points to himself.

After this glorious explanation of the grand story of redemption, Jesus agrees to stay with them for a meal. At the table, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them. In this very moment their eyes were opened, and they recognized Jesus as the risen Messiah. From this moment on, their lives would never be the same. Jesus had risen and that changed the entire world.