What is the Emmaus Road?

What is the Emmaus Road?  Literally it is a road leading to a small village about 7 miles from Jerusalem in Judea.  “That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:13)  The incident is simple and yet breathtaking!  We simply see two despondent disciples walking along a road following the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  As they are walking Jesus appears and begins to walk with them and ask them questions and then something glorious happens that still happens today! 

 Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?"  (Luke 24:17-19)

 After these two explained the recent events to this stranger Jesus begins to interpret the scriptures to His two followers.

 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself... And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”  (Luke 24:25-32)

What is the Emmaus road?  For me it represents the invitation from Jesus to “Come” and follow him, to pursue him, to be taught by him and to delight in him!  In The Pursuit of God, Tozer makes the following observation, “To have found God and still pursue Him is the soul’s paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too easily satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart.”  We have been created in His image, therefore we have the capacity to know Him and once redeemed and filled with the Holy Spirit we have the capacity, ability and power to know Him intimately!

What is the Emmaus road for me?  It is hearing the LORD’s voice and invitation to “come” and then following His voice.  In John chapter 10 Jesus says,“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”  David responding to the LORD in Psalm 27 writes, “My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”” (Psalm 27:8)  Finally, we see Jesus beautiful invitation to those in the Church, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (Revelation 3:20)

God longs for His adopted children to pursue Him, He desires us to press into His presence and live our whole lives in His midst.  Once you get on the road to Emmaus and your heart begins to burn in the presence of the King of kings a strange thing happens…indeed you want more, Tozer was right about the paradox of love.  Something else wonderful happens, once your heart is set ablaze for the glory of the LORD you run to others and cry “taste and see that the LORD is good.”

Pursuing Him together!

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