Living Room Study

Luke 24

“Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.  Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.  And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them.  But they were prevented from recognizing Him.”  Luke 24:13-16

There has been much speculation as to Jesus’ appearance to the two gentlemen on the road to Emmaus. Among the questions raised, are: Who were these men; and what does the town of Emmaus have to do with their story?

The battle of Emmaus was the turning point in the Jewish revolt against the Selucid Greeks. This was several generations prior to Jesus’ birth. The war began when the Greek King, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, issued decrees that forbade Jewish religious practices.

A young zealot named Judah Maccabee led a small band of Jewish rebels, who drove-out a much larger and better-trained Greek army. Towards the end of the war, Antiochus Epiphanes sought to defile the Temple in Jerusalem.

After driving-out the Greeks, Judah Maccabee, whose name means “Hammer of Judah”, purified the defiled temple in Jerusalem. The re-consecration of the Temple is the backdrop for the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah.

So, what does Hanukkah have to do with Jesus’ appearance to the Emmaus road disciples?

Most probably, the Emmaus road disciples were hoping Messiah would have been a military leader, who would redeem Israel by force. Their testimony to Jesus indicates such. Luke 24:21 After Jesus’ resurrection, they would have been traveling to Emmaus, assuming Jesus would be appear there…the turning point in the last Jewish war against foreign oppressors…to gather his army. Regardless of their motives, Jesus met with them, and their time with Him prompted their return to Jerusalem.

I find the road to Emmaus story to be strikingly similar to Psalm 1, except this time, Jesus redeemed the situation for His Glory.

“How happy is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful.  Instead, His delight is in the Lord’s instruction.”  Psalm 1:1-2

Jesus encountered the men who were walking away from Jerusalem, and offered His counsel. Then they stopped and listened to His instruction. Eventually, they sat at a table with Him as He served them a meal identical to communion.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins