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Companions
on the Road: Congregational Handbook
That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from
Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
While they were talking and discussing together, 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 which 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?" And they said to him,
"Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God
and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned
to death, and crucified him.
But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is
now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They
were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying
that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 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." And he said to them, "O foolish men, 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.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going
further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening
and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table
with them, he took bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes
were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of 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?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem;
and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said,
"The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had
happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke
24:13-35, RSV)
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Written by: Stephen P. Bouman
Copyright © by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 8765
W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631. 800/638-3522. Produced by Christian
Education of the Division for Congregational Ministries.
Permission is granted for congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America to reproduce this resource for local use.
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