There’s a story in the Bible where two friends share
the same feelings. The story is found in Luke 24.
Jesus had just been crucified 3 days earlier. They
were some of his followers and they were
heartbroken. Now as they walk between two towns they
begin to discuss the rumor that somehow Jesus had
resurrected from the dead. Still saddened and very
much confused, they are approached by a stranger on
the road that has seemingly been living in a hole
the past week. He knows nothing about this story. So
they begin to tell him about it. He obviously wasn’t
there to see it either, right?
As they walk they talk about how they had hoped
Jesus was the promised King, but that he wound up
being crucified. Suddenly the one walking beside
them seemingly becomes an expert and unpacks the
Scriptures for them to help them see that this had
all been prophesied. They were dumbfounded by his
wisdom and understanding, so they invite him to come
and dine with them. While they are dining this
stranger takes bread, breaks it, and suddenly they
realize that their mystery guest is really the
resurrected Jesus! Immediately Jesus disappears but
they leave that room forever changed as people who
have experienced the resurrected Jesus.
So often when I read the Scriptures I wish that I
could have been there to see the resurrected Jesus
with my own two eyes. But when I read this account
in Luke, I realize that is exactly what Jesus wants
for us too. Rather than just tell us the story of
the disciples coming to the empty tomb, Luke tells
this account so that we too can experience the
resurrected Jesus.
