Seeing the Fullness of the Glory of Christ
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 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. 18 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?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 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.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
COREM DEO
It’s Resurrection Sunday, and these two disciples are amongst those who heard the report from the women that Jesus is alive. As Carson mentioned on Sunday, even Jesus’s disciples were slow to believe the miracle that Jesus had foretold. So Jesus conceals his appearance and decides to connect the Old Testament dots that would reveal the full picture of resurrection hope to them. If ever there was a New Testament story that emphasizes the importance of Old Testament understanding, this is it!
I think we all have a tendency to spend more time and give greater study to the New Testament. A person need only read the book of John to have the Cliff Notes of the gospel. Similarly, a person can watch Star Wars episode 4 and say that they know Luke Skywalker. But they don’t know the richness of his full character. They have no idea that the princess he’s saving is actually his twin sister and that the enemy he’s trying to kill is actually his father. They also don’t realize that Luke’s greatest teacher will not be Obi Wan, but rather an old green alien who’s got major hops!
You miss the depth of the character if you only watch episode 4, just as you miss the beauty of our Savior if all you have is the NewTestament. Matthew 5 tells us that He is the fulfillment of the prophets and the law. How familiar are you with Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all the others? Jesus believes them to be very important to understanding the fullness of who He is.
