The two from Emmaus had no idea who they were talking to; they just thought He was some guy
from out of town. ‘Where have you been these days?’ they asked. ‘Don’t you know what has been going on?’ As if they could teach the stranger a thing or two!
“Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’
“What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.” (Luke 24:19-24)
Well, from there it wasn’t the two disciples that taught the stranger anything He didn’t already know, it was the stranger that took them on a journey throughout the panoramic view of Scripture.
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27)
He was there right throughout the details of every book, every passage, at every turn, right on to being heard in the very cry of Davids own mouth. He was the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent, He was the tree of life to restore all of mankind, He was the fruitful garden of God’s pleasure, and the new Adam who would bring many into life.
He was the fulfilment of Abraham’s promise. He was deliverer and redeemer of Israel from the house of bondage. He could be seen in the desert with Israel’s wanderings throughout the wilderness, He was the rock that followed them and the water that gushed from that rock to quench their thirst. He was the bread that came down from heaven to feed and nourish them and the bronze serpent that was lifted up in the camp to save and heal them from the fiery serpents.
He was the pillar of fire by night and the cloud that led them by day. He was the law inscribed by the finger of God on tablets of stone. He was the ark of acacia wood covered all over with gold. He was Aaron’s rod that budded. He was the tabernacle and the tent of meeting and figured in all of its adornments and the details of the tent. He was the Passover lamb and the atoning sacrifice.
He was the one that was to come. He was Isaiah’s suffering servant, He was Jeremiahs new covenant fulfilment, He was Ezekiel’s house, and Amos’ future restoration. He was Daniel’s Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven. He was the one seated on Davids throne forever. He was the golden reign of Solomon.
He was the ruler of Israel born in Bethlehem. He was the sign of Jonah, in the belly of the earth for three days. He was Boaz, the kinsman redeemer. He was the restoration of all things and the peace and goodwill to all mankind.
His ministry spans eternity, for His government knows no end, His earthly ministry was a mere breath along an eternal line, yet these books record and declared Him to be the One that all were looking for. It was the signature of the Authors’ finger, to sign off on all of its pages the telling life and glory of His Son!
Finally, the story signed off in His own blood, the sacrifice that was foretold. The prophets had declared all the events of the past days, which had now come to a final close. This One of whom the Book spoke was speaking to them. He had finished His story.
And as they sat sharing a meal together, He broke the bread and passed it around. Suddenly the stories He told them all came rushing together and all made sense in one incredible climactic moment. His earthly ministry had culminated in resurrection!
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,” (Luke 24:46, NASB95)