April 23
“What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” Luke 24:17.
This was the question that Jesus addressed on Easter afternoon to two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were walking along and talking about what had happened since Friday. As they walked along, suddenly Jesus met them and walked with them. However, He miraculously kept their eyes from recognizing Him. After He listened to their conversation for a short time, He asked the question, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”
Of course, as the all-knowing Son of God, He was not asking for any new information for Himself. He knew what they were talking about, and He knew why they were sad.
The name of one of the two followers was Cleopas. The name of the other one remains unknown. Cleopas was shocked, and asked Jesus, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” To that question, Jesus asked another question: “What things?” The all-knowing Son of God acted as if He did not know what they were talking about. It gave them an opportunity to pour out their hearts to Jesus.
God often asks questions, not for His own information, but to give people an opportunity to search their own hearts. God has done this from the beginning of time. God came into the Garden of Eden and called to Adam, “Where are you? . . . Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Genesis 3:9, 11. God asked Eve, “What is this you have done?” Genesis 3:13. God asked those questions – as if He did not know! With those questions, He moved our first parents to search their own hearts and to see and confess their sin!
The questions of God move us to search our own hearts so that we might come to a knowledge of the truth for the sake of our own salvation!
The Emmaus disciples asked Jesus whether He was the only stranger in town who did not know what had happened since Friday! Then they repeated to Jesus everything He had just suffered to redeem all people! They also told Him that, according to certain reports, some women stated that His grave was empty, and some other disciples had gone to the grave and found that everything the women had reported was true!
The two Emmaus disciples reported to Jesus that their high hopes had been dashed to the ground. “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel!” How often have our own high hopes been dashed to the ground because of our spiritual doubts or weakness of faith? We too at times have walked along life’s highway with doubts and sadness because we did not fully believe or we doubted what is recorded in Holy Scripture!
Flee to Scripture and search it for God’s promises with reference to both body and soul, and with reference to both time and eternity! And pray, “Gracious God, strengthen my faith in Jesus, Your Son and my Savior, who has redeemed me from sin, death, and the power of the devil!”
“Send some message from Thy Word,
That may joy and peace afford;
Let Thy Spirit now impart,
Full salvation to each heart.
Grant that all may seek and find
Thee a gracious God, and kind.
Heal the sick, the captive free;
Let us all rejoice in Thee.” Amen.