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STORY
SETTING AND BACKGROUND ON THE WAY TO EMMAUS After appearing to Mary Magdalene, Jesus appears to
two disciples going to Emmaus, who after recognizing Jesus tell the other
disciples. Mark 16: 12-13;
Luke 24: 13-35; John
20: 11-18 PETER
AND JOHN When Mary Magdalene saw the
open tomb she hurried to tell Peter and John. At once both ran to the tomb to
see for themselves. They saw the linen wrappings lying as they had been
wrapped around the body of Jesus, but the body was gone. The cloth which had covered
the head had been carefully folded or rolled up and put in a separate place.
Even though they saw that the body was gone, they knew that something unusual
had happened. But still they did not understand what Jesus had meant when He
said, "Jesus must rise again from the dead" (John 20: 1-10). Peter and John left to go
home, puzzling over what had happened. The Bible does not tell us whether they
met Mary Magdalene on the way. MARY
MAGDALENE Mary Magdalene came back to mourn at the tomb of her
beloved Lord. In her great grief and distress, she cried bitter tears. The
Greek term for "weeping" means loud, unrestrained crying. Mary let
herself go in her great sorrow. While Mary sobbed, she looked into the tomb.
Through her tears she saw two angels sitting there: one at the foot, and the
other at the head of the grave. Their presence in no way disturbed her. She
simply told them why she was so very sad.
"They have taken away my Lord's body; I don't know where they have
taken it." "They"
refers to some unknown people. Just then Mary turned; why, we are not told. She saw
someone standing there, whom she in her deep grief did not recognize. And this
person sympathetically asked, "Why are you crying so?" "Whom are
you looking for?" -
Were these
questions designed to penetrate her grief to prompt her to see and recognize
who was talking to her? Mary thought this person may be the gardener. Perhaps
he had moved the body and laid it away elsewhere. She asked and in response
Jesus said, "Mary!" Now Mary knew. "Master!" she cried out
in her great joy of recognition. In great joy, Mary
seemingly had or was about to cling to Jesus' feet. This is implied in the
Greek word for "Touch Me not." This term is better translated,
"Don't hold on to Me!" Jesus told her He would be around for a
while. But when He left to go to
heaven, He would return to "My Father and your Father, to My God and to
your God." Mary went to tell the mourning and crying disciples,
"Jesus has risen; I have seen Him!" But the disciples refused to
believe her.
THE
EMMAUS DISCIPLES On the day of Jesus' resurrection, two of
His followers were walking from At this time of the year, the charming
countryside was probably still covered with flowers of many types and colors,
for spring in Jesus joined them but they didn't know it
was Jesus. Many pilgrims were traveling the roads of . Jesus probed, "What are you talking about?"
One of them named Cleopas sadly asked,
"Are you the only stranger in Note how the two characterized Jesus. Keep
in mind His mighty deeds and their hopes that He would show Himself as the
long-awaited Messiah. They blamed the Jewish Council for Jesus' crucifixion and
death. Their hopes have been shattered, for He had been dead for three days.
So great was their disappointment and sorrow that they discounted the report
of the women, even though Peter and John had found the tomb empty. Jesus now began to speak.
He chided them for their dullness in failing to see and believe what the
Scriptures so plainly stated. Then He began to explain all the prophecies of
the Messiah to them. Later they confessed to each other how their hearts were
filled with a feeling of wonder and holy joy as Jesus had explained the
Scriptures to them. The day was coming to an
end and evening was swiftly approaching. They had come to the village to which
they were going. - Emmaus was about 7
miles west-northwest from Jesus pretended that He was
going on but the two urged Him to stay with them. -
Eastern hospitality is very generous. - They took Jesus into the house
to eat and spend the night with them. When they sat down to eat,
Jesus served as host. He took the unleavened bread, said grace, broke the
bread, and passed it to His two hosts. By this act they recognized Him, and
just as quickly He had vanished from their sight. The purpose of His
fellowship with them had
been realized. Filled with joy, the two
decided at once to hurry the seven miles back up to When they arrived, they
were greeted by the glad news, "Jesus has risen; He has appeared to
Peter!" Then the Emmaus disciples told the apostles present about their
own heart-warming experience.
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