Our Personal Journey on our Spiritual Walk to Emmaus with Jesus - Morning by Morning, April 22, 2025

“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 

“And He said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered Him, ‘Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death and crucified Him. 

“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 took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find His body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Him. 

“Then He said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.

“As they came near the village to which they were going, He walked ahead as if He were going on. But they urged Him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32).

Written and sent out from the morning prayer time of Tommy Hays each day.

God bless you and may you have a great day!
—Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries

http://messiah-ministries.org

Transcript

Morning by Morning, April 22, 2025 - Our Personal Journey on our Spiritual Walk to Emmaus with Jesus

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to see You—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of God—as I look and listen for Your leading today.  ...

“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him. 

“And He said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered Him, ‘Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be condemned to death and crucified Him. 

“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 took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find His body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Him. 

“Then He said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them the things about himself in all the Scriptures.

“As they came near the village to which they were going, He walked ahead as if He were going on. But they urged Him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, and He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:13-32).

The two disciples on their walk to Emmaus, after all the events of the Cross, had known You and loved You. But in their grief and sorrow and disappointment, they couldn’t see You. They “had hoped” that You were the Messiah, but now they thought all their hopes and dreams were shattered (v. 21). They had even heard stories of Your resurrection, but they were still “slow of heart to believe” (v. 22-25). Even when You came alongside them, they couldn’t sense that it was You, they couldn’t recognize Your voice, even though they had had such a personal relationship with You.

That may be a picture of many of us at times along our journey of faith. We know You, we have a real and personal relationship with You, we know the stories of Your resurrection; but at the same time, down deep inside, we still find ourselves “slow of heart to believe.” When our dreams and hopes are shattered, when we find our prayers unanswered, when we find ourselves in those times of grief and sorrow and disappointment, we find it hard to see You and hear You and even recognize and remember that You are with us—that You’re with us “always,” just like You promised (Matthew 28:24), that Your sheep “hear (Your) voice,” just like You said (John 10:3).

But even in those times—maybe even especially in those times—You come near and go with us (Luke 24:15). You come in and dine with us in the communion of our hearts if we’ll invite You in to come abide with us, as we keep choosing to abide in You (v. 29). Just as You did with those two discouraged disciples who desperately needed an encounter with You, You’re always ready to come in and commune with all who would “urge (You) strongly” to come and stay (v. 29). 

In the breaking of the bread with them, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized (You)” (v. 30-31). In the breaking of the Bread of the Word of God with them, “(You) interpreted to them the things about (Yourself) in all the Scriptures” (v. 27). Then their hearts burned within them with fresh fire and fresh faith, in renewed hope and awakening excitement, from their personal encounter in Your Presence with Your Word (v. 32).

Thank You for walking with me on my journey with You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for opening up the Word of God to me, for revealing Yourself in Your Scriptures to me, “beginning with Moses and all the prophets” (v. 27). Thank You for coming to abide within me, for opening the eyes of my heart to see You, for making me more and more sensitive in my spirit to hear You voice in my heart. Thank You for the grace and faith to believe in my heart from my personal encounters in Your Presence with Your Word and by Your Spirit that “the Lord has risen indeed!” (v. 34) And thank You that every day You want to arise in me! Thank You that all this is part of the resurrection lifestyle You have for me and all who seek to embrace You and journey with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.