The problem with Emmaus
Three questions
• Where was the first appearance of the Risen Lord?
• To whom did he appear?
• How many times in the New Testament is it recorded that Jesus appeared to
people before his Ascension?
This story, only in Luke’s gospel, (with a passing mention in Mark) is beautifully crafted.
Brendan Byrne, the Jesuit theologian, calls it “Luke’s masterpiece” because of how it
combines its own simple story with so many others; with one story nesting inside
another like a Russian matryoshka doll.
In the story there are no crowds, no temple or priests. It is a quiet rural walk that shows
that the extraordinary can be revealed in the ordinary. We do not need massive revival
moments for faith to surface.
I want to look at the walk from
1. The place

Emmaus is mentioned just this once – in Luke’s gospel. But where is this place?
Archaeological evidence is sparse. Josephus mentions the story, but it is so similar
to Luke’s story that its authenticity, by a Jewish author, is questioned.
There are nine possible sites – all to the west of Jerusalem. We can discount
nearly all of them as they were established just before or during the Crusader
period of around 1200 CE.
The 6 stadia is the problem, for some ancient texts say 160 stadia. Now a Stadia
equals about 11 km. Was it an accurate statement of distance, or was it a general
phrase of a few hours walk. In my younger days I did quite a bit of outback travel.
On enquiring about a certain destination I might be told ‘just up the track’, or a
‘couple of miles’. So, after maybe 10 or 15 miles you would come across your
destination. Was the writer of Luke stating a fact or a common phrase to
approximate time and distance. I’ll leave it to you.
But there is also claims being made for el-Qubeiheil which was known as the
Emmaus church in Crusader times.
In a sense none of the sites is a perfect match for the story in Luke.
2. The Walk
This Resurrection story in Luke is the longest single narrative about the
Resurrection. There are two people walking away from Jerusalem. The text says
they were talking – the Greek word explains they were reasoning or debating

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Jesus’s death and how and why it happened. They were disciples, but not in the
inner, intimate group; but they knew them well enough to know where to find
them when they got back to Jerusalem. But they were sad and despondent. And
when Jesus asks what they were discussing Cleopas gives a fairly sharp response –
‘“Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have
taken place there in these days?” But Jesus remains neutral
The spiritual power of Jesus to appear casually without scaring the disciples, and
then to join in the conversation. He is not recognised – they were prevented from
seeing him. Jesus corrects their misinterpretation of the events of the past few
days. He listens to their concerns and teaches them of the prophecies and how to
interpret scripture. Still, they had no idea of his identity.
Now, they were heading for Emmaus. But when they stopped, were they at
Emmaus or a place on the way where they were resting before continuing the
journey to what is now Emmaus-Nicopolos. The couple were so engrossed that
they invited Jesus to stay with them. Was it a home or an inn? We don’t know.
Now there is a big debate amongst scholars and commentators as to whether the
breaking of the bread was an ordinary meal or a eucharistic meal. That’s a
deviation that is beyond the time we have – so, I’ll just say: think about. The
contrast is this: We certainly meet Jesus
in the breaking of the bread in the sacrament, but do we not also meet Jesus in
the ordinariness of life as we have a meal and fellowship.
Now, here’s a couple of questions. If Emmaus-Nicopolis is the Biblical Emmaus, is
the distance too far for the 2 disciples to return to Jerusalem. And compound that
question with the statement in Luke that it was towards evening. Will walking 30
plus km in a day was not untoward for Middle eastern people. And evening in
Biblical times was not dusk, but the time beyond the middle of the day.
There are times when our hearts ‘burn within us’, and we gain a glimpse of the
‘otherside’ – the spiritual dimension of our faith. This experience lead Cleopas and
friend to immediately return to Jerusalem and seek out the Apostles to share what
Jesus had taught them.
3. The Ministry
Now all of that is fascinating. But to me, the main message out of this narrative is
the example of ministry, with two parts.
Firstly, if we study the ways that Jesus Christ was able to open the spiritual eyes
and minds of these two disciples as he walked with them, we may be able to
correct our mistaken expectations of meeting Jesus.
Notice that Jesus asked what was troubling the couple. Then he listened to their
story and then told the story of faith to set them straight in their thinking.
Although Jesus called them foolish for not believing the word of the prophets,

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how foolish is this modern generation who think that the Bible stories are fairy
tales, and live but for the advertised luxury as a prefix to everything – houses,
holidays, clothing, cars etc.
Think about Mary’s interaction with the Risen Lord. She turned and “saw Jesus
standing, and knew not that it was Jesus”, demonstrating that there is a difference
between physically “seeing” Jesus and spiritually “knowing” Jesus (John 20:14).
And she does not seem to really comprehend the Risen Jesus as she calls him
‘Teacher; and has to be reminded he is not just her teacher anymore – but is the
Risen Christ.
Our society, and more so the US society, works on the premise that the more
important one is, the wealthier one is – then one has the right to be important –
to hold views that people should follow and have precedence in opinion and
strategy. Asset ownership gives control over people (just think of the enormous
extent of slave labour in this country). Wealth and power are the defining criteria
for being heard, for controlling decisions in industry and politics.
Everyone needs to listen before offering opinions and solutions – as did Jesus. But
here’s the problem. Too often we load God with our petty grievances, our fears
and doubts; continuing to belly-ache about our hurts and fears and doubts. That’s
not what Emmaus if about. It’s really about listening to Jesus, through Scripture
and prayer and being aware that this can be a heart-warming experience. A two
way discussion can heal wounds.
Secondly, there was the hospitality element of the meeting. The two disciples
shared an invitation with and recognised him when he broke the bread. After
Jesus left the table they recollected that their hearts were burning within them as
they heard the story from Jesus. And then they go back to Jerusalem to relate the
story to the other disciples and a personal event becomes a community
experience. That’s life with Christ – we take our faith story and share it: not
forceful but in wonderment with hearts burning. Have you felt that way recently?
Or have you been dragged down by the war-mongers, economic nihilists, climate
deniers and other purveyors of doom?
Sharing time and conversation and sharing food are the true elements of
contemporary discipleship – just as they were on that road to Emmaus.
But Jesus walks with us even when we don’t recognize Him. He is patient. He
listens. He teaches. And at the right time, He reveals Himself.
Maybe the story is a metaphor for the church – it is in fellowship and sharing that
we experience the real presence of Jesus. [Ruth’s invitation]
Have you felt a time recently when Jesus has walked with you?