In our small group (20 somethings...yea, I am the old guy), we are studying the book of Acts along with the sermon series. Actually, we are looking at various stories/scripture that go along with where we are in the series. This past week, we looked at the story of the two guys on their way to Emmaus. I love this story! It may be one of my favorite stories.
We had a great discussion over the dynamics in the story. I thought that I would post a blog about some of the things we noticed. You may want to read the story to supplement your study of Acts.
The story takes place on Easter Sunday (yea, the first one) later in the day. These guys are on walking on a 7 mile or so walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They are bummed out because of all that happened to Jesus. They had big plans for Jesus and now he was gone. Jesus appears to them while they are walking, but they don’t recognize him. Luke tells us “they were kept from recognizing him --Luke 24:16 NIV”
They were downcast, discouraged, and confused to say the least. They had heard the story of the women going to the tomb, but were not sure they believed it. Then (I love this verse) Jesus rebukes them for not believing. But he doesn't stop there, he fills them in on the big picture.

He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (27) 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 NIV

Wouldn't you love to hear the audio recording of this conversation. He explains the way that he had fulfilled all of the scriptures. But, remember, they don’t know who he is, so I guess he is referring to himself in the third person.
The fact that Jesus taught them for forty days after the crucifixion and resurrection is something that many of us overlook. The early church had these teachings of Jesus. Much of what they would say in the coming years would be birthed from this teaching. Look at Peter’s sermon in Acts 2. He refers to OT passages. It was understood that what was happening was part of a story that began a long time before they were born.
The story continues on with Jesus revealing himself to them as they are breaking bread over dinner. Then he disappears like some sort of science fiction movie. The way in which these guys reflect on Jesus teaching cause me to yearn to know exactly what he said. They said,

Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? --Luke 24:32 NIV

What a powerful image! Hearts burning with the teaching of Scripture. May the power of God’s Word burn within us as we continue in this series.