On the road to Emmaus, Jesus interpreted for his discouraged followers “the things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets.” As he broke and blessed bread for them, they recognized him in a flash of insight and memory. His transformed body disappeared, but they joyfully realized that their hearts were “on fire” as Jesus made the Bible clear.

• Scholar William Barclay said this story “tells us of the ability of Jesus to make sense of things… Jesus came and talked with them, and the meaning of life became clear and the darkness became light… It is only in Jesus that, even in the bewildering times, we learn what life means.” Can you recall any “aha!” moments when something painful and puzzling suddenly made more sense in the light of Jesus’ love and grace?
• The two disciples on the road may well have been husband and wife (cf. John 19:25; “Clopas” and “Cleopas” were probably the same person). Verse 29 says they urged their unrecognized companion to stay with them. If they hadn’t, they’d have missed the awesome moment when they knew he was Jesus. How urgent are you, individually and as a family, about inviting Jesus into your life? How have you learned to recognize his presence in the midst of everyday life?