The road to Emmaus is one of my favorite Bible passages. I used to have deep, faith-filled conversations with a colleague. Our chats and my curiosity about the faith, helped me seek the Lord in new ways desiring to grow closer to him. Before moving on to a new position, that colleague gave me a print of Luke 24:32 to remind me of the power of our conversations.
As we enter the Easter season, I think this is a great passage to reflect on personally and as lay ministers. While I suggest reading the entire passage of Luke 24:13-35, below you will find some specific verses to consider in your prayer time. Each selection includes some prompting questions for you personally and as a lay minister.
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He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” (Luke 24:17-18)
- For personal reflection: Who has helped me know Jesus? Who or what has helped me believe?
- For ministerial reflection: How do I share the Good News of Jesus? With joy? Doubt? Disbelief? Hope? Why? How is God asking me to share him through my ministry?
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24: 28 – 31)
- For personal reflection: In what parts of my life can I invite Jesus to “stay with” me?
- For ministerial reflection: Where are opportunities in my ministry to invite people to encounter Jesus? In what ways am I helping make those opportunities accessible?
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24: 32-35)
- For personal reflection: How do I know I’ve encountered the Lord? With whom do I want to share the Good News of Jesus? What prevents me from doing so? Who can encourage me?
- For ministerial reflection: How can I help equip and encourage people to share the Good News in their lives? Does my ministry provide space for them to share about their encounters with the Lord?
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May your time with the Lord prompt you to say, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
