Emmaus Road: Walking Enlightened
Scripture Reading — Luke 24:25-27
Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
Two disciples trudge home to Emmaus. As they walk, they discuss together the events of the past few days. They wonder what might have happened if Jesus had not died.
Suddenly Jesus joins them out of nowhere. He blesses them with his presence, and yet for some reason they’re kept from recognizing him. The resurrected Jesus listens to their story as he walks along with them. Then he enlightens them, explaining what the Scriptures have said about him.
He probably explained how the exodus from Egypt pointed to redemption from sin’s slavery and how the many prophets pointed to the Messiah. He likely explained many things that would have opened their eyes to see that the Messiah himself was walking with them. They needed ears to hear, divine interpretation to help them understand, and God-given faith. They still didn’t recognize him—but they soon would.
No one can discover the Savior by themselves; he reveals himself to us. Faith is God’s gift, enabling us to understand the Scriptures, which tell the story of our salvation. So let’s learn all we can from this Word, trusting he will enlighten us as he did our friends on the Emmaus Road. Then we too can recognize our Savior walking with us.
Teach us, O Lord, how to walk our road in life. Forgive our failure to see you, hear you, and learn of you. Give us faith to live for you, we pray. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Norman F. Brown
Chaplain Norman F. Brown graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, in 1969. He served aboard destroyers during the Vietnam conflict and ashore in San Diego, Calif., as an instructor. By then God had made clear his call to work in pastoral ministry, and Norman entered Calvin Theological Seminary, graduating in 1980. Chaplain Brown pastored churches during his ministry career but spent most of his time as a navy chaplain. During one assignment he served three years at Holy Loch, Scotland, where he and his wife, Ruth, encountered the Iona Community and their emphasis on spiritual disciplines. Chaplain and Mrs. Brown have three married children and nine grandchildren.
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