Shattered Sojourners

Strolling with a Stranger

Reading: Luke 24:13–35

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

Two weary travelers walk away from Jerusalem, burdened by grief, confusion, and the collapse of their hopes. A stranger joins them on the road to Emmaus. Gently, He invites them to speak of their sorrow. They recount the crucifixion, the empty tomb, and their disbelief in what now seems like impossible hope—resurrection.

This stranger, of course, is Jesus Himself. Yet He holds back His identity and instead opens the Scriptures to them. We wonder: which passages did He share? Could He have spoken of the Messiah born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), descended from David (2 Samuel 7:12–16), the one who would suffer as the servant in Isaiah 53? Did He quote Psalm 2, where God says of the Messiah, “You are my Son”? Or Psalm 16, declaring the Holy One would not see decay?

Perhaps He reminded them of the promise: “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand…” (Psalm 110:1), the very verse He used to silence the Pharisees in Matthew 22. Surely, He pointed to the hope of resurrection (Acts 2:25–31), the reason David rejoiced—because God would not abandon His soul to the grave.

As Jesus speaks, their hearts begin to burn. His words are not just explanations—they are life, light, and truth. When He breaks the bread, their eyes are opened. Jesus vanishes, but His presence remains. They rush back to Jerusalem, their despair transformed into joy.

We too walk roads of sorrow, disappointment, and doubt. Yet the Risen Christ draws near. Often, we don’t recognize Him at first. But as He opens Scripture to us and breaks bread with us, our hearts burn with holy fire. Though we may feel shattered, His presence restores us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, we praise You for walking beside us even when we cannot see You. In our grief and confusion, open the Scriptures to us, warm our hearts, and reveal Yourself. Stay with us, abide with us, and make our souls burn with resurrection hope. Amen.