Jesus’ vindication involves the exercise of God’s power bringing him to life in a new, glorified state. After the discovery of the empty tomb, Luke narrates the conversation with the Emmaus-bound disciples. Then follows the Gospel’s closing scene, where Jesus visits the disciples.
A key feature of this section is the note of surprise among the disciples that Jesus is raised. Among the women, the disciples and the Emmaus travelers there is no hint that resurrection was anticipated. Such surprise is important, because it shows that even Jesus’ own followers had to be convinced of his resurrection. Their surprise itself might seem strange, given Jesus’ predictions of his resurrection as early as 9:22. But as late as 18:34, it is clear that the disciples never grasped the point of what Jesus was promising.
This meeting occurs as two disciples journey to Emmaus. The recent events have given them plenty to discuss, just as a major political event does among us today. In fact, the text portrays their discussion as rather intense. As they journey, a man joins them. Now Luke cleverly notes that it is Jesus, but he also mentions that the men cannot recognize him as Jesus. Jesus is not being cruel here, but his gradual revelation of himself allows them to learn certain lessons about trusting God’s promises. The disciples had been told about these events many times, but they cannot conceive how they could come to pass. The gradual revelation drives the point home vividly and calls on them to remember God’s Word while trusting that what he says will come to pass. As we remember God’s promise, we should rest in it. In all of these encounters, God shows himself to be in total control (note also v. 31).
So Jesus asks the two men about their conversation. Reviewing the story of Jesus of Nazareth, they refer to him as a prophet, a popular conception of who Jesus was. This Jesus was powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. But the leadership, chief priests and rulers, handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. The disciples’ hope had been different: “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” For them, Jesus’ death had spelled a seeming end to that hope.
It is in the intimacy of fellowship that Jesus is recognized. This setting is no mistake; it is a major Lukan theme. Many of the resurrection appearances he describes are associated with table fellowship (Lk 24:41-43; Acts 1:4; 10:41; also Jn 21:9-15). As Jesus sits at the table, takes the bread, blesses it, breaks it and gives it to them, their eyes were opened. After his recognition by the disciples, Jesus disappears. That Jesus is alive is all the disciples need to understand. They can now appreciate that he is with them. All of a sudden the entire discussion on the road makes sense. Like a lost key found or a huge mystery solved, the direction of recent events becomes clear and the way to understand life anew is opened up. Because of this new awareness, the disciples recall their recent scriptural review in a new light: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Their words point to how emotional the exposition had been for them, like a message being sown into the soul.
With a flame relit in their hearts, they return to the gathering of disciples in Jerusalem. The news is too good to keep to themselves. To know Jesus is to be thrilled at the prospect of sharing news of him with others.