Jesus revealed himself in various ways that first Easter morning. Here is a story about two of the 70 disciples as they were heading home from Jerusalem. A “stranger” joined them and walked with them. He saw their sorrow. They didn’t recognize him until he broke bread with them.
Luke 24: 33And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
It’s difficult for us to understand why it was hard for his own followers to recognize Jesus. Mary Magdalene thought he was the gardener. He revealed himself when he spoke her name. As the women ran to tell the others the news Jesus met them in the way; they knew him. These two Emmaus disciples were taking the eight-mile walk to their home. As part of the 70, who followed him for three years and saw many miracles, you would think they would quickly recognize him, but they didn’t.
Saturday was a dark day for the followers of Jesus. He was dead. A stone was over the tomb. For some reason they let his teachings die with him as if they were sealed in the tomb with him. The promises he made were as good on Saturday as they were on Friday yet they couldn’t see it. How often is the Lord so near to us yet we too fail to recognize and remember him? That’s another reason he instituted the Last Supper. Whatever comes or goes, we won’t visibly see Jesus. We may not feel him with our senses. However, Jesus wanted us to know we are never alone. He suffered the aloneness and bore our sin on the cross.
It should stir our minds that Jesus walks with us each day. The feet nailed to the cross walked the road to Emmaus. He did it to be with those two who were so down. They heard the news but had not seen Jesus. It was happening, and they didn’t know it. Lots of things happen to us that we never recognize the hand of the Lord in the picture. The Lord steers us in our decisions sometimes when we don’t even realize it. The fact is that Jesus is there whether we realize or not, sometimes whether we want it or not.
Through the shedding of his blood and the breaking of his body Jesus gave himself completely. This is shown to us in the bread and cup. He is never silent; we have to be willing to listen. We have a High Priest who is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. We have a faithful Savior. This is why we take communion—to remember what Jesus did for us, to remember who he is, to remember he is raised from the dead.
Jesus went into the house with the two men to eat. He gave thanks, and when he broke the bread they realized who he was. This opened their eyes. Only Jesus can break the bread; only his body could be broken for us. It was the only way to satisfy God. Many times we think he’s not here, but keep trusting. He is ever present.
After supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. The motive for this act was love. He told them that by our love others will know that we’re his disciples. Jesus was willing to break bread and pass the cup. That’s why we do it. We should be thankful for the privilege that comes with the Lord’s Supper.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 