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MISSION TO EMMAUS

The Biblical account in the Gospels, when the two disciples of Jesus were travelling to the village of Emmaus, is one of the most inspiring stories in Scripture. It is also filled with veiled meaning, and symbolism which reveals profound Spiritual truth. Most believers know the story is set on the road to Emmaus, as the fires of salvation which had enveloped the disciples were faltering, and were in peril of being extinguished.  

After all, the one who had inspired the belief the Saviour had come to establish the Kingdom of God had Himself been murdered, His followers were still in shock, and they were all on the edge of despair. As two followers of Jesus walked to the village of Emmaus on the edge of Jerusalem, they were sharing their despondency when they were joined by a third – an individual who looked strangely familiar, yet they did not recognize it was the risen LORD.  

“And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden [held back] that they should not know him” (Luke 24:15,16). 

Here is yet another version of the classic pattern which occurs literally hundreds of times in Scripture, where the two represent the finite, or those in the “valley of decision” (Joel 3:14), while the third, represents the righteous component which is translated into the infinite Kingdom of God:

“…in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zechariah 13:8,9). 

In the present instance, we see two created beings – the two disciples who are immersed in their present situation concerning what they will do now that Jesus has been crucified -- and the third character in the story, which is the eternal God Himself.  

Once we realize the single source of salvation is Jesus, and He is regularly juxtaposed against a duality which manifests the finite, or the two parts which are not God, we may begin to see the LORD is telling us something which is foundational concerning the nature of all creation.  

A Consistent Symbolism

The identical imagery is found when Jesus, the eternal God, is crucified between two created beings – thieves in the text. Or, in yet another manifestation of the same cycle, when the glory of God is unleashed for just a moment at His transfiguration, we see Him flanked by two created beings – Moses and Elijah: 

“…and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so that no fuller [clothing preparer] can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus” (Mark 9:2-4).  

A sharp contrast is always seen between the “two parts” and the “third” part, which is always singular; thus what we call the Triuniverse is an ongoing study in these quarters. The fact that Jesus is

“…the way, the truth, and the life [and] no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” (John 14:6) 

is not only exclusive, it is singular in a way which is downright astonishing. Thus, the “two parts cut off” provides a definitive differentiation to the one way which leads to the throne of glory – and that “strait gate” (Luke 13:24) is exceedingly narrow, to say nothing of unique. But there is far more going on, as we move out into the deep end of these Spiritual waters.  

The triuniversal pattern of two parts cut off is studied in some detail in the recent book, which carries the twice-speak laden title of Lord, Lord. Drawn from the well known account where the “many” come to the LORD certain of their salvation, but are left in shock when they find their discernment was so completely non-existent that they are reduced to arguing “but Lord, Lord,” we now know there are even two parts to that ominous account.  

Once again, here we find the precise formula of two parts cut off, as there are actually two groups rejected. The first says Lord, Lord, did we not _____ (fill in the blank),  

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21).

We note the second group, the ones to whom Jesus says I know you not “whence” ye are, attempts to initiate a dialogue with Jesus, to justify their position, as though they have a relationship with Him, but  

“…he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” (Luke 13:25).  

In other words, they have no relationship with Him. Remember, the old English whence is where, and because he does not say, I never knew you in this rendition of events, this second group is the religious crowd which has had some degree of interaction with the LORD, but they have positioned themselves in a place where He cannot know them.  

Conversations Leading To Consensus 

Back on the Emmaus Road, before the resurrected Jesus re-enters the picture, as the two disciples “reasoned” over their circumstances, they would have discussed the ramifications of the death of Jesus. It is “reasonable” to assume that, once a man is thoroughly dead, through the gruesome process of crucifixion, he won’t be around anymore to teach or lead them.  

Thus, the topic of just what they, and the other disciples were going to do in the absence of Jesus, would have come up, and suggestions as to an appropriate course of action would certainly have begun to emerge.  

Indeed, if the two used this same reasoning process to discuss the rumor going around that Elijah and Moses had actually appeared with Jesus, it was reasonable to assume those who made that claim must have been mistaken – for Elijah and Moses had been gone for many centuries at that point in time – and now Jesus Himself was gone.  

The point is, the process known as the Dialogue to Consensus will invariably conclude in a synthesis of the various opinions brought forth by the two parties to the dialogue – and in the absence of the knowledge of the absolute fact that Jesus had risen from the dead, every outcome would be based upon the consensus of those participating in the dialogue.  

In this process of inaugurating a discussion and reasoning among themselves (as the Scriptures tell us these two Disciples were doing), they were, in effect, evaluating their environment, and discussing what they should do next.

Most believers today function in the same mode as the two bound for Emmaus, but they live and breathe in the place in time before the LORD moves in to re-spark the Spirit which He had generated among His disciples in the first place.

God Is

There is no consensus with God, there is only fact. A fact is a two edged sword which severs relationships not founded on the absolute truth. This is why Jesus said He came not to bring peace, but a sword – a cutting edge absolute truth that will sever relationships: 

“For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law” (Matthew 10:35). 

In some cases, both parties in the relationship turn to Him, and total victory is seen. In others, the prophetic pair represents the rejection by both. Invariably, the third are those in whom the LORD dwells in unity, whereas the principalities which oppose us are double-minded.  

In the two thieves on the cross episode, only one repents, and is drawn into glory. In the story of the two blind men to whom Jesus restores their vision, they both follow Him, and give God the glory. The repentant thief is now one with Christ, and the two formerly blind men are also united as one with Christ. 

In this regard, as Christ prayed to the Father on behalf of all who believe in Him, the LORD repeatedly spoke of unity within Him: 

“…the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one…” (John 17:22). 

In the present look at Christ’s Mission to Emmaus, we see the LORD is drawing men and women to Himself from the two-fold finite fallen creation which is not God. It is startling for those unaware of this concept to realize the Triuniverse construct, because it invariably challenges cherished beliefs. 

Similarly, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus have just had their beliefs shattered, so they are reasoning what the death of Jesus will mean to them, and the text specifically tells us they had no expectation of His resurrection. Indeed, the verse tells us they were very sad, as the incognito Christ joins them on their journey:

“What manner of communications are these that ye have one with another, as ye walk, and are sad?” (Luke 24:17). 

Now we see the gentle Jesus once again, as He delicately asserts the facts to these two – His loving disciples who are in such a sad state. That Jesus does not desire to shock them with an abrupt, triumphal arrival is evident, as He carefully speaks to them of how the prophets foretold of His resurrection – an event which would also require His death.  

The fact that Christ moves slowly in re-initializing the light of the Gospel during His Mission to Emmaus is underscored later when He appears to the eleven disciples, for there we see they are quaking in fear, as though they had seen a ghost: 

“…they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit” (Luke 24:37). 

Thus, back on the road with the two, Jesus slowly draws them out with a feigned ignorance – and they begin to regain their Spiritual fortitude as they witnessed to this stranger all about Jesus of Nazareth, and the events which had just transpired: 

“And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him” (Luke 24:19,20). 

One can almost sense the animation, and the enthusiasm returning to the despondent duo as they recounted the amazing phenomena of Jesus, and how He sparked such a fire in so many people. Many have experienced the phenomena when more than one person get so excited on certain subjects, that they both try to talk at the same time. In such cases the intensity rises as each chimes in on the other’s statements -- so these two, who were brought back to life by just talking about Jesus, must have begun to speak faster and louder with each word:

“Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished who were early at the sepulcher; and when they found not his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.”  

“And certain of those who were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even as the women had said; but him they saw not” (Luke 24:24). 

The Re-Ignition 

On hearing this indecisive rendition of the events concerning His resurrection, the first words from Jesus reproved the two disciples for their lack of faith – and this correction was pointedly tied to the words of the prophets in the Scriptures:  

“Then he said unto them O [foolish ones], and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?” (Luke 24:25,26). 

Jesus, as the “Third Part” (Zechariah 13:9) seeking to resurrect the faith of the other two, immediately pointed to the fact the prophets described all of these things, so the fact that they had not actually seen the risen LORD should have been secondary to their faith in the absolute Word of God.  

This statement clearly shows the LORD wanted the faith of His disciples to be rooted in the fact the Scriptures can always be trusted – as opposed to the physical proof that men seek via signs and wonders. He then immediately moved to expound on how the Scriptures predicted that Christ would rise again – and even though they were hesitant to declare with certainty that the LORD had indeed risen, their faith in the absolute truth found in the words of the prophets should have convinced them that Christ would indeed rise from the dead.  

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). 

This is significant as well, for the fact that Jesus did not simply reveal Himself first, and then provide the duo with a rehearsal of the various prophet’s words concerning the Saviour, addresses how the LORD tells us those who exhibit faith in Him without having been an eyewitness to His resurrection are to be considered blessed: 

“Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). 

The Proof Of Prophecy 

This order of things also anticipates the Holy Spirit’s instruction through the Apostle Peter, who tells us the things which we see with our own eyes are not as trustworthy as the fact that Jesus Christ fulfilled all the predictions of the prophets concerning the coming of the redeemer: 

“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We have also a more sure word of prophecy….” (II Peter 1:16,19). 

With these words Peter follows the pattern set by Jesus, in His Mission to Emmaus, when He told the two disciples they should have known Christ would suffer and die, and then be resurrected, seeing that is what the prophets said would happen: 

“Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory… [seeing that is what] …all the prophets have spoken?” (Luke 24:26,25). 

As Jesus, the only begotten Son of God continues to revive His disciples through His words, and they arrive at their destination, we see the two men petition Him to stay with them – yet another indicator they are responding to the life and the power emanating out of Jesus – whom they still do not recognize.

 When reading through the veil of the physical, and viewing the Spiritual power pouring out of the single person in this wonderful triad of souls, we see the literal phrasing of their interaction takes on an even deeper dimension. For example, as the LORD feigns as though He were going further on down the road, they ask Him to stay with them:

 “But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us….” (Luke 24:29).

It is as though the two had recognized they were in a time of their own Spiritual darkness, but have come to Christ again, and asked Him into their hearts to be their Saviour – and with this request, the two are fulfilling Christ’s earlier instruction that believers must abide in Him in order to experience His life:  

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (John 15:4).

 And yet, even as the “stranger” agreed to stay with the two for a time in Emmaus, still they did not know Him. The Scriptures eloquently tell us it was when Jesus sat down and broke bread with them that their eyes were opened: 

“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight” (Luke 24:30,31). 

The Words Of Life

 Although many still resist the concept of prophetic metaphor, it is everywhere in the Scriptures, so it is a foolish pursuit to refuse to recognize how the LORD speaks to us with Words of life which are under the surface text. In this last verse, we see the beautiful word-picture of a pair of individuals, who received the Spirit of Christ as it was given to them, their Spiritual eyes were opened, and they knew Christ as a result: 

“…And their eyes were opened, and they knew him” (Luke 24:30).

 In the case of the two who have just passed from the finite into the life of the third, we see a magnificent move of God in the eternal realm. The Scriptures never miss a beat, for they link this transition with the words which connect the two with the solitary source of Salvation – JESUS.  

“And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32). 

This is actually amazing, for the text references the fire of God which has been rekindled within the two who were in such Spiritual disarray. In fact, the unending joy found in the realization that God has truly redeemed us never ceases in its exhilarating detail, for if you look closely at the verse, you’ll see the word heart is singular – as the two disciples of Jesus now have one heart, and it is the heart of the Holy One: 

“Did not our heart burn within us?” (Luke 24:32).

 This transition, in which the two disciples are now one with the “third,” brings about the unity Jesus repeatedly referenced. The metaphors continue, as the text tells us the two disciples were now risen from the dead: 

“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them” (Luke 24:33). 

As they “rose up” in the Spiritual realm, they “returned” to their place in New Jerusalem, which is the eternal state of the believer:  

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 3:12;21:2). 

As we all know, the two who had been joined with Christ after His Mission to Emmaus, immediately ran back to Jerusalem, to transmit the message from Emmaus. And just as they all shared the Good News that Christ was indeed risen from the dead, He appeared in their midst: 

“And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (Luke 24:36).  

In this we see the singular, divine nature of God, which was planted in each of the disciple’s hearts, and with Christ in their “midst,” we see a oneness which is incomprehensible.  

And as a point of fact, as each of the disciples continued on their missions to minister the one truth of Christ to the various nations, the pattern continued with the two finite parts, encountering the only begotten Son of God in them -– and when we truly receive Him, we become one with the Spiritually constituted, singular body of Christ.

 

-- James Lloyd

 

To Be Continued