The main plot of the account of the two disciples going to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35) can be stated simply. Two disciples, one named Cleophas and another unnamed, walk away from Jerusalem, the place of salvation. Along the way, Jesus walks with them and converses with them. At one point, he even discusses Scriptures with them. When they reach Emmaus, they sit down for supper and at the breaking of the bread, they recognize the Lord who until that time they knew only as "a resident of Jerusalem". After this they turn back to Jerusalem where they hear from the apostles, the announcement of the Resurrection.
Walking away from salvation.. In Luke, Jerusalem is the place where God accomplishes His saving act. The two disciples move away from it, leaving behind them the dashed hopes of Good Friday and the confusion and consternation of Easter morn. Perhaps they were also afraid like the others that they'd be identified with a rebel and therefore be arrested. They were walking away from a dream that they saw dying on a cross. It was at this point when Jesus joins them in their journey.
And Jesus approached them and walked with them. The Resurrected Christ journeys with his people although they may not recognize him. In the case of these two disciples, He asks them about their present concerns. Since the concern of the disciples was the even of Good Friday, Jesus opens the Scriptures to them, choosing the passages that spoke of the Messiah who suffers and dies, but rises again on the third day.
Carlos Mesters some years ago, pointed out that this section (Luke 24:17-27), gives us a hint about the way the Scriptures should be read. The Scriptures here are used to shed light on the meaning of an event that is of concern to disciples. It is however the Risen Lord who makes known its meaning. Jesus teaching his disciples what the event of the crucifixion meant in the light of the Scriptures is an image of the pilgrim Church listening to the proclamation of the Word.
They recognized him at the breaking of the bread. The meal at Emmaus was characterized by hospitality and a new found friendship with a supposed stranger. When the bread was broken, the disciples recognized the Lord who promptly disappeared "entering their hearts" (C. Mesters). After the proclmation of the Word, the disciples were led to the breaking of the bread, the eucharist, where their eyes are opened to the reality of the Risen Lord. It was also then when they remembered how their hearts were set on fire as they listened to the Scriptures being read to them. This detail is an indication that the reading of the Word and the breaking of the bread are two parts of just one reality: a eucharistic event presided by the Lord.
The disciples return to Jerusalem. The disciples who were walking away from salvation now return to it after their encounter with the Lord. An encounter with the Risen Christ does just that: it turns cowardice into bravery, fear into boldness, sorrow into joy. When the disciples arrive in Jerusalem, however, they first had to listen to the apostles' proclamation of the resurrection: "The Lord is risen!" The faith of the disciples in the Risen Lord had to be completed by the announcement of the apostles. Only after listening to the proclamation can they also tell of their meeting with the Lord on the way to Emmaus.
See also "The Walk To Emmaus" from Bible Notes.
