Supper forgotten…left to grow cold… the two from Emmaus flew, on winged feet, back to Jerusalem, back to the frightened disciples cowering behind a locked door…their gloom and misery forgotten as they retraced their steps to the city where their Master had been crucified. 

“They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”

What a story they had to tell! The disciples listened to their incredulous tale…skeptical, with dull ears, still afraid in their unbelief. It all sounded just too good to be true. Not even the glimpse of the wounds in His hands could convinced these men that the report they were hearing was the truth. 

“While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.”

At that very moment, at the height of their spiritual darkness, something happened…as if Jesus Himself, invisible and listening to their conversation, stepped out of heaven into their sight…to confirm their story. The disciples were shocked…scared out of their wits…their unbelief so powerful that they had only one thought…a ghost! 

Did they really believe in ghosts? It seems so because, once before, when Jesus came to them on the stormy lake, the disciples thought He was a ghost. Really! Did Jesus make a habit of turning into a ghost in a crisis?  How foolish they had become at the height of fear!

What would convince these confused men that the stories they were hearing were true? First Peter, then these two from Emmaus, were telling them the same thing! It sounded so far-fetched that it could not possibly be true until…

“…Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Finally…it was true! The fairy tales of resurrection melted into reality before their very eyes.  

“When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭40‬-‭43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Not only did the skeptics hear His greeting of peace, not only did they see the gaping holes in His hands and feet, but He also did something no ghost could do…He ate real food in front of them. That clinched it. Jesus was alive, real!

Relief…amazement…joy flooded their souls. Everything He had ever told them, over and over again, about death…about rising again…about laying down and taking up His life…words that had bounced off their ears… were true after all. Their beloved Master was back…never to die again!

This is much more than a narrative…a legend invented out of unbelievable events. This is eyewitness truth. Some of the greatest legal minds, using all the  facts, evidence l, and logic they could muster, not disprove this report. 

Many thousands, especially among sworn enemies, have seen the risen Jesus, have held conversations with Him…and have turned from their unbelief to fervent faith, despite losing everything….parents, family, home, and community, just as Jesus had warned… They have found Him to be more precious, more convincing, more satisfying than everything they had lost.   

Yes! It is true! Jesus is alive!

To be continued…