Luke 24:30-35: a reflection

30When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. 31Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. 32They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” 33They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, 34saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Two disciples, walking to Emmaus in grief and confusion after the crucifixion, are joined by the risen Jesus, though they do not recognize him. As they walk, he opens the Scriptures to them, explaining how they pointed to the Christ. And when they sit to eat and he takes bread, blesses, and breaks it, suddenly their eyes are opened and they recognize him, and he vanishes. Looking back, they say to each other: Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road, and opened the Scriptures to us?

Notice how the risen Christ made himself known: through the opening of the Scriptures, and in the breaking of bread. As he explained the Scriptures, their hearts burned within them, though they did not yet know why; there was a warmth, a stirring, as the word was opened to them. And in the breaking of bread, at the shared table, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. Christ made himself known to them through his word and at the table of fellowship.

That is often how the risen Christ still makes himself known to us: through his word and in fellowship. As the Scriptures are opened to us, our hearts can burn within us, stirred by the presence of Christ in his word, even when we do not fully recognize it. And in the fellowship of his people, at his table, our eyes can be opened to know him. Seek the risen Christ, then, where he makes himself known: in his word, prayerfully opened, and in the fellowship of his people. Let your heart burn as the Scriptures are opened, and look to know him in the breaking of bread. The risen Christ is near, making himself known through his word and at his table; seek him there.

Lord Jesus, on the road to Emmaus you opened the Scriptures to the grieving disciples until their hearts burned within them, and you were recognized in the breaking of bread. Make yourself known to me the same way, through your word and in fellowship. As the Scriptures are opened to me, let my heart burn within me, stirred by your presence in your word, even when I do not fully recognize it. And in the fellowship of your people, at your table, open my eyes to know you. Help me seek you where you make yourself known: in your word, prayerfully opened, and in the company of your people. Let my heart burn as I hear your word, and let me recognize you in the breaking of bread. Risen Lord, be known to me through your word and at your table.