Does God Keep His Word?

Walking in the Truth

Today's scripture

Now that same day two [believers] were going to a village called Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked & discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up & walked along with them, but they were kept from recognizing Him. He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, * asked him 'Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?' 'What things?' He asked. 'About Jesus of Nazareth,' they replied. 'He was a prophet, powerful in word & deed before God & all the people.'"  Luke 24:13-19

Today's devotional thoughts

Here's the quick context. If you're familiar with the entire Easter narrative, it might stir a memory. [SEE Luke 24:13-35 for the entire account.] 

It is Easter Sunday. These two men are walking back from Jerusalem to their hometown of Emmaus. They're talking about the events of the last three days. Those events, of course, included Jesus' death on the cross, which has left them--and not just them--profoundly shaken. More than likely, they had witnessed first-hard his bloody, tortured body, hanging limp & dead on the Roman tool of execution.

You might say they were a little disheartened.

A man suddenly appears alongside of them. We have the benefit of knowing that it's Jesus. They don't [at least not yet]. He asks what they are talking about, and they cannot believe that He doesn't know about the momentous events that took place in Jerusalem over the past few days. [He knows. So do you & I, but we have an unfair advantage.]

He asks questions, and they describe what they've seen. They had thought that Jesus of Nazareth "was a prophet because He was "powerful in word AND deed before God & all the people." (v. 19) And now He is dead. 

Point to be made? Our word means something when our deeds back it up.

What's not included in today's text is that they go on to express their disappointment. They thought Jesus of Nazareth might be the Messiah--the Chosen one--but their hopes were dashed when He was crucified, died, & buried. The question that is troubling them?

Was His death His final deed? Jesus' death certainly dashes any hope that He is the Savior sent to deliver His people from their sins . . . 

But wait! There's more . . . 

Today's prayer thought

Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide Your reading of the Bible, which is the only source of Truth that can be trusted. God's Truth never fails.

* I've wondered why Cleopas is identified by name, but the other disciple is not. Possibilities? (But only conjectures.)

• The other disciple's name has been lost in time.
• Cleopas' name is identified, because He is still alive when Luke writes his Gospel. He can still be sought out as a first-hand witness to the events Luke is describing. Even if he is not alive, his name may be well-known, so Luke "drops his name" because it still carries weight.
• Cleopas may be dead. The other disciple may be alive, but his identity must be kept secret because of persecution.