Note- The “Road to Emmaus” here refers to a stained glass window at St. George’s Episcopal, Fredericksburg based on the Luke Gospel reading
Inscription: None
Maker/Date: Tiffany Studios, New York, 1912
Description – The story of this window is from Luke, chapter 24, verses 13 to 35.
Jesus Christ rises from the dead (before dawn) and makes five appearances on the day of His rising. This window represents #3 below:
1 To Mary Magdalene [given a message to the disciples]
2 To the other women who come to the tomb [intending to complete the burial preparation of His body]
3. To two disciples on the Road to Emmaus
4. To Simon Peter [nowhere recorded, but alluded to in Luke 24:33 and 1 Corinthians 1:5]
5. To the astonished disciples [Thomas is absent]
There are a number of unknowns – Emmaus cannot be found on any map though only 7 miles from Jerusalem. The concept of a road was a common metaphor at the time – The early Christians were called “people of the way.” The Road to Emmaus may have been an actual physical road or only a spiritual road
In the image, Cleopas and an unnamed companion encounter the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem
There are two companions – we don’t know the name of one and Cleopas the other one is only mentioned in the Good Friday reading of the Gospel of John. One of the key parts of the story is that the two companions were not apostles, not part of the inner circle. Just everyday people. In all of the other resurrection experiences, Jesus appears to the group around Jesus.
Two unknowns going to an unknown place. The reason they are going is not disclosed. Are they ending Passover and simply returning after the event in a normal fashion or they are fleeing a desperate situation in Jerusalem?
The look of incredulity and awe on the faces of the men stands in contrast to the dignity and still expression of Christ.
The men are shocked that anyone could have been in Jerusalem and not known of the events that have happened there.
“Abide with us,” they ask the unrecognized stranger, “for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” ]
It was not until they offered Him hospitality and He blessed and broke the bread that they recognized Him. He soon disappeared.
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.”
Luke 24 is often seen as a model of the journey that Jesus makes with us today. He opens our eyes, points us to the Word, and reveals Himself along life’s walk as the resurrected Savior and Lord. One of the things the story teaches is that Jesus cares for your hopes and your dreams.
