Lives of Scripture

Cleopas was one of two disciples walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus, about seven miles away, on the very day of Jesus's resurrection, discussing in confusion and grief everything that had just happened (Luke 24:13-14). A stranger joined them and asked what they were discussing; Cleopas, surprised he seemed not to know, summarized the crucifixion and the strange report from the women that morning of an empty tomb and angels declaring Jesus alive (24:15-24). The stranger -- Jesus Himself, though "their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him" -- rebuked their slowness to believe the prophets and "beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures," one of Scripture's clearest statements that the entire Old Testament points toward Christ (24:25-27). As evening fell, they urged Him to stay, and "when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight" (24:28-31). Cleopas and his companion immediately got up, despite the late hour, and returned the seven miles to Jerusalem to tell the eleven apostles that Jesus was risen and had appeared to them, arriving just as the disciples were already discussing a resurrection appearance to Peter (24:33-35). Cleopas's story captures how the risen Christ opens both Scripture and eyes to recognize Him.