Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 70
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
24:13-34
and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering
what had happened.
That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking
about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these
things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But
God kept them from recognizing him.
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of
them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who
hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few
days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said.
“He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher
in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other
religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they
crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue
Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb
early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said
his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is
alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone,
just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to
believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and
all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning
himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey.
Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night
with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat
down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it
to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And
at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked
with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the
hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the
eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said,
“The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
