An Enlightening Dinner with Jesus

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Luke 24:28-35 "As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
This is the story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus.  It is included only in the gospel of Luke.  Jesus is going along the road and hears these men talking about the events of the recent days. He plays dumb and asks them about what has been happening.  The disciples recount who Jesus was, his dynamic public ministry, his death on the cross, and the report of his resurrection by the women and the other apostles.  
Then, Jesus explains who the Messiah is starting with the Law of Moses and continuing with the prophets.  The disciples are interested and literally beg him to stay with him for dinner.  As they are having dinner together, Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to them. At that moment they recognize that it is him.  Then he disappears. 
Commentators differ as the how Jesus revealed himself to the disciples.  Some think it is a reference to his sacramental presence similar to what he revealed at the Last Supper with his disciples a few days earlier.  The disciples say this, "Were our hearts not burning within us when he talked with us and opened the scriptures." 
The bottom line is that the Holy Spirit who enlightens us to recognize Jesus through His Holy Word.  The Word is Jesus and when Jesus is proclaimed clearly the Holy Spirit takes the Word and changes human hearts to give them saving faith.  When we receive Holy Communion we are receiving the Word, Jesus, in a different way.  Instead of just hearing it we know touch it, taste it and experience it again through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Each week when we break the bread and pour the wine we trust Jesus is truly there. Why? Because he said he would be when share the family meal.  We trust in His promise that He is with us, and don't try to intellectualize how he is actually present. 
David Guzik in his Enduring Word commentary has to these words as to how this passage applies to our lives,
"Jesus may be right in front of you, walking with you and sitting down with you at every meal – and your eyes could be restrained from seeing Him. We therefore should pray that God would open our eyes to see Jesus as He is, as being with us all the time."
May we continue to seek Jesus in the Word preached, studied and memorized, and through the breaking of bread and pouring out of the wine.  Open the eyes of our heart God so we can see Jesus high and lifted up shining in the light of your glory.   


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