Speaking of Life 5022 | Born Again
Welcome to this week’s episode, a special rerun from our Speaking of Life archive. We hope you find its timeless message as meaningful today as it was when it was first shared.
Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEYy_kn9QHQ
Program Transcript
Speaking of Life 5022 | Born Again
Greg Williams
As a Christian, you are probably familiar with the metaphor of being “born again.” Jesus used it when talking to Nicodemus to try to explain the radical difference that one must undergo to enter the kingdom of God. Peter later used the same image to encourage a church that was being treated as exiles because of their faith in Christ.
The image of being born again works on both fronts. Certainly, entering the kingdom of God is like being born again as one becomes a new creation filled with life. But have you ever considered that this metaphor also speaks to the experience of believers being exiled from their old way of life?
Peter did. When he began his letter to a church that was being ostracized because of their faith, he chose to use the “born again” image to encourage them not to conform to their former ways of living.
Let’s read how he uses this image in these verses.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Did you catch the picture? Being “born again” involves being born into something – “a living hope.” It also includes being born out of something – “from the dead.” Like a newborn baby, the new life it has after birth will be completely different than the life it had in the womb. Can you imagine a baby trying to live as if it is still in the womb? That would be nonsensical.
But, as Christians, we live with the constant temptation to return to a life that conforms to our old ways of moving and breathing. Especially since we are surrounded by a culture that resists and even persecutes those that live in such a way that challenges and calls into question the status quo. Being a Christian in this world is to live in exile. We are no longer at home in the womb of this world.
But that does not mean we do not belong. We belong to our heavenly Father, and we belong to a new family of brothers and sisters who live together in his love. Our new life of freedom lived in the light is beyond compare to the dark and restrictive life we once had.
So, if you sometimes feel like an exile in this world. Take courage and live in hope. It comes with the territory of being born again.
I’m Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.
Program Transcript
Speaking of Life 5022 | Born Again
Greg Williams
As a Christian, you are probably familiar with the metaphor of being “born again.” Jesus used it when talking to Nicodemus to try to explain the radical difference that one must undergo to enter the kingdom of God. Peter later used the same image to encourage a church that was being treated as exiles because of their faith in Christ.
The image of being born again works on both fronts. Certainly, entering the kingdom of God is like being born again as one becomes a new creation filled with life. But have you ever considered that this metaphor also speaks to the experience of believers being exiled from their old way of life?
Peter did. When he began his letter to a church that was being ostracized because of their faith, he chose to use the “born again” image to encourage them not to conform to their former ways of living.
Let’s read how he uses this image in these verses.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
Did you catch the picture? Being “born again” involves being born into something – “a living hope.” It also includes being born out of something – “from the dead.” Like a newborn baby, the new life it has after birth will be completely different than the life it had in the womb. Can you imagine a baby trying to live as if it is still in the womb? That would be nonsensical.
But, as Christians, we live with the constant temptation to return to a life that conforms to our old ways of moving and breathing. Especially since we are surrounded by a culture that resists and even persecutes those that live in such a way that challenges and calls into question the status quo. Being a Christian in this world is to live in exile. We are no longer at home in the womb of this world.
But that does not mean we do not belong. We belong to our heavenly Father, and we belong to a new family of brothers and sisters who live together in his love. Our new life of freedom lived in the light is beyond compare to the dark and restrictive life we once had.
So, if you sometimes feel like an exile in this world. Take courage and live in hope. It comes with the territory of being born again.
I’m Greg Williams, Speaking of Life.
Psalm 116:1–4,12–19 • Acts 2:14a, 36–41 • 1 Peter 1:17–23 • Luke 24: 13–35
This week’s theme is Jesus opens our eyes. In our call to worship psalm, the psalmist cries out in trouble. Then being delivered from death, he responds with gratitude and public praise. In Acts, God’s resurrection power moves people from confusion and guilt to repentance and renewal — forming a new community of believers. In 1 Peter, believers, redeemed through Christ’s resurrection, are urged to trust God, live in hope, and love one another deeply. And in our sermon pericope in Luke, the downcast disciples encounter the risen Jesus, who opens their eyes. Then they hurry to share the good news.
Reminder: This introductory paragraph is intended to sum up the four RCL selections for the week to assist the preacher prepare the sermon. It is not intended to be included in the sermon.
Jesus Opens Our Eyes
Luke 24:13–35 NIV
[Read or ask someone to read the passage now or during the “scripture reading” portion of your service.]
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and 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 and deed before God and all the people.
The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but did not find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
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?” 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.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Have you ever taken a walk that felt heavier with every step? Maybe it was after a great disappointment, the death of someone you loved, or a hope that kept slipping out of reach. With each step, you have more questions, and the answers seem far away. [Perhaps share a time in your own life like this.]
Most of us, at one point or another, have found ourselves walking in the “in between” — somewhere between grief and hope, confusion, and clarity.
Perhaps this morning you’ve brought your own burdens with you to church. You’ve packed disappointment and doubt as your silent companions. You may wonder:
“Where is God in these unwanted detours of sorrow and confusion?”
“I do not feel Jesus.”
“Is Jesus with us, even when I do not recognize his presence?”
“Who even is God?”
Today’s scripture in Luke places us on a dusty road with two people identified as disciples. A disciple is a dedicated student and follower of Jesus. These two disciples also know what it is like to feel grief and confusion. They have all but given up hope.
But this is much more than merely a story about two people whose grief and hopelessness we might relate to. This story helps us know who God is.
God is one God who exists as three Persons, the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In this story along the Emmaus road, we see the actions of all three Persons of the Trinity. The Father’s promises are being fulfilled. The Son is with them, walking beside them. And the Spirit is already stirring up hope in their hearts — even before they understand why.
Let’s listen closely because their story might just be our story too. Let’s begin by looking at verses 13–16.
These two are walking the road to Emmaus. They are leaving Jerusalem where Jesus has just been crucified. He’s their teacher, their rabbi, their friend. Perhaps they are going to escape the heartbreak and confusion they feel over Jesus’ crucifixion.
Cleopas and the other trudge along, leaving behind every hope that they had about Jesus being the Messiah. They had hoped that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s promised rescuer (verse 21a). But if Jesus is dead, killed on a cross, then surely, he is not the Messiah. He could not save them now.
For most of us, life has not always gone as planned. Maybe we do not have to try too hard to imagine what these two disciples felt. Maybe you know what it feels like to have your plans fail and your dreams crushed. You know. You’ve watched your hopes fall through.
But you are not alone, just as the two walking to Emmaus were not alone!
With their eyes and hearts cast down, suddenly they are joined by a stranger. It’s Jesus! But they do not recognize that it’s Jesus.
Why do they not recognize him? The simple answer is we cannot be sure. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would not be extraordinary looking; his appearance would not make him stand out (Isaiah 53:1–3). Some historians tell us that a traveler in that area might not necessarily be recognizable anyway. He would have worn his cloak over his head to prevent heat stroke. Or God could have divinely kept them from knowing it was Jesus.
The Bible does not spell everything out plainly. We do not actually have to know for certain to be inspired and encounter Jesus in this story. You may have gotten the message that only experts can understand the Bible. No one understands the Bible perfectly. The Bible is for everyone! The Bible is for you. Why not start reading it today? Better yet, try reading it with others.
Without knowing everything, we hear God speak to us through the Bible. So, what can we learn from this story? First, the disciples believe they are alone — but they are not! It’s what they feel, but it is not true. God is with them. Because God is always with us!
Second, we learn that it is God who reveals himself. Jesus opens our eyes.
Now what happens when Jesus joins Cleopas and the other disciple? He simply comes near. He walks with them. We see the patient love of Jesus. He does not demand that they see clearly before he joins them.
It is the same for us. Jesus comes near. He walks with us. Jesus opens our eyes.
Then Jesus joins the conversation with a question: “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” How humble are his questions! We see from what was recorded about Jesus in the Gospels, that he asked a lot of questions.
Now the two disciples respond to Jesus’ question and unload the pieces of their battered hope.
They tell Jesus, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem, to rescue and bring back Israel …” Those are incredibly sad words, indeed. “We had hoped.”
Their companions went to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, but they did not find Jesus. The two say, “They did not see Jesus.” Those are also sad words. Words of disappointment. Words of grief. Words you may have prayed in your own way:
“Where are you, God?”
“I had hoped it would turn out differently.”
“I do not see you, Jesus.”
The disciples’ lament — “we had hoped” — teaches us that authentic faith does not require pretending. The Scriptures themselves are filled with honest cries like “How long, O Lord?” and “Why have you forsaken me?” God invites this kind of truthfulness.
And Jesus understands it from the inside. On the night before his death, in the garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “Let this cup pass from me.” He knows what it is to feel sorrow and anguish.
This is the beauty of the Incarnation: God does not stay distant from our pain. In Jesus, God became human and took our sorrow into himself. He did not just listen to our grief — he carried it. On the cross, Jesus bore what we could not bear. He paid what we could not pay. He took our broken hopes, our sin, and our death into his own body and finished the work we could never complete.
The One who listens to our sorrow is the same one who has already carried it all the way to the cross.
Jesus sympathizes with their pain, but he does not leave them in their hopelessness. Verse 26, Jesus says to them, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
Then he explains to them what all the Scriptures are saying about him (verse 27). Jesus is not giving them a history lesson; he is telling them God’s story. It’s like Jesus takes all the scattered pieces and lays them out in front of the disciples. He shows them how every piece of the story fits together, and Jesus is the center.
The entire, long story has always been leading to Jesus. The cross was not a surprise or a mistake.
It is the rescue.
What they thought was the end of hope was actually God keeping his promise to save them. The Messiah suffered death and went all the way through death to give us life.
God has always been for us, and Jesus is how we know.
May Jesus open our eyes to see this — over and over again.
Now the journey reaches its climax by arriving in Emmaus, not in a classroom or pulpit, but at a simple table. The travelers urge their new companion, “Stay with us.” Jesus who was their guest becomes the host.
Jesus, ever the gracious host, takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and begins to give it to them.
“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.” (verse 31)
Jesus opens their eyes as he breaks and gives the bread. When Jesus breaks the bread, he’s doing more than feeding them — Jesus is making himself known.
Why is this important? This is the same Jesus who was broken on the cross for them. The same Jesus who gave himself when they could not save themselves.
Bread reminds us that Jesus gave his life for us. Broken bread reminds us of Jesus’ broken body on the cross. Broken for us but given freely.
This points us to the sacrament of communion. Jesus reveals himself through communion. The elements are ordinary bread and wine but represent his broken body and shed blood. And every time we take communion we remember. Jesus opens our eyes to who he is … again and again and again.
Verse 32. After Jesus had disappeared, 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?”
The disciples’ hearts “burned within them” as Jesus taught — a phrase that alludes to the awakening of hope and the rekindling of faith. Have you ever come to church, expecting routine, only to have the Spirit kindle new life within you? Have you ever spent time in nature and felt the presence of something larger than yourself, something divine that stirred your heart? What might happen if the next time your “heart burns,” you slow down and turn towards God?
The Spirit is who opens our eyes and sets our hearts burning with hope.
Verse 33. The road to Emmaus does not end in isolation, but in community and announcing the good news. Disciples who walked away discouraged now run back, full of hope. The resurrection story always creates witnesses. We move from the slow steps of sorrow to the eager haste of joy.
“They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them… saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen …” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. (Verse 33–34)
What happens when you encounter the risen Jesus? You cannot keep it to yourself. Transformed by their encounter, the two disciples cannot stay silent. These once-discouraged disciples rush back to Jerusalem. It is no time to rest; they have a story to tell, hope to share, and joy to proclaim.
And notice who is at work here.
The Father has raised the Son from the dead.
The Son has made himself known in mercy and self-giving love.
And the Holy Spirit now sends these disciples back into the world, not as experts, but as living witnesses.
The road to Emmaus is the road we all travel. We have heartbreak; we want honest conversation. We discover Jesus in Scripture and encounter him at the table. And Jesus sends us as witnesses.
Don’t wait until you “feel” like an expert or more prepared. Jesus has opened your eyes, and you are a living witness. It’s enough.
God invites us to share his mission, and he sends us to share the hope we’ve found. For us, this usually looks ordinary — honest conversations, quiet acts of love, small moments where hope is shared. It is something that overflows from resurrection life we’ve been given
During the Easter season, we remember that Christ is indeed risen and meets us on every road.
Jesus come to us, meets us where we are.
Jesus listens.
Jesus tells us the good news.
Jesus explains that God has always been for us.
Jesus opens our eyes.
Catherine Toon—Year A Easter 3
Listen to audio: https://cloud.gci.org/dl/MiscVid/.mp3
Sunday, April 19, 2026 — Third Sunday of Easter
Luke 24:13-35 NRSVUE
This week’s Gospel Reverb is coming soon. We apologize for the delay.
Check back Friday, March 6. Or listen to this week on the full podcast here, beginning at 47:07.
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Program Transcript
Catherine Toon—Year A Easter 3
Anthony: All right, our next text is Luke 24:13–35. It is a Revised Common Lectionary passage for the third Sunday of Easter, April 19. And it reads:
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Catherine, what would you want our audience to know about this road to Emmaus experience?
Catherine: I think that we all are on our own roads to Emmaus they’re things …
Anthony: Come on.
Catherine: … that as we’re journeying with the Christ, that we are not seeing him, that once again, our eyes are shut. I think there’s a little bit of a theme going on. And I love his … I just think it’s so adorable that he chastises in this sweet way. “Oh, how foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have declared ….” Who cannot find themselves in this verse?
Anthony: Sure.
Catherine: And in that place, though, he’s still delighted in us. He still adores us, but he’s diagnosing as the great physician. Yeah, we’re foolish. “The fool in his heart says there is no God.” There are these places in us that aren’t getting it yet, and sometimes our hearts are just slow. We’re dumber than rocks, and but …
Anthony: Speak for yourself.
Catherine: Yes, I’m speaking for myself, but we’re adored. I remember one time I was so frustrated because I was trying to understand, I think it was this rest thing. And I was so frustrated and I was like. “God, I just can’t get this. I’m just so clueless.”
And I heard the Lord as clear as day. He goes, “Catherine, you’re so adorable when you’re clueless.” And I really feel his compassion to meet us where we’re clueless, where we’re foolish and enlighten us, right? Walk with us on this road and start to unveil things to us.
And I love the fact that in this very relational passage, because God is always relational, he acted as if he was going on and then they had to ask, “Stay with us.” And in this place where it’s not like God goes anywhere, but there are times when we need to turn our affection to us and pull him in.
And that is what causes our hearts to be more receptive. And so, as he continued to commune with them in very practical things — they were eating a meal. And ding to ding. Wow! It was when he broke the bread and blessed it and gave it to them, that their eyes were opened. And this is me. I am the bread. I am the one, the night before in the upper room, I broke the bread with you. I drank the wine of the new covenant. This is you and me, and I’m revealing myself in this sacrament once again. And this is why he tells us, do this in remembrance, that we need to remember. We need to piece it together in our beings.
And then what I love about this, it says, were not our hearts burning as we’re engaging with God and walking with him on our Emmaus roads. He brings things in our hearts that start to burn. And as we commune with him, he opens our eyes to see more of who he is, more of who Father God, Holy Spirit are, more of who we are in him and what that means for us as we’re walking out our daily lives.
Anthony: You’ve already alluded to this, but I’d love for you to say more about this affection of inviting God to stay with us. That’s what the brothers asked for. Tell us more about this.
Catherine: It’s interesting. We are, as human beings — I’ll speak for myself again — easily distracted.
Anthony: What?
Catherine: Easily squirrelled. Easily pulled away. Our affections drawn to the next shiny thing, or distracted by our pain, distracted by the fear we have, distracted by the lack or something that’s in front of us, distracted by just human suffering. And in that place, we can shut off really easily and just switch into this mode where we’re trying to figure out the problems, work out our plan, come up with solutions, figure it out, what do we need to do?
And this place of communion is where we receive all things. As you remain in me and I in you. Apart from me, you can do no dang thing. That’s a capital advice, standard vision, right?
Anthony: Yes.
Catherine: There’s nothing we can do. So, why are we distracted way out here trying to find a solution as if it’s out there. When the one that we’re one with holds all things. He is our wisdom. He is our healing, deliverance, sanctification, protection, wisdom, guidance, provision, pick a card and healing, right? Pick a card.
And so, this place of pulling on him, we don’t need to convince him to be good. Good is just who he is. We’re stuck with good.
Anthony: Yes.
Catherine: But in the “stay with us,” it’s a pull on him to reveal himself in a fresh way, which requires us to turn away from all of these ways of being that are so distracted and so fragmented and maybe closed off. And in a way we’re inviting him in deeper communion.
We have to understand that God is relational and he longs for communion with us. There are times when I’ll be ministering to people all day. I’ll be connecting with God really well, and I’ll put my little head on the table, and it has just been straight up flat running all day. And I’ll say, “Jesus, I just didn’t spend 15 minutes with you personally for me. I’m so sorry.” And you know what he said to me? He goes, “Catherine, I’m just so glad that you’re doing it now.” No condemnation. No, “You didn’t. Can you not spend an hour with me?” I woke up and sprung out of bed, but this is the longing of his heart, and he’s so gracious. And when we make that turning of our affection, he reveals himself more and more.
And so, part of this is the disciplines of lingering with God, quieting ourselves down. And as you said, the sacraments help us do that, right? And so, this is where he reveals himself to us in the ways that we need it.
Anthony: A previous surgeon general of the US said that one of the greatest health issues that we have in these United States is loneliness. And the solution is community, which is communion. And I just, when I think of stay with us and abiding and remaining, yes, there’s this very personal, never private, but very personal relationship that we have with the Lord. But one of the great ways that we experience that relationship is with others, and even lingering with others, reveals something about the goodness of God.
We need one another. And thanks be to God that he refuses to be God without us. He goes with us. He stays with us. Amen. And amen.
Program Transcript
Catherine Toon—Year A Easter 3
Anthony: All right, our next text is Luke 24:13–35. It is a Revised Common Lectionary passage for the third Sunday of Easter, April 19. And it reads:
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. 28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Catherine, what would you want our audience to know about this road to Emmaus experience?
Catherine: I think that we all are on our own roads to Emmaus they’re things …
Anthony: Come on.
Catherine: … that as we’re journeying with the Christ, that we are not seeing him, that once again, our eyes are shut. I think there’s a little bit of a theme going on. And I love his … I just think it’s so adorable that he chastises in this sweet way. “Oh, how foolish you are and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have declared ….” Who cannot find themselves in this verse?
Anthony: Sure.
Catherine: And in that place, though, he’s still delighted in us. He still adores us, but he’s diagnosing as the great physician. Yeah, we’re foolish. “The fool in his heart says there is no God.” There are these places in us that aren’t getting it yet, and sometimes our hearts are just slow. We’re dumber than rocks, and but …
Anthony: Speak for yourself.
Catherine: Yes, I’m speaking for myself, but we’re adored. I remember one time I was so frustrated because I was trying to understand, I think it was this rest thing. And I was so frustrated and I was like. “God, I just can’t get this. I’m just so clueless.”
And I heard the Lord as clear as day. He goes, “Catherine, you’re so adorable when you’re clueless.” And I really feel his compassion to meet us where we’re clueless, where we’re foolish and enlighten us, right? Walk with us on this road and start to unveil things to us.
And I love the fact that in this very relational passage, because God is always relational, he acted as if he was going on and then they had to ask, “Stay with us.” And in this place where it’s not like God goes anywhere, but there are times when we need to turn our affection to us and pull him in.
And that is what causes our hearts to be more receptive. And so, as he continued to commune with them in very practical things — they were eating a meal. And ding to ding. Wow! It was when he broke the bread and blessed it and gave it to them, that their eyes were opened. And this is me. I am the bread. I am the one, the night before in the upper room, I broke the bread with you. I drank the wine of the new covenant. This is you and me, and I’m revealing myself in this sacrament once again. And this is why he tells us, do this in remembrance, that we need to remember. We need to piece it together in our beings.
And then what I love about this, it says, were not our hearts burning as we’re engaging with God and walking with him on our Emmaus roads. He brings things in our hearts that start to burn. And as we commune with him, he opens our eyes to see more of who he is, more of who Father God, Holy Spirit are, more of who we are in him and what that means for us as we’re walking out our daily lives.
Anthony: You’ve already alluded to this, but I’d love for you to say more about this affection of inviting God to stay with us. That’s what the brothers asked for. Tell us more about this.
Catherine: It’s interesting. We are, as human beings — I’ll speak for myself again — easily distracted.
Anthony: What?
Catherine: Easily squirrelled. Easily pulled away. Our affections drawn to the next shiny thing, or distracted by our pain, distracted by the fear we have, distracted by the lack or something that’s in front of us, distracted by just human suffering. And in that place, we can shut off really easily and just switch into this mode where we’re trying to figure out the problems, work out our plan, come up with solutions, figure it out, what do we need to do?
And this place of communion is where we receive all things. As you remain in me and I in you. Apart from me, you can do no dang thing. That’s a capital advice, standard vision, right?
Anthony: Yes.
Catherine: There’s nothing we can do. So, why are we distracted way out here trying to find a solution as if it’s out there. When the one that we’re one with holds all things. He is our wisdom. He is our healing, deliverance, sanctification, protection, wisdom, guidance, provision, pick a card and healing, right? Pick a card.
And so, this place of pulling on him, we don’t need to convince him to be good. Good is just who he is. We’re stuck with good.
Anthony: Yes.
Catherine: But in the “stay with us,” it’s a pull on him to reveal himself in a fresh way, which requires us to turn away from all of these ways of being that are so distracted and so fragmented and maybe closed off. And in a way we’re inviting him in deeper communion.
We have to understand that God is relational and he longs for communion with us. There are times when I’ll be ministering to people all day. I’ll be connecting with God really well, and I’ll put my little head on the table, and it has just been straight up flat running all day. And I’ll say, “Jesus, I just didn’t spend 15 minutes with you personally for me. I’m so sorry.” And you know what he said to me? He goes, “Catherine, I’m just so glad that you’re doing it now.” No condemnation. No, “You didn’t. Can you not spend an hour with me?” I woke up and sprung out of bed, but this is the longing of his heart, and he’s so gracious. And when we make that turning of our affection, he reveals himself more and more.
And so, part of this is the disciplines of lingering with God, quieting ourselves down. And as you said, the sacraments help us do that, right? And so, this is where he reveals himself to us in the ways that we need it.
Anthony: A previous surgeon general of the US said that one of the greatest health issues that we have in these United States is loneliness. And the solution is community, which is communion. And I just, when I think of stay with us and abiding and remaining, yes, there’s this very personal, never private, but very personal relationship that we have with the Lord. But one of the great ways that we experience that relationship is with others, and even lingering with others, reveals something about the goodness of God.
We need one another. And thanks be to God that he refuses to be God without us. He goes with us. He stays with us. Amen. And amen.
Small Group Discussion Questions
- When have you experienced “walking the road” of disappointment or doubt? How did you sense (or struggle to sense) God’s presence with you during that time?
- How has Scripture or a word from Jesus helped to reframe your perspective or give you new hope in a challenging season?
- What are some ways you have recognized Jesus’ presence in everyday life — in ordinary moments, relationships, or community?
- How might you share your story of encountering Christ with someone else this week? What would you want them to know about your journey?
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