Luke 24:13 to 24:35 The risen Jesus is always close beside us, helping us understand God's Word and filling our hearts with joy. Follow the journey of Cleopas and his friend walking sad toward Emmaus. See how Jesus joined them on the road and explained the Scriptures. Discover how their eyes were opened when Jesus broke bread at the table. On the very afternoon of the resurrection, two discouraged followers of Jesus were walking seven miles from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. Two Sad Friends on a Dusty Road On Sunday afternoon, two followers of Jesus were walking along the road from [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem) to a village called [Emmaus](/bible/explorer/place/emmaus). They were talking sadly about everything that had happened over the weekend: the cross, the tomb, and their broken hopes. As they walked with downcast faces, a traveler came near and began walking right beside them, but God kept their eyes from recognizing that it was Jesus! Warming Their Hearts with Scripture The traveler asked gently, 'What are you discussing as you walk?' Cleopas replied with surprise, 'Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know what happened to Jesus of Nazareth?' They explained their sorrow. Then Jesus said, 'How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!' Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained everything the Scriptures said about the Messiah. Eyes Opened at the Table When they reached Emmaus, they urged him: 'Stay with us, for it is toward evening.' Jesus went inside to eat with them. When he was at the table, he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. Suddenly their eyes were opened, and they recognized him! In that instant, he vanished from their sight. They gasped, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road?' They ran seven miles all the way back to Jerusalem to shout: 'The Lord is risen indeed!' Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures? Luke 24:32 Where were the two sad friends walking on Sunday afternoon? To a village called Emmaus To Egypt To the Sea of Galilee To Rome To a village called Emmaus Luke 24:13 notes they were traveling toward a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. At what special moment did the disciples finally recognize Jesus? When he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them When they bought fruit in the marketplace When they saw his leather sandals When a rooster crowed When he took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them Luke 24:30 to 31 reveals their eyes were opened when Jesus broke bread at the table. What did the two friends do immediately after Jesus vanished? They ran seven miles back to Jerusalem to share the good news They went to sleep for three days They forgot what happened They stayed quietly in Emmaus They ran seven miles back to Jerusalem to share the good news Their hearts were so full of joy that they immediately ran back to Jerusalem to announce Jesus was alive. Take a short walk with a parent or sibling this week and talk about what you love most about Jesus. Risen Jesus, thank you for walking close beside us even when we feel sad or confused. Open my eyes to understand your holy Word in the Bible. Warm my heart with your love and presence every day. Amen. How does it feel to know that Jesus walks right beside you even when you cannot see him? What made the disciples' hearts 'burn' with joy when Jesus spoke? Early readers discover that the risen Jesus walks beside us, opens the Bible to our understanding, and turns our sadness into joy. Have two children walk slowly across the room looking sad. Then have a third child join them with a bright smile. Explain that Jesus turns our saddest journeys into celebrations! Why didn't they recognize Jesus right away? God kept their eyes veiled until the right moment so Jesus could teach them from the Bible first, proving that faith rests on God's Word. 5 min Emmaus Walk Hook, 15 min Story Time, 10 min Memory Verse Drill, 10 min Discussion, 5 min Prayer