The Travellers
TEXT: Luke 24:13-43
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 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?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:28-35)
It was evening. Having declined numerous invitations to depart from the house, she was still present. Now the commotion had quieted somewhat, and finally she could draw near with her questions.
“Peter! Simon Peter!”
The fisherman turned toward her, looking apprehensive.
“They’re saying you saw him, alive and well. But you’ve been within my sight almost the whole day. When did this happen? Did he meet you at the tomb? Did John see him, too?”
“Well … that’s not exactly …” Peter began, only to be interrupted. At the door, another commotion.
“Peter! It’s Cleopas. Let us in!”
Cleopas? He and his companion had left them, hours ago, on their way to Emmaus. Why had they returned?
“Peter! Peter! Simon Peter! Open the door!”
Peter unbolted the door, then stumbled backwards as the two disciples burst in. Then the story tumbled out, as they described their encounter.
“He walked with us almost the whole way, but somehow we didn’t recognize him.”
“I can’t believe we didn’t know it was Jesus.”
“But when he broke the bread, we knew.”
“Yes. But then he was gone!”
From her position beside the crowd of men, she could see someone enter through the still-open door. A stranger?
No. A familiar face. Then a familiar voice.
“Peace be with you.”