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Do You Really See with Spiritual Eyes Given by Jesus?
The Road to Emmaus: Eyes That Cannot See
There is a passage in Luke 24 that stops everything. It is the road to Emmaus — a seven-mile stretch walked by two disciples who had seen everything and still understood nothing. Their eyes were wide open. Their hearts were full. And they were completely blind to the truth walking right beside them.
Luke 24:13–35 is not just a resurrection account. It is a mirror.
"Now that same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them." (Luke 24:13–15)
That same day — resurrection day. Two disciples, later identified as Cleopas and Simon, are deep in argument about everything they had witnessed. And Jesus himself is striding alongside them without being recognized. They are arguing about what they saw, arguing about their experiences. Their eyes are about to be opened — but for now they are just trying to figure it out.
"But they were prevented from recognizing him." (Luke 24:16)
How many times has truth been right in front of someone's face and they just cannot seem to grasp it? Sometimes it is because the truth goes hard against what has been taught for years — in practice, in one thing or another, in one denomination or another. And when the truth hits, when the deception that has been embraced for decades finally gets exposed, one of two things happens. Either a person realizes they are no longer deceived, they repent, and they find renewal in their newfound clarity. Or they double down on their falsehoods and start hunting for nitpicky problems with the truth in order to deny it — in order to remain right in their own eyes.
The road to Emmaus is the story of eyes being opened. And Jesus is about to show them the truth about what they are arguing about.
What They Thought the Messiah Was For
"Then he asked them, 'What is this dispute that you're having with each other as you are walking?' And they stopped walking and looked discouraged." (Luke 24:17)
Notice they are discouraged. Bummed out. And they stopped their journey. For these two disciples on the road to Emmaus, stopping to have this conversation with a stranger was a big deal. Stay with this.
"The one named Cleopas answered him, 'Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn't know the things that have happened here in these days?'" (Luke 24:18)
So obvious was everything that had gone down. And this stranger is about to tell them what is what. They continue:
"The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it's the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn't find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn't see him." (Luke 24:19–24)
Do you see it? Their hope was in the redemption of Israel — not the redemption of sin and death, but deliverance from the bondage of Roman oppression. They understood the language of the Torah and the prophets, but they did not understand the true meaning. And their eyes are about to be opened.
The phrase the third day carried enormous cultural and theological weight. Three things are going on there. First, the soul was understood to linger for three days before departing — the third day being a kind of final confirmation of death, a finality of sorts. Second, burial practices confirmed this. John 11:39 gives a clear example: as Jesus arrives at Lazarus's tomb, someone warns, "Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Past the third day meant no more hope. Third, and most importantly, the third day is a biblical pattern of divine action. Abraham sees the place of sacrifice on the third day (Genesis 22). God descends on Mount Sinai on the third day (Exodus 19). Hosea 6 declares, "On the third day he will raise us up." Again and again in scripture, the third day is the moment when God intervenes decisively.
So the disciples finish laying out everything they had seen and heard — and you can see why they were in these deep discussions. This could mean that, that could mean this, follow. Then comes verse 25, and notice how Jesus does not sugarcoat it. To these two, he is still just a stranger who apparently was not clued in on what happened around Jerusalem. And this stranger is about to tell them what is what.
Jesus Takes Them Back to the Word
"How foolish you are and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Wasn't it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:25–26)
Come on, fellas. You should know all this by now. How can you be so clueless? There were not just twelve disciples. Those twelve were special callings he pulled aside and taught separately. But around a hundred people traveled with him regularly and were also his disciples. These two were among them. They had heard a lot of his teaching. And he is saying, what is wrong with you?
Then verse 27 — and this is huge.
"Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures." (Luke 24:27)
Look closely at what Jesus does not do. He does not discuss their experiences. He does not ask them about the temple veil or the sun being blotted out for three hours on Friday. He does not weigh in on whether they should or should not believe the women who were at the tomb. He never even went there.
Jesus hears them out — and then he does what Jesus always does. He takes his people — and that is the key, his people — back to the word of God. Back to the only authority. Back to the scriptures.
Please get this. Because in what follows, it could be a huge day for deception to lift from some people. Some things that have been hiding in plain sight.
"They came near the village where they were going and he gave the impression he was going further. But they urged him, 'Stay with us, because it's almost evening and now the day is almost over.' So he went to stay with them. And it was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed it, and broke it and gave it to them." (Luke 24:28–30)
Here it is.
"Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, 'Weren't our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the scriptures?'" (Luke 24:31–32)
Their hearts were burning while he explained the scriptures. Not during the miracles. Not during the earthquake. While he opened the word.
That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem — seven miles, at evening. Think about the hospital calling and saying a loved one may not make it through the night. Nobody hangs up and finishes their coffee. Nobody moseies over. They bolt. That is what is happening here. These men have intentionality and they are making that seven-mile walk right now.
"They found the eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, 'The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon.' Then they began to describe what happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread." (Luke 24:33–35)
Jesus made himself known. That is what the authentic Jesus does — not the Messiah of someone's own understanding that they are out there arguing about with others. The authentic Jesus makes himself known by using the scriptures, not experiences. This passage shows that using the word of God as written brings clarity and makes the true Jesus known.
No matter how mind-blowing the experience — earthquakes like no other, the veil being torn from top to bottom, the sun being blacked out for three hours in the middle of the afternoon — it still will not guarantee that someone will see and know the truth. The religious leaders twisted the feelings and convinced many to remain in what they had always known. Their authority, their significance, and their positions all depended on it. Our Messiah would never get himself killed. This is not what we who are in charge of the temple proclaim. They had to explain it away, make light of what they could, and rely on habit and tradition to keep people in line.
Once there are true eyes to see — verified by the word of God in context — there is no going back to what is now known to be false. Take the hit. Confess. Repent. Roll on with the true Jesus.
"Avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful and is self-condemned." (Titus 3:9–11)
What the Cross Is Actually About
Much of consumer Christianity in America has shifted the focus of the cross — sometimes knowingly, sometimes without even realizing it. That is the fact, Jack. And much of it starts and ends with people who do not truly understand the cross while at the same time thinking way too highly of themselves. The tendency is to run everything through the lens of me, myself, and I. Very little of the Bible is written about any individual directly. It is there for understanding. It is there to help gain salvation. But it is not there to be used as a performance system to win a prize.
So here is the real deal about the cross.
"And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed, saying, 'Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.' And there appeared to him an angel from heaven strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground." (Luke 22:41–44)
So many times this gets read as Jesus dreading the physical suffering he knows is coming — the nails, the whips, the crown of thorns. That was a necessary part of the crucifixion. But that is not what is being said here. That is not what had the Son of God sweating blood.
How is that known? Because this is the same Jesus who moments later walks out toward a hundred armed men and says I am he — and they all collapse to the ground in a heap. He blew them off their feet with a word, because he is the King.
"So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons." (John 18:3)
Lanterns, torches, weapons. This is a riot. A mob of roughly a hundred men, keyed up and armed, coming for one man.
"Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?' They answered him, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus said to them, 'I am he.' Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." (John 18:4–6)
He is not sweating blood because he is worried about what Rome is about to do to him. There is zero fear of what man can do to him. Then:
"So he asked them again, 'Whom do you seek?' And they said, 'Jesus of Nazareth.' Jesus answered, 'I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.' This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: 'Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.'" (John 18:7–9)
Even at his arrest, even at go time, Jesus was still taking care of his own. That is all that matters — to be one of those whom God has given to Jesus.
So if there is zero fear of what man can do to him, what was actually going on in the garden? In Gethsemane, Jesus was staring at the cup — the cup of God's wrath. He was also staring down the reality that if he did not come through right then, all of humanity would be lost forever. The cup of God's wrath is way more than nails and whips.
"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4–5)
This is about the separation of sin from a holy God. This is about the impossible redemption of a cursed and wicked people. And yet some try to turn this into a magic potion to heal them when they are sick, or a verse to claim when they are broke, or a promise to stand on for greater possessions. Going to Jesus with every need — yes. Casting every care on him — absolutely. Trusting his promises through every season — of course. But praying the blood of Jesus over a sniffle, claiming healing by his stripes over a job situation, asking for a new car by the victory of the cross — stop it. It is a misuse of the scriptures. This passage is about healing from death and sin for eternity. Apart from redemption, none of this is about the individual. It is about the work of the spotless Lamb of God.
The Cup of God's Fury
"My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed." (Isaiah 51:5–6)
This is what the cross is all about. The cup of his fury. The cup of his wrath.
"Thus the Lord, the God of Israel, said to me: 'Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.'" (Jeremiah 25:15)
Jesus was staring into it. Every sin of all his people — every lie, every lust, every act of rebellion — gathered into one cup. And the eternal Son was about to drink it all.
"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)
Think about the cup God asks his people to drink — the cup of health and sickness, the cup of wealth, the cup of poverty, the cup of fellowship, the cup of rejection. In the middle of any of it, can a person truly say not my will but yours? Because that cup is nothing — nothing — compared to what Jesus was about to drink.
He went back a second time, and a third.
"Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.' And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words." (Matthew 26:42–44)
Then Jesus, in massive obedience to the Father — in obedience to the plan — went out and drank every drop. For the many he came to save.
Reconciliation, Not a Self-Help Story
"From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:16–21)
How can anyone possibly take that and make it about themselves? He was made sin and cursed so that his people might be saved.
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree' — so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith." (Galatians 3:13–14)
Christ became a curse. The Father looked at the Son — the Son he had loved for all of eternity, perfect, spotless, sinless — and treated him like every sinner deserves. Like an enemy.
"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief." (Isaiah 53:10)
It pleased the Lord to crush him. Why? Because in love he was determined to save his people. So the full weight of divine justice fell — and it fell hard. No mercy for Christ. No relief for Jesus. No easing of the blow for the Son of God.
The warmth of heaven, which had been eternally on the Son, went dark. The fellowship the Father and Son had shared for all of eternity was swallowed up in holy judgment, in darkness, in fury, in abandonment. And from the cross the Son cried out:
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
These are not empty words. That is the abandonment every sinner deserved. That is the wrath they deserved. The Son drank the judgment — every drop — for the whole bride of Christ.
If the wrath poured out is not understood, the glory of the empty tomb never will be. There will be no worshiping God the way he commands. There will be no walking in the contentment that comes with godliness. Good people will keep walking in defeat instead of in the victory that is already theirs in their salvation — because someone turned the story of the cross into a power-of-positive-thinking self-help message and robbed them of the real thing.
The question is simple and it is final: Did Jesus Christ die for you? Did he absorb the full, furious, divine wrath of God in your place? Or is there still an attempt to stand on personal ground before a holy God?
If that is you — stop it today. Run to Christ. Run to Christ crucified, risen, and all-sufficient. It is for all who will repent and believe.