Unnamed but Not Unknown

Luke 24:13-15 (ESV) That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.

In Luke’s account, of the first two people to speak with Jesus after his resurrection on the first Easter, one is named Cleopas. The other is not named. They do not appear to be part of the core Twelve Apostles (actually eleven by that point, since Judas’ suicide had just taken place). Verse 33 says explicitly, “They returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together.” Yet, these two were part of Jesus’ inner circle. They were emotionally devastated by his loss. (vv 18-21) They heard the report of the women who first witnessed the empty tomb that very morning before they started the trip to Emmaus. (vv 22-24) Although we cannot say for certain they were at the Last Supper, they recognized Jesus as he blessed and broke bread in front of them. (vv 30-31; 35)

Luke spends a surprisingly large amount of time (21 verses) describing their journey and conversation with Jesus. This provokes a lot of questions. Why did Jesus spend so much time with these two otherwise obscure characters on the first day of his Resurrection? The journey and dinner must have taken several hours. Although Jesus appeared to Peter and later to the rest of the eleven, it does not sound like he spent nearly as much time with these who had the “title” and were recognized later as the first leaders of the church. (See Acts 6) Jesus seems to have intentionally sought out one man who was named only once in the whole New Testament and another who is not named at all to bring encouragement, understanding of fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, and reveal himself on this, the most significant day in history.

Although we are not told why, we can consider that any of us can be that unnamed disciple on the Road to Emmaus. It is not our titles, names, achievements, or prestige that compel Jesus to come to us. We do not even have to have a full understanding of who He truly is. Yet, if we walk with Him, listen to Him, search the scriptures with and for Him, and receive what He offers us, He will reveal Himself to us. I pray your heart burns within you (vs 32) as Jesus walks with you today.