Men of Emmaus

Luke 24:13-17 (New American Standard Bible)

13. And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17. And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?" And they stood still, looking sad.

When I read this above passage from the Bible, I wondered why was the eyes of these men were prevented from recognizing Jesus and later were remarked by Jesus as slow of believing?

This incident happens on the day Jesus resurrected. Many of them had heard the Lord speak of His suffering, crucification and resurrection. Yet it was difficult for them to really believe it. At least some believed after seeing the empty tomb like the women who were assisting the Lord's work. The men who walked down the road of Emmaus, had heard about the empty tomb from the women and the disciples (Lk 24:18-24), but they did not to believe it. They heard the news but had lot of doubts in their hearts.

The Lord wanted to test them of their faith and help them see the truth. That was the reason why their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And the Lord implores them with a simple question and they testify about what they heard from the women and the disciples. These men did not believe in the words of Jesus (which He spoke before all these came to pass) nor from the witness of the women and the disciples. That was the reason why the Lord remarks at them as foolish and slow of heart.(Lk 24: 25)

It the same with many of us, today. We have seen how the Lord had worked in our lives, we have read His words of promise, hope, and comfort for us. Yet we fail to believe that He can really keep up to it. Oh! how slow of heart we become to believe. May we never react like the men of Emmaus, but take God at His Word, believing that He is faithful to keep it...