Embracing Holy Indifference: The Emmaus Road

Warm-up Question

When have things not turned out like you hoped or expected? What did you do? Give examples. 

Reflection Questions 

1. What do you see in this image?
2. What do you feel looking at this image?
3. What stories from your own life does this image bring to mind?
4. What stories of the world does this image bring to mind?

Then their Eyes were Opened 

Luke 24: 13-35

Bible Story Reflection 

The Emmaus Road was, in many ways, the journey away from hope for Cleopas and his companion. They had traveled as pilgrims to Jerusalem for the Passover festivities, and like many, they had hoped that Jesus would be the one to fulfill their much longed for expectations and dreams. 

But then, everything went so wrong. Jesus was arrested, tried, executed a political criminal, and buried. Their hopes were sealed away in that tomb with Jesus, and in this story, they are on their way home. They have heard the accounts of the women that Jesus is alive again, but they do not believe them, and so they are making their way back to what was before. They are traveling the road tough-trodden, the unexpected journey away from hope. 

In the midst of this journey, Jesus joins them on the way and walks with them. Jesus gives them space to tell of their sorrow, Jesus listens to them, and Jesus talks with them. When Jesus sits down at table with them, and blesses and breaks the bread, the clouds of confusion fall away, and these two travelers realize and understand that their seeking is leading them someplace completely new. They became witnesses of the risen Christ to others. 

Reflection upon this story is an invitation to ponder the times when our own dreams have been shattered, our ideas have been crushed, or the pattern, the security of our lives has been changed by some outside force, by something beyond what we can control. Through such pondering, it is an invitation to be reminded anew that Jesus journeys with us amid all our journeys – both toward and away from hope – and it is an invitation to lean into the newness that God opens up along the way. 

Discussion Questions 

1. Why do you think that Cleopas and his companion did not believe the women? 2. What prevented them from recognizing Jesus? 
2. How do disappointment and grief cloud our vision and understanding? 4. What is the significance of Jesus walking with them? 
3. Why is it important that Jesus lets them tell their story? 
4. What does it mean to you that “their eyes were opened” when Jesus blessed and broke the bread? 
5. It was hard for Cleopas and his companion to be open to the possibility that what the women said was true. What makes openness difficult? 
6. Cleopas and his companion were changed by their encounter with Jesus. How is Jesus calling you to change? 

Activity Suggestions 

Augustine wrote, solvitur ambulando – “it is solved by walking.” Take a prayer walk and talk with God about one thing that is weighing on your heart and mind. 

In small groups, play the game “One Interpretation Might Be…” Name a circumstance or challenge. Then make a list of as many interpretations as possible. Make sure to include both easy and tough interpretations. Reflect upon how easy or challenging it is to be open to interpretations that are not your own. 

• For example: Consider the circumstance, “worship attendance is low in the summer.” Possible interpretations: people travel in the summer; the time of worship changes in the summer, and that is hard for people; people like a vacation from everything, including church; the scripture readings in the summer tend to not feel as relevant; worship isn’t as well done in the summer, etc. 

Think back on the past month in your life. Make a list of as many circumstances as you can remember that required you to be open to something new. Include both “everyday” and extraordinary circumstances. 

Prayer Concerns 

Those who have lost hope, those faced with something new, those who are seeking. 

Closing Prayer 

Accompany me on my seeking journey, O God, and open my heart to understand where you would have me go. In the name of +Jesus, Amen 

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