Luke records the first physical sighting of the resurrrected Jesus as being on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. We know from other gospels that Jesus had appeard to Mary as she was leaving the tomb, (gospel of John), but Luke records the interaction between to disciples and Jesus as He explains the mystery of his death and resurrection from the Old Testament. This interpretation of the O.T. is vital for the church going forward as they follow Jesus and the church expands to all the corners of the earth.

All gospel writers include the bodily death and resurrection of Jesus. Yet, all the gospel writers include certain details and timelines in order to communicate their purpose. Luke, for the first time in His gospel, does not include Jesus in this text but rather His disciples coming to the point of needing faith in order to follow. That is the question Luke poses to us, will we have faith given what we have been presented. He is indeed risen, but will that lead your heart to faith and obedience?

Jesus had previously told a parable of a noble man who went away and came back to his home to find some faithful servants and at least one unfaithful servant. Luke uses Jesus return to Jerusalem as a tangible illustration of this parable. In a sense the trip from the Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem shows us the noble King returning to find His servants either worshipping Him, or disgruntled. What kind of servants would He find? What kind of servants will He find when He returns again?