Several years ago on a trip to Israel, Julie and I were able to go to the road leading to Emmaus from Jerusalem. I remember how beautiful it was in the particular spot where the guide explained how it was thought to be the approximate place where, after His resurrection, Jesus had walked with two disciples as He explained the fulfillment of scriptures “concerning himself”. That had to be the best Bible study ever presented anywhere!
The story is told in Luke 24:13-35. Only one name is mentioned of the two traveling disciples and that is Cleopas.
Imagine yourself as being the other disciple. At this point in time you’re both sad and confused, not understanding how Jesus, whom you believed to be the Messiah, whom you thought would be a conquering hero sent by God to restore the dignity and prominence to the Jews by delivering them from the occupation of the Romans, but instead, just the opposite had happened. Seemingly powerless, Jesus was arrested, insulted, scourged and nailed to a cross where He died and was then buried.
What a disappointment it seemed to the disciples!
As they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus the two disciples were probably discussing, “Where do we go from here? Shall we look for another who is the Messiah?”.
Then all of a sudden a “stranger” appears out of nowhere and joins in the conversation by asking what they are talking about.
As they explain their grief and disappointment, Jesus interrupts and says, “O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” (Luke 24:25-27)
Jesus, seen as a stranger to the disciples, didn’t reveal who He was at that time but explained how the scriptures were fulfilled through Christ, the Messiah. Later they would realize they had been conversing with the resurrected Jesus, the true Messiah!
In that time the New Testament had not yet been written but for a moment, let’s pretend that it has already been written and while you and Cleopas are walking, Jesus explains the scriptures to you.
The conversation may have gone like this . . . .
“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them
in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:27).
• In Genesis, He is the Creator God.
• In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.
• In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.
• In Numbers, He is your guide.
• In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.
• In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.
• In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.
• In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.
• In 1 Samuel, He is the root of Jesse.
• In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.
• In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of kings and Lord of lords
• In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.
• In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.
• In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.
• In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
• In Job, He is the arbitrator who understands your struggles and has the power to do something about them.
• In Psalms, He is your song and your reason to sing.
• In Proverbs, He is your wisdom.
• In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
• In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
• In Isaiah, He is the Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace.
• In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead.
• In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful One upon whom you can depend.
• In Ezekiel, He is the One who assures that dry bones will come alive again.
• In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.
• In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to come back.
• In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.
• In Amos, He is the husbandman, the One you can depend on to stay by your side.
• In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.
• In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.
• In Micah, He is judge of the nation.
• In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
• In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.
• In Zephaniah, He is the witness.
• In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
• In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.
• In Malachi, He is the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings.
• In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.
• In Mark, He is the servant.
• In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
• In John, He is the Son of God.
• In Acts, He is Savior of the world.
• In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
• In 1 Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.
• In 2 Corinthians, He is the triumphant One, giving victory.
• In Galatians, He is your liberty.
• In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.
• In Philippians, He is your joy.
• In Colossians, He is your completeness.
• In 1 Thessalonians, He is your hope.
• In 2 Thessalonians, He is the righteous judge.
• In 1 Timothy, He is your faith.
• In 2 Timothy, He is your stability.
• In Titus, He is the Great God and Savior.
• In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
• In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
• In James, He is the power behind your faith.
• In 1 Peter, He is your example.
• In 2 Peter, He is your purity.
• In 1 John, He is your life.
• In 2 John, He is your pattern.
• In 3 John, He is your motivation.
• In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
• In Revelation, He is the coming King
In other words, dear reader, if you have Jesus, you have all you need!