26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Because the people were looking for a strong leader, they often overlooked the passages in the Old Testament that referred to Jesus. Now, I don’t pretend to know all the passages in Scripture that Jesus quoted to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, but I do know some of them.
Psalm 22 was quoted by Jesus on the cross. The Jews believe that if you quote any part of a psalm, you are quoting the entire psalm. Jesus prayed the beginning of the psalm, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He trusted that God would be with him through it all.
Further in the psalm we read, “All who see me, mock me,” “They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all of my bones;” “They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
In Isaiah, we read: “Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” And then we have all of the Suffering Servant references: “Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights. I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.” “I will also give you as a light to the nations that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth.” “I gave my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I didn’t hide my face from shame and spitting.”
These are but a few of the references that Jesus might have quoted to Clopas and his companion. With them, they finally understood what the Messiah was all about. However, they didn’t recognize Jesus until the breaking of the bread.
Thank you, Lord, for letting us see what those who came before could not see. Sometimes we, too, can be blinded by what we expect to see, instead of looking at what is right in front of us. Help us to always see your truth. Amen.
