They Knew Him at the Table
“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”
— Luke 24:28-31 (NIV)
These two were walking away from Jerusalem because they thought it was over. Jesus had been with them for hours and they had not known Him. He acts as though He will walk on, and waits to be asked. What finally gives Him away is not a speech but a gesture at supper. He picks up bread the way He always had, and that is when they see.
Sometimes a person walks away from something because they have decided it is finished. Maybe that walk has already happened once. Those two were not looking for Jesus; they were going home. He caught up with them on the road out.
Ask Someone to Stay
- 1Invite one person to eat with you this week, at your table, without an occasion.
- 2Say the invitation out loud rather than assuming they know they are welcome.
Jesus, there are things I have already written off. I do not always notice You walking next to them. Please stay long enough for me to recognise You. And let me be the kind of person who asks someone to stay.
He walks toward people who are walking away.
Why did they not recognise Him earlier?
Luke says their eyes were kept from it. He does not explain how, only that recognition came at the table.
Why does Jesus act as if He will walk on?
He waits to be invited. The text has them urge Him strongly before He goes in.
What gave Him away?
Taking bread, giving thanks and breaking it. A gesture they had watched Him make before.