Read Luke 24:13-35: Two men are walking and talking about what’s been going on and another man walks up and seems to join in the conversation. Back in Bible times a stranger joining into a conversation on the road likely would have been fairly normal. “Hey where you walking to?” “Emmaus.” “Is it alright if I walk with you?” Back then it was safer to walk in groups than to go by yourself in case bandits came and assault you. Jesus appears and they didn't recognize him but he joins people who are walking and keep walking and talking about all the things that were going on.
Reading this story this encounter sounds wonderful but something we take for granted is that this was just how it was. But I doubt something like this would happen exactly like this today because although we carpool at times the idea of a random stranger joining into conversation as we’re traveling feels uncomfortable and foreign to us. Imagine what it would be like for you to stop at a rest stop or a restaurant on a road trip and have someone you’ve never met before sit down with you while you eat and talk about deep things like politics or religion out of the blue. It would also be unusual, uncomfortable, and generally unwelcome for people to meet with us on the road today.
The scenario that takes place on the road to Emmaus wouldn’t likely happen today, but it did back then. Many of the times when Jesus was on the road with his disciples, there were powerful encounters with strangers, but today you can drive by people’s houses and businesses and never interact with them as we travel from the comforts of our vehicles rather than on the strength of our own two legs. However there are other times when we are going the same way as others. We may not meet on the road, but we can meet on the “roads of life”
I wonder how many of us would welcome someone to join into our conversations and how many of us would welcome strangers into our time in community? This is one thing that this story teaches us, that God wants us to engage with people, even if they don’t recognize us, even if we are strangers to them. God calls us to reach out to all people and love and care for them.
Jesus in this story models for us the importance of engaging with the people around us. As he does in so many different places in the gospels, Jesus engages with these individuals and cares for them and teaches them as the opportunity arose. As we live our lives, we can follow his example and interact with those around us. Although we may not run into people and be with them on the road like they used to in Bible times there are still times when you are “going the same way” as others. If you’re at a sporting event, talk to the people around you. If you’re at a restaurant, talk to the table next to you. If you’re checking out at a store waiting, talk to the people in line with you. As you go the same way as others, engage with them. Love them. Share the good news with them. Have a blessed week and may you become more like Jesus Christ.
