I think sometimes in this country we take the knowledge of Jesus for granted. We have Bibles in our bookstores and at our fingertips. We have churches on our street corners and the gospel plastered on billboards. Jesus' name is on T-shirts, coffee mugs and journals. It's even tossed around in songs and movies. But for all that exposure, all that knowledge, do we truly know who Jesus is?
The disciples thought they knew. And yet the events of the crucifixion left them scattered, shaken, unsure. Two of these men were on the road to Emmaus, a village about seven miles from Jerusalem, when the resurrected Jesus met them (Lk. 24:13–16). The Bible tells us they were kept from recognizing Him, and began discussing with Him everything that had happened.
"We had hoped that He was the one who was going to redeem Israel," they said, disheartened (v.21). They recounted the testimony of the women, and John and Peter's inspection at the empty tomb, but failed to make the connection with the curious stranger at their side (v. 22–24). Jesus—still misunderstood, yet ever patient—cuts to the core of the disciples' unbelief: "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" (v. 25–26).
Jesus then proceeds to teach them, from the Scriptures, all about Himself. Starting with the books of Moses and on down through the Prophets, Christ expounds the texts. The word in Greek is diermeneuo, which means to interpret fully. This was not vain speculation or airy philosophy, this was rock-solid, foundational doctrine taught by the Son of God Himself! Jesus yearned for His followers to know Him, and know Him rightly.
The two men listened intently as this "stranger" taught them, their hearts burning as the living Word ministered to them in power. As they came to the town, they urged Jesus to stay with them, for the day was almost over (v. 29). Later when they had sat down to eat, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. In a symbolic gesture, Christ's teaching coalesced with the image of His sacrifice, and the disciples suddenly recognized Him!
Could it be that these men are intended as a living parable for us today? Is it possible that Christ is saying to us, "Know me! Know me by my word lest you fail to see me, even when I'm right in front of you..."? Are we confident enough to say we recognize the truth when we hear it?
Holding to doctrine and taking a stand for truth is not pride, though it certainly can be done with a prideful heart. To understand Scripture rightly is to understand the God of Scripture—His nature, His character, His promises and purposes. The Bible is not some thing we can take apart and reconstruct to fit our agenda. It is not a tool to make ourselves look or feel better. We cannot pick and choose which parts we like and which parts we don't. Jesus tells us here that all the Scriptures point to Him—and therefore all of Scripture is useful for teaching us more about who Jesus is.
This, this is Christ's mission—it has not changed! Even on the other side of the grave He is still teaching, still pointing His followers to the message of truth. "Go!" He says, "Make disciples and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19–20). Christ has given us the Holy Spirit—our "guide into all truth" who enables us to "speak the word of God boldly" (Jn. 16:13; Acts 4:31). He has given us everything we need to be saved and to live a life of godliness (2 Pet. 1:3–4)! He has given us His word, and we would do well to pay attention to it (2 Pet. 1:19).
Brothers and sisters, may we not stumble in disobedience to the message (1 Pet. 2:8), but seek God in His word! May we not be slow of heart, but eager to understand, eager to believe. And may we not find ourselves among those who ask, "What is truth?", but among those who say, "I know the truth, and His name is Jesus Christ!"