A Revealing Truth

By Karla Schettenhelm, Children's Ministry

The Road to Emmaus account is found in Luke 24:13-35.

The word Emmaus means “hot springs.”  Emmaus was a small village about 7 miles from Jerusalem. How far is church from your house? How far is the grocery store? Think about something that is about 7 miles from your house? Do you think you could walk there? In today’s lesson two men walked to Emmaus from Jerusalem, and Jesus walked with them.

Two men left Jerusalem the afternoon Jesus rose from the dead and walked toward Emmaus. They were talking about the things that had happened with Jesus. As they walked along Jesus came and started walking with them but they did not recognize Him.  

Jesus asked what they were talking about. One of the men named Cleopas said, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” Jesus asked them what things they were talking about. They told Jesus some of the things that had happened. Finally, they told Him that some women said that they had gone to the tomb and did not find Jesus’ body. Some angels told the women that Jesus is alive.  

Then Jesus said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then Jesus taught them what God had written in the Scriptures about Himself.

They got to the village, and Jesus acted like He was going farther. But they begged Jesus to stay with them, so He went inside. They sat down for supper, and Jesus took bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly they recognized Him, and He vanished from their sight.

They talked about how they had a wonderful burning feeling inside of them when He was talking to them. They were so excited they ran back to Jerusalem and found Jesus’ disciples to tell them that Jesus had walked and talked with them on the road and how He was recognized by them when He broke the bread.

You can  watch a video describing this account...
for young children watch from The Holy Tales Bible Stories
for older children and adults watch from The Bible Project

These men were not blind, but they could not see who Jesus was. They were like students who do not understand something: it doesn’t help to just read a word over and over or “look harder” at a math problem; they need a teacher to make it clear. These disciples also needed a teacher. They needed Jesus to help them understand.

• Can you think of a time when you had trouble “seeing” (understanding) something and someone helped you?

Jesus helped them (and us) to see how all Scripture points to Jesus and is written to help us understand Jesus’ redeeming love for us. Jesus opens our eyes through His Word and Sacraments so that we can believe and trust in Him.

Here are a few Old Testament prophecies that point to the coming of Christ. These could have been words that Jesus shared with the men on their way to Emmaus. Reflect on what these passages say about Jesus

• Isaiah 9:6
• 2 Samuel 7:12-16
• Daniel 7:13-14

Even though we don’t see Jesus in person like the disciples did, what are some ways that we still see Jesus today?
Has there ever been something from the Bible that did not make sense to you?
Who helped you understand it?

While Jesus was not giving these men the Lord’s Supper, there is a connection to bread in this narrative. Jesus feeds His people with not just bread to eat but with life-giving words.
Jesus called Himself “the bread of life.” Listen to the song “I am the Bread of Life”

Make bread to share with your family. Here is an easy recipe.
And here are recipes for a variety of yummy breads!

Since the two men walked to Emmaus with Jesus, this week you could do some footprint arts and crafts!

• Paint your child’s feet or let them do it, then have them walk around on a large piece of paper. Be careful, the paint can make this slippery. Caption the art – “Walking with Jesus.” 
• Instead of painting, trace several footprints.
• Make a footprint cross
• Make a footprint butterfly

This week’s Bible verse is Luke 24:31 Their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.  It would be fun to make glasses or binoculars to help us see better!

• Make glasses using pipe cleaners
• Make binoculars using toilet paper tubes

We continue to celebrate that Jesus is Alive!
Music is ordered from the songs for young children to those for older children and adults
Hallelu Hallelu (Sing Hosanna)
He’s Alive He’s Alive (Yancy & Little Praise Party)
Jesus Loves Me Remix (KidSpring Worship)
I Believe (Go Fish)
Christ is Risen (Matt Maher)
Glorious Day (Casting Crowns)
Jesus Lives!  The Victory’s Won!
Hallelujah Chorus (in isolation)

Dear Jesus, help us to understand Your Word in our lives to know the truth of Your resurrection. Help us to go and tell this wonderful Good News to everyone. In Your name we pray, Jesus. Amen.