"Then He said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?'" (Luke 24:25,26). At this point, these disciples do not know what to believe about Jesus who had been crucified. He first rebukes them for their skepticism. He then explains that it was God's will for the Christ to suffer and be glorified, as the Old Testament foretold. Thus, Jesus the Christ was fulfilling God's will. Jesus essentially asked: "Was it not proper for Him to do so?"
"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). Jesus presented a comprehensive view of all the Messianic prophecies from the first of the series of predictions in the writings of Moses down through the prophets (e.g., types such as the Passover, the rock in the wilderness, Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac, the Day of Atonement, the bronze serpent, etc., as well as the prophetic details revealed in the Major and Minor Prophets and passages such as Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, etc.). He masterfully showed that the Old Testament had much to say about the Messiah and that the predictions were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Although they were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures, Jesus opened their eyes to the truths contained therein pertaining to the Messiah. He convinced them that there was no inconsistency between what the prophets foretold and what Jesus had went through. Oh how I wish I could hear Jesus elaborate upon the Old Testament Scriptures and their application to Himself!
As they drew near to Emmaus, Jesus acted as if He intended to keep traveling. It is worth noting that the Lord does not force Himself upon anyone, but those who joyfully accept Him receive great blessings (cf. Rev. 3:20).
"But they constrained Him, saying, 'Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' And He went in to stay with them" (Luke 24:29). They compelled Jesus with kind words to stay with them since it was close to evening. They were reluctant to part company with this delightful "stranger," and certainly they were thankful to Him for teaching them of the Messiah. They were willing to show hospitality to Him as a token of their gratitude, perhaps.
"Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight" (Luke 24:30,31). It is unknown whether they asked Him to give thanks and break the bread or if He took the responsibility upon Himself. As He was breaking the bread that would satisfy their physical hunger, the miraculous influence that had prevented them from recognizing Him was removed, and their eyes were opened to the reality of who this "stranger" was. It was Jesus! The Lord Himself had been satisfying their spiritual hunger. He did not depart by running out the door; instead He miraculously vanished.
We will continue this study in our next lesson.