One minute I had it; the next minute, I didn’t. How could I have lost it? I looked around, remembering when I had last noticed it—my favorite red bracelet, a gift from my older son. But no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find it. Finally, despite my sorrow, I reminded myself that it was only a piece of jewelry, not someone I loved. So, imagine my surprise several weeks later when I moved the car seat and discovered my lost bracelet. It had been there all along, hidden in plain sight and waiting to be discovered. What else is waiting?

Dashed Dreams

Three days after Jesus’ crucifixion, some women reported his missing body and the angel’s words about the resurrection to the disciples. But the men refused to believe it because the information came from women. 

Later that day, Cleopas and another follower (His wife? Peter? Luke? Someone else?) discussed recent events as they left the fellowship of believers and traveled toward Emmaus. Disillusioned and disappointed, they tried to reconcile what they expected—what they thought Scripture said—with what happened. They presumed Jesus would free Israel from Rome’s bondage; instead, he died a disgraceful death. Shame and hopelessness weighed on their hearts.

A Mysterious Stranger

Soon, Jesus joined the disciples’ journey, but his identity was hidden from them. Perhaps, their expectations and emotions blinded them. Moreover, his apparent ignorance of the day’s biggest news shocked them. After all, crucifixions were public affairs, and the report of a missing body would travel fast. So they revealed their disappointment and confusion, relating the correct facts but drawing the wrong conclusions.

Jesus rebuked them for failing to recognize the truth hidden in Scripture: the Messiah’s suffering was his path to glory. Did they only believe the parts of the Bible that agreed with their pre-conceived ideas? Then Jesus explained how the crucifixion confirmed rather than negated his identity as the Messiah. 

When Jesus acted as if he were traveling further, his companions urged him to stay the night. The expected hospitality provided a good excuse because their hearts burned with a desire to hear more.

Hidden No More

Although Jesus was a guest in their home, he assumed the host position.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 

Luke 24:30

As soon as Jesus performed those actions, Cleopas and the other disciple recognized him. Perhaps they had been present when he took the loaves, gave thanks, and broke the bread before feeding 5,000 men (Matthew 14:19) or when he repeated the same steps in feeding 4,00 (Matthew 15:36). Whatever the trigger, they turned to one another in astonishment—the Messiah had hidden in plain sight! His mission accomplished, Jesus disappeared. Then his overjoyed followers returned to Jerusalem.

The Symbolism of Bread

Bread is a potent symbol in Judaism and Christianity that points to God’s provision and presence. 

• The Passover meal and Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded Jews of the exodus and God’s daily provision of manna in the wilderness. Plus, God directed them to keep the bread of the Presence always before him. In addition, bread in ancient Israel was necessary for life.
• The Lord’s Prayer included a request for daily bread. Later, Jesus fed thousands of people with only a few loaves and fish. He also referred to himself as the bread of life and used the broken bread of the Passover meal to symbolize his broken body.

Hidden By Us or From Us?

What blinds us to God’s presence? Scripture tells us he’s always present, yet he sometimes seems hidden. Maybe our inability to see God isn’t because he’s invisible but because our presumptions limit our perception. What then?

• Check our expectations. Psychologists tell us we see what we expect. The two on the road to Emmaus failed to recognize the resurrected Savior because they didn’t believe they would see him. It’s not that seeing is believing, but that believing enables us to see.
• Continue looking. God reveals himself to those who search for him. The disciples persisted in trying to make sense of what they had seen and heard by discussing with one another and with an unknown companion, who then opened their eyes to messianic truths hidden in Scripture.
• Connect the past to the present. The disciples associated the symbols in God’s Word with the Living Word when they heard Jesus’ prayer and saw him breaking bread. Then they quickly converted their revitalized faith into action as they rushed to reaffirm the fantastic news of Jesus’ resurrection.

When Jesus joined the travelers on the road to Emmaus, he showed God’s heart to seek those who seek him. He wants to be found but refuses to limit himself to our expectations. Are you open to his surprises today? Are you ready to share them?