By Keith Short

It was an early morning stroll along the beach. It was one of those quiet mornings, nothing really happening, and it seemed as if all was fine. Our conversation was mostly small talk. We were not planning anything special. You know how it goes: “What do you think we should do today?” “What do you want to do today?” Just normal small talk, nothing exciting was happening. Just a beautiful day to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Everything Changed

But then—everything changed. You have been in those situations when all was fine and the next moment everything was different. Perhaps you were enjoying a ride in your car and then someone pulled out in front of you. You were doing what you had planned on doing, and everything was going just fine. But then the unexpected happened, and it changed everything. Maybe it was a call from your doctor, a friend you have not heard from in many years, or maybe a family member. And in that moment, what the person says to you changes everything.

As the two disciples were walking to a village named Emmaus, it must have been the same situation. Their minds were on all that had just happened to Jesus. And suddenly a third person appears and becomes involved in their conversation. Actually the third person seems to fit right into the conversation, as if he had been there all along. 

But Wait

It is a great feeling to have someone join in and the conversation does not die nor is it slowed down but just continues to flow freely. The conversion earlier had centered on “Jesus . .  a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). They were hoping that he was going to redeem Israel, but this dream ended with the death of Jesus. That changed everything. 

But wait—everything was going to change again when it was revealed to them that this one who had joined in on the conversation was, in fact, Jesus. What great news to discover that Jesus had gone from suffering to glory. 

Keith Short is the preaching minister of Community Christian Church in London, Kentucky. He and his wife, Aleta, have been married for 44 years and have two married sons and one granddaughter.