13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
Luke 24:13-14
We are looking at eye witnesses to the risen Christ. Some of us are like Mary Magdalene of last week who went to the tomb and then lingered afterwards in her grief. Jesus met her and called her name. It was a deep personal experience. That afternoon we meet two others, Cleopa and friend, who are headed away from Jerusalem but they are discussing the events that have just taken place. They seem to be headed in the wrong direction, away from the action. Maybe there was no room at the “inn.” Maybe they had to head home for work. It could be that Cleopa was a woman as her name sounds Roman and ends with an “a,” the female ending like with a similar name Cleopatra. Mary Magdalene is a known follower of Jesus but we know nothing about Cleopa. Cleopa and friend are somehow similar to the three wisemen who pop into the story line for only a short space but they represent God’s love that goes beyond the Jewish community to all people.
The verses challenge me to ponder where I am in my spiritual journey today. Am I deeply seeking Jesus and pondering the meaning for my life or am I intellectually challenged and curious but not that emotionally involved? In either case, God steps into reality. God does not wait for us to climb up to him and to understand the circumstances of our lifetimes, instead he seeks us out and meets us in the middle of our discussions.
I also note that God met Mary Magdalene as an individual and he met Cleopa and friend in community. We often put parameters and expectations around what a spiritual experience might look like but in fact our God is a God who works with believers and seekers, with individuals and groups and with people deep in prayer and people deep in discussion.
So where are you today? Are you heavy in heart with a question for the Lord or deep in discussion with deeper understanding being sought. God comes to us where we are if we are looking and listening. Thank you, Lord.
On the Way to Wonder 