THURSDAY

Apr 9, 2026

Luke 24:13-35

So what is it about you that makes you recognizable to others? The way you look? A certain way you speak? A distinctive way you walk? Could it be the way you are with people? If you changed your appearance, how else might people recognize you?

One of the things that is interesting about the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus is that Jesus is not usually recognized by the way he looks. In fact, it’s often not until someone is with him awhile, or something happens that causes the lights to suddenly come on, that people recognize that they have been with Jesus. Today’s passage is another example of this. It is not that Jesus is hiding, but rather, perhaps, that he is trying to help us be more attentive to the things that really reflect who we are, who God is, and how we can discern God at work. While there is much more we could say about that, let’s notice how this surfaces in today’s passage. As you take a few moments to prayerfully reflect on the story of these two disciples on their way home after a difficult and confusing couple of days, consider the following questions:

• In what ways can you relate to the experience of these disciples who were trying to make sense out of what had just happened?

• Jesus does not ask them to stop or come with him, but rather joins them on their journey and listens to their story. What does that suggest to you?

• After listening to their story, Jesus shares with them a larger story that provides a rich and meaningful way to understand what they had just been through. What are some of the ways Jesus might do that for you?

• It was when they were sitting at the table, breaking bread together, that they finally realized that it was Jesus who had been with them the whole way. Why do you suppose that was? What significance does this have?

• Notice how their lives were impacted by the realization that God was indeed with them—on the journey itself, when breaking bread together, and afterwards? How might your day go differently if that realization were to fully sink in for you today?