Lent Devotional April 5, 2026

Scripture

Luke 24:13-35

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. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19 He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see him.” 25 Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

28 As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29 But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem, and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Devotion

Elder Hunter Steinitz ’22

The road to Emmaus is one of those stories that gets right to the heart of who God is and how we are drawn into relationship with God. The gospel writer seems to be panning the camera away from the “action” at the tomb and toward the stranger who breaks bread with his companions. It is in the sharing of food at a table that God reveals Godself—not just on Easter, but every day, at every table where we sit down. Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord who conquered death! But we do not just celebrate this once a year; we are Easter people! We live in the light of the resurrection every day. And as Easter people, we search for God in the tangible.

As we sit down to our Easter spread, how are we encountering God in our midst? What will be revealed to us in the breaking of bread? The mystery found at the Table is found at every table, and it unites all of us into a truth deeper than ourselves. Sara Miles, in her book Take This Bread, puts it this way:

All of it pointed to a force stronger than the anxious formulas of religion: a radically inclusive love that accompanied people in the most ordinary of actions—eating, drinking, walking—and stayed with them, through fear, evenpast death. That love meant giving yourself to feed and live for others. The stories illuminated the holiness located in mortal human bodies, and the promise that people could see God by cherishing all those different bodies theway God did.

As we gather around our tables to celebrate with those we love, I will be looking for the stranger in the midst of familiar faces. As we begin to eat together, I will be savoring the love poured out in flavors and textures. As we embrace one another, I will feel the touch of God in the arms of the other mortals at the Table.

Prayer

Oh sacred head once wounded, we praise You in Your victory over death! In your resurrection, your body is broken and whole, mortal and eternal. Be with us, Lord, as we gather at our tables. Remind us that all tables are Your Table. Unveil Your mystery and pour out Your love through the bread that we break together. In Your holy and victorious name, Alleluia and Amen!

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