December 26

The Walk to Emmaus

And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them. — Luke 24:15 BSB

As these two friends walked together with heavy hearts, their conversation focused entirely on their sorrow and their loss of Jesus. They were so absorbed in their grief that they didn’t notice a stranger approaching and walking with them. Jesus always draws near when His friends speak of Him. In the Old Testament, it is said that when God’s people gather and speak of sacred things, the Lord listens and keeps a book of remembrance.

Here, we see something more: when two of Christ’s friends talk about Him, He comes and joins them. How much we miss when we spend hours together, talking about trivial things—gossip, criticisms, and scandals—but never speak a word of Christ. Does anyone think that the Lord listens with pleasure to such conversation, or records it in His book of remembrance? Of course, He hears every word, but He doesn’t take delight in it as He does when His people speak of Him and His kingdom.

Imagine how much richer our conversations would be if we spoke of Christ and His love. He would draw near and join us, filling our hearts with the joy of His presence. Shouldn’t we, then, speak more often of our Lord when we gather?