Luke 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

This verse appears towards the end of the telling of the walk to Emmaus. Luke places Emmaus about seven miles from Jerusalem. Very little is known about Emmaus except in its relationship to Jerusalem. If you look for clarity in the writings of others about Emmaus and why these men might have set out for Emmaus, the issues of where Emmaus was get more confusing.

The historian Josephus states that the name means hot springs. There are no hot springs to be found within seven miles of ancient Jerusalem. There are remains of a Roman bath, but is it likely that these disciples would be going there? Then there are those that lay claim it is the site of the Maccabean stronghold. Any of these can be claimed to be candidates for the location of Emmaus. But to what end?

The fact that the location and purpose for Emmaus is unknown is significant to our personal story in that we all travel a different road, with different destinations in mind, when we come to know the Risen Lord. What is important is that the encounter turned these men around and they went back to Jerusalem.

Here is the picture of repentance, a turning around from your life course and heading back towards God. We do not often make reference to this turning in the telling of the Emmaus story. The story is replete in the amount of lessons that can be seen in conversations, communion and discipleship. I would be remiss if I were not to point out that without a course correction none of that holds any value in your life.

Philippians 3:12 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Which celebrity do you know? Is it a singer, an actor, or perhaps even a television evangelist? Do you really know them or just know all about them? These days there is so much information available about celebrities it does seem like you know them, because so much of their life is very public. Fame will do that. Fame exposes celebrity to scrutiny.

How well do you know Jesus Christ? Do you read all that is written about Him? Have you read all or many of the commentaries that delve deeply into insights and background like a New York Times investigative reporter? Do you have all the skinny on this man God we call Lord of Lords and King of Kings?

Yes? Great!

Does your real world celebrity know you? Does this singer, actor or television personality know more about you than you know about yourself? No? I understand.

Does Jesus know you?

Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Here is a reply to the foolish virgins. Please note these were declared virgins, pure in the sight of men, harmless and worthy. Yet they did not gain access because the Lord did not know them.

So many know Jesus as celebrity and believe that all they have to do to obtain eternal life is to know and obey the scriptures and eternal life is theirs. What they failed to understand is that this is a relationship.

To properly understand, go to the door of your favorite celebrity, which you “know so well” and knock at that door.