Are You Only a Stranger in Jerusalem? - Luke 24:18

Luke the beloved physician wrote after women told the disciples about Jesus being raised from the dead, “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that you have one to another, as you walk, and are sad?”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse eighteen of his book Luke shared how, “one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem?” where we read:

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

The verse reads, “And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Are you only a stranger in Jerusalem, ...” Luke began with the words, “And the one of them” or “and a particular one of Jesus' two disciples”, “whose name was Cleopas” which means “who was called Cleopas which means of a renowned father”, “answering” or “responding and beginning to speak” “said unto him” which means “uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Jesus”, “Are you only a stranger” or “do you exist as solely, merely, destitute of help and alone a sojourner” “in Jerusalem” which means “within the city of Jerusalem which means set you double peace and was the capital of Palestine”. Luke shared how “one” of the “two disciples” of Jesus who were walking asked Him whether He was “only a sojourner” in “Jerusalem” and did not know the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” Luke continued with the words, “and have not known the things” which means “and were unaware, unacquainted with and did not perceive everything” “which are come to pass” or “that have happened or come into existence” “there in these days” which means “within Jerusalem during the previous sunrises to sunsets”? Luke shared how “Cleopas” asked Jesus if He was unaware of everything that happened in the city of “Jerusalem” over the past few days.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn the name of one of the “two disciples” who were traveling to “Emmaus”. “Cleopas” was amazed that Jesus did not know what they were discussing as they walked, and he questioned Jesus as to whether He was only a “stranger” or “sojourner” in the city of “Jerusalem”. It is interesting to think that “Cleopas” thought Jesus was the uninformed one, and yet, he was speaking with the Son of God, Jesus, who knows everything. Sometimes people draw conclusions concerning God that are ill-advised, and when they discover the truth, they not only are surprised, but they are humbled as well. God does not reveal everything to us, and this is why “faith” in Him through His Son Jesus is so important. Rather than “know” everything, we simply “know” the One who knows all. Those who are wise will submit to Him and allow everything that is unknown to be in His control.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus said unto them, “what things?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".