Walking Together

“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him…
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him…”
—Luke 24:13–16, 30–31

Last week, I had the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful walks with my wife and teenage kids. We were in the Virginia mountains for a few days after Easter. We hiked up rocky ledges filled with boulders, walked along waterfalls (80% of us jumped in!), and ate snacks along rock outcroppings. It was meaningful time; many conversations took place that otherwise wouldn't have.

There’s something that happens when you walk alongside others. Devices aren’t central. Tasks and distractions are minimal. And connection opens up in fresh ways.

During our brunch church gathering this past Sunday, we read the Emmaus road passage from Luke's gospel, and reflected a bit on why walking together and eating together were foundational in this story. There’s no denying that sharing an experience opens us up to new connections we might not otherwise find. I find it fascinating that Jesus doesn’t meet the Emmaus road disciples in the morning while they’re praying, or when they pause for a short rest and a drink of water. Rather, he joins them on their walk — just “walking along with them.”

We don’t do enough walking together and eating together lately. But those are often the places in life where Jesus shows up.

A few weeks ago, I was involved in a peace walk sponsored by my interfaith clergy group. For 20 minutes, I walked alongside my new friend Hayat, a dynamic Muslim peacemaker. She leads a community center that brings people from different backgrounds together in service. We had a wonderful conversation about the need for understanding and compassion across cultural and societal divides. On our walk, we spoke of the beauty of telling and listening to each other’s stories, and how sacred moments emerge as we serve, walk, and eat together — especially with people we assume are completely different from us.

The disciples in Luke 24 would later say that, while Jesus was walking with them and explaining the good news, their “hearts were burning within them.”

That’s often how I feel when meaningful connection happens — on a walk or over a meal. I begin to sense Jesus opening my eyes again. It’s how I feel when I go on a hike with my family or a walk with a friend. It seems like Jesus shows up among us and opens new doors for us to be changed along the way. And these days, I think that especially happens when we find ways to walk alongside others we might not normally find ourselves walking beside.

Let’s be unafraid to invite people to go for a walk in this Easter season. Let’s ask for eyes to see Jesus along the way as we do — and be filled with the good news that God is alive and drawing people together in hope and goodness.

"Walking" can take many forms for us. It could look like a coffee meeting, a stroll, sitting at a park, or even a playdate with another parent. 

Perhaps you can go for a walk today.
Who can you invite along with you?
I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus shows up, too.

Lord, keep appearing to me in surprising ways as I share life with others.

Peace,
Keith