He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"
Luke 24:25-26

Later on Resurrection Day, Jesus caught up with two of the disciples as they walked to the nearby town of Emmaus. One of these men was named, Cleopas, and we do not know the name of the other. We don’t really know who Cleopas was for that matter. He was not one of the twelve disciples (his name appears in no listings of them). All we know is that he was a “disciple.” All who followed Jesus were disciples, but not all were among “the twelve.” We do know that Cleopas and his unnamed companion were troubled, understandably, by Jesus’ crucifixion, and did not know of the Resurrection.

Jesus joined them on their journey to Emmaus. It was around seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus so they had some time to talk. Jesus chided them, saying they were foolish, not only for not believing the women who spoke of Jesus’ resurrection, but for not knowing the scriptures that said the Messiah had to suffer.

Have you ever explained something to someone and they totally didn’t get what you told them? Jesus, the greatest Prophet, told the disciples about His impending death and resurrection—several times. But they didn’t get it. It is understandable, but consider how much of God’s Word we don’t understand. Some of it is not easily understandable. Most of it is, and yet we often, like Cleopas and his companion, fail to get it.

A professor in seminary once told a class I was in, “The Bible doesn’t reveal it’s treasures to lazy students!” We have to apply ourselves to study.

In addition, all the study of God’s Word in the world, without the illumination of the Holy Spirit is merely head knowledge rather than true understanding. We have to pray, asking the Lord to teach us.