From the perspective of the Emmaus narrative in Luke 24, this study is a literary critical analysis of Jesus' table fellowship as an expression of the eschatological kingdom. The first time Jesus is recognized by faith as the crucified and now risen Messiah occurs at Emmaus through his teaching "on the road" and "in the breaking of the bread." Emmaus is the transition between the meals of Jesus and early Christian meals, setting the pattern of Christian worship as one of word and meal.

For the church fathers the Gospels did not serve as resources for individual analysis and academic study. They were read and heard and interpreted within the worshiping community. They served as sources for pastoral counsel and admonition for those who were committed to the Way. Although Matthew and John were generally the preferred Gospels, Luke, because of his particular interests and unique contributions, took pride of place during the Christmas season as well as during Easter and other major feasts. During the early patristic period, the tradition of continuous reading lectio...