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,

The telling of the tale, the walk to Emmaus usually stops here. This turning is important and the reasoning is sound. They spoke of Jesus of Nazareth as being a prophet and then related their hopes dashed, for Jesus had not redeemed Israel from Rome.

This turning came after the risen Christ revealed Himself to them. They saw Him in a different light. He was now more than a prophet. He was the risen Christ. The following verses reveal the continuing saga of this turning. A turning with purpose.

Luke 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

They became witnesses of the risen Lord to the eleven. Why the eleven? Because of what transpired in the next verses.

Luke 24:36-37 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

Even men who had walked with Jesus, heard His words, and believed in Him as a man, needed to hear that witness so that they might understand, even a savior revealed does not on its own quell the fears and doubts that arises within the minds of men.

Luke 24:38-39 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.

If it was that difficult for men who saw and knew Jesus in the flesh to receive Him in His resurrected form, how much more important is it for your witness to assuage the fears and doubts of those who are meeting your Savior for the first time?