Yeshua’s storytelling on the road to Emmaus
Review of "God With Us" by Matt Mikalatos.
God with Us: Bible Stories on the Road to Emmaus
By Matt Mikalatos
Illustrated by David Shephard
WaterBrook, 2025
In his introduction to his graphic novel which imagines the possible stories and interactions Jesus – whom he calls Yeshua, his Hebrew name – might have had on the Emmaus Road, author Matt Mikalatos asserts that comic books and the Bible have much in common: “Pretty much every story you like comes in comic form …The Bible has all kinds of stories too. There are funny stories, like the one with the guy who is supposed to speak up for God but won’t, so God sends a fish to eat him (and then puke him up.) There are adventure stories and stories that are pure history and romances, like Ruth and Boaz, and amazing superhero-type stories, like the one with the guy who is so strong he can tear down a temple with his bare hands! Pretty much any kind of story you like, the Bible has a story like that.”
Mikalatos’s storytelling displays his love for Yeshua and the Bible and combines effectively with illustrator David Shephard’s emotive, buoyant artwork portraying historical details about life at that time. Readers will find their imaginations expanded about what might have happened as Yeshua walked on the road to Emmaus with Cleopas and another disciple. Two young children are included in this creative retelling, each adding their insights and perspectives on the stories Yeshua told.
Mikalatos effectively makes connections for the travellers accompanying Yeshua (and for us) between Old Testament stories and their fulfillment in Yeshua’s incarnation, life, death and resurrection. For example, in his section entitled “Beginning,” Mikalatos portrays Yeshua narrating the story of the creation of the world, the announcement of Yeshua’s coming, and the birth of John the Baptist. In the chapter “Daily Bread,” the author makes connections between the story of Elisha and a poor widow, Yeshua’s feeding of more than five thousand people, the Lord’s Prayer, the story of Ruth and Boaz and the parable of the feast.
Recommended for children ages 8 to 12, this insightful and inspiring book could also appeal to teens and adults. Though no previous Bible knowledge is necessary to enjoy the stories and illustrations, it will prove helpful in making the links between the Old Testament and the New Testament narratives.
