Resurrection—Now
What?
I’m no theologian so my futile attempt to categorize
the events leading up to the Pentecost will probably not be as accurate as some
might desire. However, my journey is not
to put together exact times, but to experience the flow of events found within
the four gospels surrounding the time from Christ’s resurrection to His ascent
into Heaven and the deliverance of the Holy Spirit. While
they may not be in exact order, the journey today takes us to Mark and Luke
where the famous Road to Emmaus scene occurs.
Join me today with open eyes as we ask ourselves, Who are we walking
with down this road of life?
“Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.” Mark 16:12-13
“Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. Together they were discussing everything that had taken place.” Luke 24:13-14
After hearing the news from the women regarding the
tomb being empty and their testimony of having seen the risen Lord, two men
leave Jerusalem. The Passover Feast has
been observed and they, along with many others, are probably on their way back
to their homes and their jobs. As they
are walking, they begin a deep discussion and even argument regarding the
events they had witnessed over the past three days. What was it these two men were arguing
over? Jesus asks them the same question?
“And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing Him. Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having with each other as you are walking?” Luke 24:15-17a
Have you ever been walking on a jogging trail in a
park and you know there is someone behind you that wants to get by. Being the courteous person you are, you slow
down and scoot further to the side to allow them to pass. With many people traveling on the road, these
two men must have felt someone approaching them from behind and as is natural,
scooted over. But to their amazement,
this person slows down to their pace and not only begins to walk with them but
even meddles in their conversation. Now
if someone was to come up to me as I was walking along the road, interrupted my
conversation and interfered with my business, I would be extremely
offended. Oh wait. Do I get that way with Jesus sometimes
too? Don’t I assume I can figure things
out on my own and even disagree with fellow believers about the events Christ
is doing today?
“And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.” Luke 24:17b
They stop. Not
only do they stop, but the weight of the events from the past three days are
visibly displayed on their faces. They
are discouraged. Their hope of deliverance
has been taken from them. With
aggravation one responds…
“The one named Cleopa answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?” “What things?” He asked them. So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him. But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.” Luke 24:18-24
How do the two men describe
Jesus? They label Him: 1) Jesus the
Nazarene, 2) a prophet, 3) powerful in action and speech before God and all
people, and 4) place their hope in His ability to redeem Israel. I, myself, am forced to ask the question, How
do I describe Jesus? Is my description
of Jesus one that makes Jesus fit into my mold and my view of who I think He
should be or is it the description God gives regarding His Son, Jesus Christ?
“He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther. But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.” Luke 24:25-29
At some point from when the men
stopped in discouragement, the three must have naturally picked up their walk
towards Emmaus. Jesus, in His humble and
authoritative way, interprets correctly the events they have witnessed as they
continue their seven mile journey. Let’s
just assume it takes about two hours to walk seven miles. So over the course of two hours, Jesus begins
with Moses and all the Prophets and interprets everything concerning Himself
within the Scriptures. Can you imagine
listening for that long without interrupting?
For the most part we never stop to listen to God for even five
minutes. Sure we pray frequently, but too
often we come to the Lord in prayer and talk, talk, talk, and then say Amen
without kneeling before Him in quietness and stillness to hear His still small
voice in the wind.
“It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight.” Luke 24:30-31
When did the men recognize the
Jesus the Messiah? It was only when God
opened their eyes. Last week we begged
God to open our eyes so that we might see Him.
The realization we can do nothing apart from Him strikes home. He is the one that gives us the faith to believe
in what is unseen.
“So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, who said, “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” Luke 24:32-35
They got up that very hour and
walked another seven miles back to Jerusalem to tell the disciples. When God opens our eyes we can’t help but go
and share it with others. We are
compelled to tell what we have seen.
My Heart’s Prayer: Lord, even in the most difficult times the
truth is you are still with us. You desire
to explain and open our eyes to the work You are doing even when it appears
dark and hopeless. Help me to trust in
You through it all. Draw me to Your
side. Help me to listen as You share
with me the things that concern You.
Help me to share with others what You reveal to me. In Jesus name, I sit and wait to hear your
voice…
Footprints
One night I had a
dream--I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,
one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the path of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
and saddest times in my life.
This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you would walk with me all the way,
but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life
there is only one set of footprints.
"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,
you should leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,
I love you and I would never, never leave you
during your times of trial and suffering.
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."
...Mary Stevenson
No comments:
Post a Comment