Didn’t You Know You Were Walking With Jesus?
Good Morning Friends,
Life can be a bit of a maze. We get focused and anxious about the wrong turns. We can be walking with the answer but not have the right vantage point. In the rush of the moment we can forget to get around to asking the relevant questions. In our distress we can take the next step too quickly. We hear a voice and see a face yet our vision and hearing is clouded and muted. We fail to see and hear all that we should. We are uncertain, thinking we can retrace our steps, then in the depths of our disillusioned emotions Jesus comes to hold our hand and guide us with hope that we will discover
something very special. Didn’t You Know You Were Walking With Jesus?
Scripture: Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that 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 did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:13-32 (NRSV)
Message: There is much to for our souls to learn from a walk with the risen Savior Jesus on the road to Emmaus and it needs to be shared with others whose hearts are waiting to be freed. As we read today’s scripture it might dawn on you as it does me that it is really is one of the greatest texts for sharing about how our hearts can be opened to experience Jesus. And I probably do not need to tell you of the importance of sharing this relationship with all its hunger for knowing and visions and insights and passion for living the Christian life. But first, let us put ourselves in the shoes of these two men as they set out on the journey and its maze of emotions. They were still living in the events of Good Friday. They were trapped in their misery. They had erected a wall of hopelessness. We can sympathize with their bewilderment for we too, two thousand years later have been in the same position…too preoccupied to notice that Jesus is walking with us. Here we discover that being lost in a heart-breaking experience is not the end of the story. Weary travelers that we are, we are to lift our eyes and minds out of the dust of the earthly road we travel. We are to have a heart-searching experience that helps us to become aware of our predicament. And here the maze of symbols and scripture comes together in the cosmic struggle between life and death revealed in the glory and strength of Jesus’ presence with us. Here we revisit our anticipation of Jesus’ triumph over death and believe. Here as our heart burns with emotion and is balanced with reason and purpose. Here we discover the solution to the problem of the cross. Here we confront our free will as we invite others and the risen Jesus into our lives. Friends, when one encounters Jesus will one’s soul can be better fed on both scripture and in a communal meal with our Risen Lord. Friends, next time you take communion, next time you read scripture, let your Soul and the Spirit join in worship as you remember a walk with Jesus and how your eyes were opened to see…how your heart became passionate…how your very soul comes alive.
Pray we realize that frustration and discouragement can get us walking in the wrong direction, retracing our steps. Pray we realize that discouragement and frustration can get us thinking about the past not the future. Pray we realize that discouragement and frustration can get us questioning God’s care. Pray we pour out our emotions so that we can experience the remarkable revelation that Jesus is risen and we have hope that will not disappoint. Pray we recognize Jesus as the courteous companion in whom hope is found. Pray we allow the truth of the Holy Spirit to apply the truths of the word made flesh in our daily walk with Jesus. Pray we take, eat. Pray we move beyond heart break and heart searching to the heart cleansing experience of fellowship with risen Christ. Pray we have a desire to connect with scripture. Pray we have a desire to commune with Jesus. Pray we have a spiritual hunger to linger with Jesus. Pray we not take it for granted the honor to have Jesus reveal himself to us. Pray we have hearts set on fire with a passion for sharing the truth of our encounter. Pray our very souls come alive with an encounter with Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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