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Luke 24:13-35 – On the Road to Emmaus (part 2 of 2)
This is part 2of2. In case, you haven't read the earlier post, please read the previous entry: "Significant moments in life .. Part 5".
From this passage, there’s yet another encouraging detail which we could so easily miss: this hapless pair was headed back to their ‘own world’, after witnessing something dramatic – didn’t seem like a significant event such as that, had affected their routine much.
What’s amazing is that these people had their ‘theology’ almost right (vs.19,20) – the only place where it was messed up was where they thought he was going to redeem Israel (vs.21); and what more, they were also up-to-date on the news (vs.22-24) – yet, they failed to recognize and see Jesus!
But once they had their ‘hearts enlightened’ (vs.30-32), they will turn around and immediately go right back to Jerusalem to report their findings (vs.33), to another group of confused lot – the disciples.
What are we confused about today?
Perhaps, we may have a perfect knowledge of who Christ is .. but if our hearts are not enlightened to the truth, then we will be in our own little world, oblivious to the fact, that Christ is walking with us – even when we are headed in the wrong direction!
And He does walk with us and stay with us .. in what seems an ordinary moment.
Let’s be open to receiving from Him, even when we are confused in life.
Those ordinary moments can bring about a historical change in our life.
Such moments can enlighten our hearts to something which the Lord wants to reveal to us.
And as we walk with Him and receive this understanding, we might be able to help others who are confused too!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Significant moments in life .. Part 5
Luke 24:13-35 – On the Road to Emmaus (part 1 of 2)
We just remembered Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday & celebrated His resurrection on Easter Sunday. And while reflecting on that most significant act ever in history, I am astonished yet again to see how an ordinary event can lead to extra-ordinary results.
I have taken the following concept from one of my favourite writers, Jeff Lucas on “Life Every Day”.
The joyous aspect of the resurrection of Jesus is that much of what goes on is just so ORDINARY. Think of it. It’s no hyperbole to say that He has just accomplished the greatest victory in the history of the Universe. Angels must be wondering what He will do next.
A whole six weeks will be spent on earth taking the apostles through the most incredible leadership training programme that has ever been.
But Jesus will also be mistaken for a gardener, a cook – cooking breakfast for some friends returning from a frustrating night shift (cf. John 21:12).
And as we see here, He also takes a walk with some distraught friends. They had experienced something extra-ordinary that evening, which saw them witness one of the greatest events in history.
Vs.15,16 – “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him”.
Though the English translation puts it very mildly that they were kept from recognizing Him, the original word here is ‘krateo’ ~ 'their eyes were kept under arrest or in custody' – the same word used to describe the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane by Matthew & Mark.
Perhaps, tiredness, disappointment, unbelief or a pre-occupation with just getting home after the most difficult week-end meant that Jesus was right there with them and they didn’t notice.
What kind of thoughts are we pre-occupied with today?
Are we tired with life? Are we disappointed the way things are going right now? Do we believe something which is not the truth, and so are under stress?
In the meantime, what is interesting to note is that Jesus journeys with them – which is an encouragement for those who have prodigals “out there”. Jesus is able to walk with them, even if they are headed in a direction which offers them no hope. Jesus ends the day by sharing supper in their home.
Now, all of this looks very pedestrian to me!
That’s the nature of our faith – the extra ordinary God walks with us through the mundane bits of life.
Yes, Jesus washed my sins away .. but I still have to do the cleaning up of the dishes, reconcile my bank statements, struggle through the traffic jams in the city, and do a host of other rather numbing things.
Do we see God active in these roles of our lives, or do we only see God active when we are worshipping Him and while serving Him in ‘sacred’ places?
We just remembered Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday & celebrated His resurrection on Easter Sunday. And while reflecting on that most significant act ever in history, I am astonished yet again to see how an ordinary event can lead to extra-ordinary results.
I have taken the following concept from one of my favourite writers, Jeff Lucas on “Life Every Day”.
The joyous aspect of the resurrection of Jesus is that much of what goes on is just so ORDINARY. Think of it. It’s no hyperbole to say that He has just accomplished the greatest victory in the history of the Universe. Angels must be wondering what He will do next.
A whole six weeks will be spent on earth taking the apostles through the most incredible leadership training programme that has ever been.
But Jesus will also be mistaken for a gardener, a cook – cooking breakfast for some friends returning from a frustrating night shift (cf. John 21:12).
And as we see here, He also takes a walk with some distraught friends. They had experienced something extra-ordinary that evening, which saw them witness one of the greatest events in history.
Vs.15,16 – “As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him”.
Though the English translation puts it very mildly that they were kept from recognizing Him, the original word here is ‘krateo’ ~ 'their eyes were kept under arrest or in custody' – the same word used to describe the arrest of Jesus in Gethsemane by Matthew & Mark.
Perhaps, tiredness, disappointment, unbelief or a pre-occupation with just getting home after the most difficult week-end meant that Jesus was right there with them and they didn’t notice.
What kind of thoughts are we pre-occupied with today?
Are we tired with life? Are we disappointed the way things are going right now? Do we believe something which is not the truth, and so are under stress?
In the meantime, what is interesting to note is that Jesus journeys with them – which is an encouragement for those who have prodigals “out there”. Jesus is able to walk with them, even if they are headed in a direction which offers them no hope. Jesus ends the day by sharing supper in their home.
Now, all of this looks very pedestrian to me!
That’s the nature of our faith – the extra ordinary God walks with us through the mundane bits of life.
Yes, Jesus washed my sins away .. but I still have to do the cleaning up of the dishes, reconcile my bank statements, struggle through the traffic jams in the city, and do a host of other rather numbing things.
Do we see God active in these roles of our lives, or do we only see God active when we are worshipping Him and while serving Him in ‘sacred’ places?
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