While Jesus walked this earth He lived with purpose; to teach and lead all to His Father. But it was easy to hear Him, right?! He was right in front of them. He lived with them.
From the account in Luke 24:15-49 I see some lessons for us.
After Jesus had been crucified and had risen from the dead and walked and talked among His Disciples and others, He showed us that He will help us hear...He will open our eyes.
📖 15 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. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
He wanted to listen! He wanted to hear what they had to say. He wants to hear us too!
17They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What things?” he asked.
He knew "what things"...but wanted them to communicate with Him. To say our loud all that was in their hearts.
19 “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
These men talked about their sorrow and their pain and their uncertainty.
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
It may sound like Jesus was being harsh here...but I read it as "you silly children, don't you remember all that you have learned?"" Like your mother always said. "Why don't you use the brain God gave you!" Then He went through it all again...as a patient, loving parent. He wanted them to know.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
It still may not have been revealed to them that this Man was actually Jesus Himself. But they did not want to part company, because something deep within them wanted to be with Him...to keep that connection. We all have that...that deep need to know Jesus. To have Him with us in our lives, but we have to choose it. He is there beside us waiting for us to ask "please, come in...stay with me."
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
When He broke bread with them....something ordinary.....the Spirit turned on the light bulb! Their eyes were opened to who He was. But He disappeared, because once they saw Him for who He was, and recognized that the "burning in their hearts" told them they knew all along, they didn't need His physical presence.
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
They had seen and heard and were given assurance...and they were going to make sure to tell the others. To spread the word that He was alive and that He opened their eyes!
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
He comes and again appears to them physically to give validity to what the two were witnessing about and to calm them...He wanted them to be at peace, so that they could see and hear the truth.
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
I personally love the fact that it is around something so simple and everyday ...sharing a meal...that He opens the eyes of those with Him.
I believe we need to makes sure Jesus is a part of our every day, even our mundane so that He can open our eyes to His presence, His word and His truth.
We shouldn't take "grace" or "the blessing" over our meal lightly. These were important moments and can be for us as well. If we take the time to walk with Him, listen, to communicate with Him, tell Him what is on our hearts...He will open our eyes to His truth that He desires us to see. And we will be changed! These men "knew" all this already...with head knowledge. But what an amazing transformation when their eyes were opened to the presence of Jesus and were reminded of all the truths they already had known.
🙏🏼 Lord we are grateful You desire to hear us and to be with us. I pray we take the time to walk with You. I pray You open our eyes to what You want us to see.
📖 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18-19. AMEN♥️
No comments:
Post a Comment