(Luke 24:13-35)
Two followers of Jesus, one whose name was Cleopas, were walking along the road to the village of Emmaus. They were in deep discussion about the events that had conspired concerning Jesus, when Jesus Himself drew near and began walking with them. Yet, God kept them from recognizing Jesus. Jesus asked them what they had been talking about. The men stopped walking and looked sad. Cleopas then asked Jesus if He was the only one who hadn't heard the news about what had happened the last few days. They recounted how Jesus was a prophet of God who was mighty in word and deed before God and all the people. They described how the chief priests reacted to Jesus and how Jesus was crucified saying, "We had hoped He was the one to redeem Israel." They went on to tell about the discovery of the empty tomb and the angels who said Jesus was alive. (I can't help but feel joy bubble up as I read Jesus' gentle but admonishing response,) "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. To have Jesus Himself taking them through the Old Testament prophesies, explaining the sacrificial system and why the Son had to be sacrificed and then going through the words of prophets telling of the coming Messiah and how He would be sacrificed and rise again should have stopped them in their tracks! But not until that evening when they stopped and began their supper, were their eyes opened. Jesus sitting at the table with them, took the bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to them. It was then that they realized it was Him and just like that, Jesus vanished. With excitement, they said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" They did hesitate, but went right to Jerusalem and found the eleven disciples. They announced to them, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Yes, Jesus had appeared to Simon Peter as well, who for the last two days had been broken over his sin of publicly denying Jesus. Meeting Simon Peter before appearing to the other men meant Jesus had compassion on him, a sinner, and came to offer him His healing grace. What joy to not only see Jesus alive again but then to be found and forgiven!
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AuthorJennifer Szczyrbak is an artist, a daughter, a wife and a mom who is learning, growing and being transformed day by day by the God of the universe who knows her better than she knows herself. Archives
December 2019
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