Today’s passage is a bit longer, but we invite you to take your time reading it. Imagine yourself in this story, walking with Jesus in the midst of confusion, grief, and hopelessness.
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. 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?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
The one named Cleopas 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 of Nazareth, 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.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah 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.
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. They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning 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 truly 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 24:13-35 (CSB)
The two disciples were walking in the suspended days between Jesus’ death and resurrection. After following Him all those years, they must’ve felt abandoned and empty, lost and bewildered. As they argued, were they hashing out with one another was and wasn’t true? And in the midst of their arguing and grieving, Jesus shows up and walks with them. He explains the truth about Himself again and shares a meal with them, as He probably had done many times before, and in the breaking of bread, they realize who He is.
We seem to be living in suspended days as well. Every day, we try to figure out what we’re supposed to do, and it’s confusing. We seem to be sheep without a shepherd as we navigate this pandemic, but God will show up here and now. We are not without our Leader, our Shepherd, our God. Through a meal or someone’s kindness, through overwhelming generosity or someone’s gentle answer, through His Word and through Zoom prayer meetings, we can see Him still.
Lord, teach us again Your truth during this time. Show up as You did then for the disciples on the road to Emmaus and burn within our hearts the hope of Your resurrection. Amen.
[bctt tweet=”Through a meal or someone’s kindness, through overwhelming generosity or someone’s gentle answer, through His Word and through Zoom prayer meetings, we can see Him still. ” username=”incourage”]
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Amen!
Jas, are you still working at your new job during this crisis? You are still in my prayers every morning. God is with us.
Irene, sorry for the late reply! Yes I am! I have not stopped working however two days before lockdown we were given 48hrs notice to work from home. My boss and team we all moved our work stations home and honestly I have been working remotely ever since.
It’s a juggle with helping kids and online learning. They have slightly eased restrictions since last Tuesday of this past week but kids are still home and only difference is a tad bit more freedom of movement and if we wanted the takeaways and takeaway coffee is allowed. Construction and dome can go back to work.
I understand from the news things in America are very different to New Zealand. Our government was very strict with lockdown. Even more so than Australia (my true home).
I pray for us all and you guys over there. I hope you are safe and your family. Thank you for your prayers! I am praying for you!
Love Jas
In Courage,
I often wonder if God is using this pandemic to get our attention. He did that so many times in the Bible. We, as a nation, have gone astray doing whatever we wanted & disregarding God & His law. Now He is having us slow down enough to realize that we need to come back to Him. He is the only one who can get us through this. He can provide the strength & endurance it takes to be with little one all day. Parents you are being asked to become teachers, work from home, entertainers, & so much more. All without time alone for yourself. He has always been there for us. We were just to busy rushing form one activity to the next to notice Him. Now we have plenty of time to have conversations with Him. Take this opportunity to be with Him. Call, text or write friends do a zoom chat, listen to Christian music or preachers. Take this opportunity to get closer to God.
Blessings 🙂
God sends his son Jesus. Jesus to walk with us every day. Only we his followers take at time our eyes of following Jesus. We get into worry. We panic. We can get caught up in the pandemic of all that is going on in our world at this time. Especially with this Covid 19. Especially if we are people who own our own businesses or husband if married who own their own businesses. Or worried about work. How to pay bills. Our if on our own with kids. Especially if got kids or kids got special needs it hard. Or if living on or one Wondering how to cope. We can get stressed out down and depressed. Ask questions how will the bills that need paid get paid like rent mortgage it goes on. That child with special needs we don’t get a brake if on our own with them. It hard. No understands we think. There are others like us. Jesus is there he does walk with us in our pain our hurt our stress. Try if have a friend text or call them. If not been in touch with your Church or they not been in touch with you for a while. Maybe Jesus is saying. For you pray to him to help you to be big and brave to pick up your mobile and phone your Minister or Pastor or Salvation Army Officer who every your Church leader is say. Hay I could do with help at this time. I know you can’t come to house at this. But I could do with someone to chat with. Some to walk my dog. If have one. Someone to go get medical suff for me or some shopping etc. Leave it at the door. They will probably say that not a problem we be glad to help you. Pray with you on the mobile or the phone. You will glad you prayed and asked Jesus to give you the strength to ask for help. Rather than let all get on top of you. You make yourself ill. Then like in today’s reading in Luke verse 32 your heart will like them feel warm again because you done what Jesus gave you the help to do and that was ask for help for yourself. You will feel so much happier in yourself. Love today’s reading. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xxx
This is my favorite story. Jesus is so straightforward, and yet they do not recognize Him. It reminds me that we are all human, and that we all must remember that Jesus will show up for us in ways we do not expect. It also reminds me that He WILL show up in ways we do expect as well – the breaking of the bread in this story is why I go to Mass. Every day, all over the world, bread is broken and Jesus becomes present before the eyes of all who are there to witness it. Some keep their eyes closed, but many have their eyes opened, and they see Him, and they receive Him in the most intimate way possible on this earth. What more could He have done to become present for us? His humility humbles me. After this pandemic, I hope people are flocking to Mass to receive Him wholly in the Eucharist.