Wednesday, April 15
On the Road to Emmaus
On the day of his resurrection Jesus appeared to several individuals.
His appearance to the two men on the 7-mile walk to Emmaus has a very interesting storyline. Those followers of Jesus were confused. They couldn’t make sense of the weekend. On Friday, their Lord was crucified and placed in a tomb. Now, on Sunday, they had heard that some of the women were reporting that Jesus was alive. As they were walking to the village of Emmaus, they discussed the perplexing developments. Then Jesus joined them, but they didn’t recognize him. You can read the full story in
Luke 24:13-35
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For today’s devotion, I invite you to consider this connection between the Emmaus disciples and our lives. Confused, perplexed, bewildered. Those words could describe their situation and ours today. Who can make sense of the pandemic? What does tomorrow hold? How does this get better? If we look to our own knowledge, or even the knowledge of the “experts” there is still so much uncertainty. We know to be safe and prudent. We know to turn from anxiety and put our trust in God. But how do we do that, day by day?
In this story of the Emmaus disciples, Jesus turned the thoughts of the two men from their own viewpoint to the perspective of the Scriptures.
“Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”
(Luke 24:27) Jesus took them to something which was not chaotic. He took them to truths which were reliable. He took them to the Word of God. Later after they recognized Jesus and then Jesus disappeared, they remarked:
“Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32 Jesus knew the power of the Scriptures. He certainly was aware of this promise from the Psalm;
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
(Psalm 119:105)
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Thus, instead of simply saying:
“
hello brothers, it’s me,” Jesus Christ let the Scriptures be the foundation for hope and inspiration.
How is Jesus Christ inviting you to connect to Him through His Word, the Bible?
What hope do you find as you put your trust in the truths that God has revealed in His Word?
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus Christ, that through your resurrection I am connected to your Word forever. Help me devote more attention to your Word than to the uncertainties and chaos of the day. Let your Word guide me to live responsibly and to be a blessing to those around me. Amen.
