A Devotion from Rev. Dwayne Schroeder based on Luke 24:13-35.
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So, he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 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?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.
On the road to Emmaus, two disciples were walking and talking about what happened Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Jerusalem. During that 7-mile walk, the disciples were recalling what happened to Jesus, their Teacher, and how their hopes had been dashed. If only Jesus were still alive than more people would know who He really is, but He was dead (so they thought).
As two disciples walked to Emmaus, the finality of a crucifixion had faltered their faith. Jesus died. Even though they heard about the stone being rolled away and the empty tomb from some women, they doubted because no one comes back from the dead (so they thought).
What needs to happen in order for someone to believe that something is true? As two disciples walked and talked about what happened to their ‘Teacher’, they remembered everything they saw Him do, they remembered what He said, and as they were thinking about Him, they wondered if anything they were remembering was ‘true’.
What is necessary for you to believe that something is true? Consider a mother’s love; how do you know that your mother loves you? Is it her words or deeds that proves she loves you? How does she know if you love her? Do your words express your love for her? Do your deeds show her that you care for her?
How do you know that God loves you? Is God’s Word your proof that He loves you? Is Christ’ death on the cross your assurance that God loves you? What does God see as you live your faith in Him?
Is it time to be still and know that God is God and His love higher, wider, and deeper than anything you can imagine? Is it time to take a 7-mile walk (or have a 7-minute talk) with God in prayer? Life has changed since the coronavirus and a pandemic has isolated us, has defined what we can do and not do, has reduced income, and caused us much anxiety. Who better to spend time with than God? Sure, some restrictions are being lifted, but there are things we are to do because we believe God loves us and His loves motivates us look beyond what we think we know and to trust what God has done, can do, and will do so we will go and tell that Jesus is ALIVE and so are we.
After Jesus interpreted for the disciples what God declared through Moses and all the Prophets concerning Himself, He sat down with them and broke bread. When the bread was broken, two disciples remembered what Jesus said about the things that happened Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Jerusalem and they believed saying, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”
Jesus opened the disciple’s eyes at a dinner table, and their hunger switched from food for the stomach to food for the soul. Their eyes were opened, and everything fell into place. Their hope was restored, and they ran back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples what happened to them as they walked 7-miles to Emmaus and ran back to Jerusalem.
This might be a good day to take a walk, to walk and talk with Mom or Dad, or to pray to your Lord and Savior and listen to what He has to say today. And then praise God for the hope you have and the life that is blessed. God is faithful, He loves you, and He has risen indeed.
Let us pray: ...Amen.
