On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 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?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 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.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen."
Or you can watch this passage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTb4UIbnOHE. Watch 3:57:25 to 4:00:45
Do you know who Stan Lee is? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Lee . Watch the following Youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_kpIzSCYS4 . You may have watched these 14 movies and never noticed Stan Lee because you didn't know who he is or you weren't looking for him. Yet he was there.
In this passage of scripture, Jesus walked among these two men on the road to Emmaeus and they didn't recognize Him. Before we are too hard on these guys, let me ask you a question - Did you recognize Jesus this week? He was walking with you everywhere you went yet you probably didn't notice. He was there when you were at the gym, at work, at baseball practice, at the grocery store, in your home - everywhere. Did you see Him? I don't mean literally, obviously, but did you see His hand involved in everything?
If there was one person in the Bible that saw God everywhere it was David. I especially like the story in 2Sam. 16:5-13 of David and Shimei.
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?’”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, my own flesh and blood, is trying to kill me. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt.
David was being falsely accused by this man and showered with stones and dirt, yet he didn't retaliate because he said basically, "I see God's hand in this and if it isn't, then God will see it and He will feel sorry for me." Is this how we react to bad things happening to us? Or do we just "see" God when good stuff happens? I can testify that at times of real closeness to the Lord I see Him in everything. When I'm distracted from Him, I see these divine appointments as irritations or interruptions to my schedule.
If seeing God in everything and "Practicing His Presence" is our goal in life, the question is how can we go from not being aware of Him to seeing Him? In this passage of scripture, on the road to Emmaeus, that is what happened to these disciples so maybe we can take some clues from Luke 24. I see 5 things that are hints to seeing Jesus more in our everyday walk.
#1. Travel in pairs - vs. 13
When Jesus sent his disciples out, he sent them in pairs. We read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
and in Prov. 27:17 that "iron sharpens iron". Paul went out in pairs on his trips. One of the strengths of Promise Keepers was their accountability pairs where you would meet during the week and ask certain questions to ensure they were in position to see Jesus in their lives.
It is difficult to be a lone Christian. Find someone of your own sex to be accountable to. Or maybe it's your spouse. Did you know studies show that couples that pray together have less than 1 in 100 chance of getting divorced? Meet with someone early in the morning and pray with them. I bet you will see Jesus that day.
#2. Have spiritual conversations- vs. 14,15, 19-24
What do you talk about with fellow believers? OK, March Maddness is worth discussing as are the kids, work, movies, TV, music so I'm not recommending a separation from sacred and secular or a monasterial life. However, how much time do you spend talking about what God has been teaching you this week or where you saw the Lord this week? If you want to see Jesus, your conversations should take your thoughts to Him. That is what true fellowship does.
#3. Spend time in the scripture - vs. 27
First of all, if you want to hear from Jesus you have to be in the Word. Get a journal, sit down in a quiet place with a cup of coffee and ask God to speak to you through His word and don't get up until you have written down what He said to you.
And then, write down how you saw God in that passage. How did He get bigger in your eyes.
Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 5:39 "You dilligently study the scriptures because you think that by them you might possess eternal life; (but) these are the scriptures that testify about me! Look for Jesus all over the Bible.
#4. Pray passionate prayers - vs 29
They urged Jesus not to leave them! What kind of prayers do we pray? Certainly not those kind. When is the last time like Moses you cried out for a glimpse of God or for His presence not to leave? Do you pant for God's presence like David in Psalms 42 and 63 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAsd7su5Rkc (30:15-34:00) or do you just pray for illnesses? Those are valid prayers but God wants more from you. He wants to reveal Himself and His presence to you. Just ask Him.
#5. Discuss Him at meals - vs 30-32
This is the practical part for families. At the supper table reflect/remember all the times you saw Jesus that day. If you don't, you will forget you ever saw Him or may overlook it. It will teach and reinforce to your kids that everyday Jesus is with them and our lives are about Him, not us. Who knows, it might keep them from taking Jesus to some places where they shouldn't go! Get spiritual heartburn!
Don't go through life like the rest of the religious and non-religious people of the world. Moses recognized it. He said something like this in Ex.33.." the thing that distinguishes me from the rest of the people in the world is God's presence in my life. If I can't have it, I don't want to go on." How bad do you want it? It is what we are created for and you can have it - He is right next to you.
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