Where did they start?
They left the city. It was supposed to be the centre of great change because they thought they had found the Messiah. Their hopes were that He would be the one to usher in a new day for the people that had for years faced oppression to various political forces. Maybe He was the one. He had spoken so well and had done so many good works that amaed all.
Yet now they were sad and confused. Their hope was crucified. The expected remains of their hope had disappeared and reports from some that He had even risen. That was too much to deal with. It made sense to return home.
Along the way they met a man.
He wasn’t familiar to them at that time. In fact the initial questions they heard gave the impression that this man hadn’t been paying attention to what had gone on in the city. When they gave the lowdown, they were surprised to hear the stranger berate them for being slow to understand things.
That’s when the journey got interesting.
This stranger proceeded to take them on a journey of a different kind. From Moses to the Prophets, He engaged them in the story that had been there all along if they had the eyes to see it and heart to receive it. That journey and that experience did something to them. Their idea of the Messiah was reframed and revised.
They reached their destination.
Yet He was going on, but they couldn’t let Him do that. Not when night was coming. Not when they could give Him a place to stay and something to eat. Not after they had enjoyed such a journey with Him. There was no chance they could let this stranger go – they had to look after Him. They insisted.
As they settled down for something to eat and drink, it dawned on them.
And they couldn’t keep it to themselves. It was not the kind of news that could wait. It was just too good to keep a hold on it. They knew what they felt. They knew what they heard. They knew that this revelation of the Word throughout the Law and the Prophets was indeed in the flesh and had indeed risen triumphantly over death. Just as had been prophesied.
The revelation took place, however, only as they went through. Only as they spent time in His company. Only as their hearts warmed to what He outlined to them. Only as they desired to welcome Him into their home.
Questions to Consider:
Are their encounters and conversations that you have to leave you enlightened for the experience?
Is Jesus someone we can engage with in a purely academic way reading and understanding words?
What ways does God reveal Himself through the journeys you take in life?
How can these lessons shape your approach to prayer?
(Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 