Luke 24: 13-32
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles 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 only a visitor to Jerusalem and do 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 him they did not see."
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ 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 acted 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?"
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I have been thinking about this topic for some time now, but just couldn't put it all together. Then this week I have been reminded of how easy it is to "miss Jesus" in today's fast paced society. Even when every day for the last months have been full of doing Kingdom work it is so easy to miss opportunities that Christ is giving us to make an impact on some one's life.
These moments can be very little things that we overlook all the time. For example it could be something as small as saying hello to someone or holding the door for someone. "These aren't God moments" you say. I disagree! These are the times that scriptures refers to sharing the Love of Christ with everyone (believers and non-believers). These are the moments where as a Christian you have the ability to be difference, the opportunity to "be different " to leave an impact.
So many times we are so tired or so busy we miss these people that God wants us to share his love and grace with. To many times we fall short of completing the simple task that God gives us and we get frustrated when we don't get instant gratification or our prayers aren't answered instantly. The disciples (those who knew Jesus the most) didn't recognize him on their walk to Emmaus until after they had dinner with him. It is safe to say that anyone reading this, even if they aren't a Christian, would show kindness and love to Jesus if they recognized him walking beside them. It may be out of admiration or out of fear. However, when Jesus is disguised as someone in need, a kid who needs support because they don't have support at home, a stranger who has lost a job, the homeless guy walking the streets, or the woman/man working a second or third job/shift just to provide for his family we miss him. When this is the case we don't recognize Jesus, we miss a chance to LOVE JESUS (You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38, Matthew 25:40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.") we miss a chance to share HIS love with others.
There is no way you will ever get it right every time, but I sure hope I learn to get it right more times then I get it wrong. Think of what the world would be like if we weren't like the disciples on the way to Emmaus, what if we recognized Jesus the second we saw him, and better yet saw those who need to see him the second GOD put them in our path.
I am so thankful that because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross God is willing to forgive us and to provide more second chance then you can imagine. GOD IS GREAT....ALL THE TIME....ALL THE TIME...GOD IS GREAT!!!
Thanks for reading may God strengthen you and guide you in the days to come.
