Skip to main content

Emmaus

During this Easter week, among other stories of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, we have heard the account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-27).

For me, this drama-narrative can be understood in two acts. Act 1, Sorrowfully Not Seeing and Act 11, Ardently Coming To See.

The two disciples are walking along conversing and debating about what had happened to Jesus animated by a spirit of defeat, crushed hopes and puzzlement. "We had thought that our Lord would be the redemption of Israel but he was crucified, dead and buried. Now some who visited his tomb say they found it empty and saw angels declaring that Jesus is alive. But, these women didn't actually see him."

Jesus joins these sorrowing disciples who are mourning the loss of their Lord but their eyes 'are holden [held or restrained] that they should not know him' (KJV). They cannot see what is before their eyes. Their eyes are prevented from seeing and knowing Jesus.

I'm sure this has happened many times in my life. Jesus has been with me walking alongside me but my eyes have been 'restrained' from seeing him. In my case, my sin has had a large part to play in that failure to see. What this restraint was is not altogether clear. Did their sorrow mean they were prevented from seeing the Lord or did God purposely prevent them from seeing for his own purposes?

Could be. God's purposes are often beyond us. "As high as the heaven are above the earth" (Isa 55:8-9) and all that. Just because things appear to us to be without purpose or meaning it does not mean that they are without meaning. Think of young children who have to have some painful procedure carried out. They have no understanding of its purpose and why father and mother allow this to take place. As adults we know why but the immature child can't fathom it. Sometimes this situation may also happen with God and us. The Cross event is perhaps a good example of that same thing.

But, it's exhilarating to hear them say that it is now the third day since the crucifixion because in this day is embedded the hope of Israel, the hope of all creation, Resurrection day. And Jesus has already mysteriously alluded to this day (13:33)!! (The expression is used numbers of times in the Scriptures.)

But, these disciples are not living the the reality of the third day yet. So Jesus expounds the Word 'concerning himself'. What a bible lesson that must have been with the written word being opened up by the Word Himself!! Their hearts begin to burn within them. They urge Him to stay with them and as he takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, their eyes are opened and they recognise him. The burning in their hearts has created such an ardency (derived from Latin meaning burn) that despite the time of the day/night they return to their brethren and tell them what has happened.

The same third day will always suggest the first day of shameful death but 'in the third day' lies the hope of all mankind.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reigning With Christ by F J Huegel

Reigning With Christ by F J Huegel (1963) is a book of only 88 pages yet it is filled with crucial truths of the Christian faith organised around the theme of the enthroned believer . It's fair to say that the theme he concisely addresses in this small book is much neglected today. For the press of technological life with its bustle and speed is such that we can forget that present life, so ' real' to us, is temporary (2 Cor 4.18) and as in the first century, 'the form [Greek, "schema"] of the world is passing away' (1Cor 7.31). It's easy to read this work and though it has 20 chapters, they are short and pithy. However, reading it requires a meditative attitude so as to allow the Spirit to work on our hearts.
Post a Comment
Read more

Jesus Anointed For His Death!

In John's gospel account, chapter 12 and verses 1-8 we read, 12  Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2  There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4  Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5  Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6  This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7  Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Besieging Love of God

Heard in church today the bewitching song based on Psalm 139 and felt myself struck dumb by the line: and with love everlasting you besiege me I sat and couldn't get the image of the besieging love of God out of my head. As great powerful armies besieged cities in ancient times, so the love of God in Christ, lays siege to our hearts, encompassing them round and about.
Post a Comment
Read more