Morning by Morning, April 4 - Short Walk to Emmaus, Life-long Journey of Faith
"Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.... As they came near the village to which they were going, He walked ahead as if He were going on. But they urged Him strongly, saying, 'Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.' So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took break, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while He was talking to us on the road, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:13-32)
Those two disciples on their walk to Emmaus that day were discouraged and disappointed. Things hadn't worked out as they had planned. They "had hoped" that the Jesus they had seen nailed to a cross was the Son of God, their Messiah and Savior, come to rule and reign in their land and their lives (v. 21). They "had hoped" the One who had been "a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" would be the One would be mighty to save, healing the brokenhearted and setting the captives free, proclaiming the coming of the Kingdom of God for all the world to hear (v. 19).
Their hopes were dashed and their hearts were heavy. They believed in the cross and the power of death all too well. But they had not yet embraced the power and the glory of the empty tomb. They were "slow of heart to believe" (v. 25). And in their lack of faith in the promises of God, "their eyes were kept from recognizing (You)" even when "(You) came near and went with them" (v. 15).
But in Your mercy and love, You came alongside them in their sorrow and grief. You shared with them the Bread of Life, "beginning with Moses and all the prophets, (You) interpreted to them the things about (Yourself) in all the Scriptures" (v. 27). As they allowed Your words of life from the Word of God to sink into their souls, "their eyes were opened, and they recognized (You)" (v. 31). They felt their "hearts burning within (them)," as You fanned the dying embers of their faith back into flame! (v. 32)
They ran to tell the others "what had happened on the road, and how (You) had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread" (v. 35). Then as they spoke of all You had done and said in the testimony of their encounter with You, You came and "stood among them and said them, 'Peace be with you'" (v. 36). Even then, "in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering" (v. 41). But You kept speaking to them Your words of life and reminding them of the Word of God "that everything written about (You) in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled" (v. 44).
As they listened with their hearts, "(You) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (v. 45). Now, filled afresh with faith in both the power of the cross and the empty tomb, they would be filled with Your Spirit, the Promise of the Father, "clothed with power from on high," to be "witnesses of these things" for the rest of their lives (v. 48-49).
Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart to see You. Come alongside me today and every day in the fellowship of Your Presence, turning my doubts into faith and my disappointments into joy. My heavenly Father, I embrace Your Word and the Promise of Your Spirit, as the child of God that I am by Your grace. Come, Holy Spirit; and let Your words of life sink into my soul, as You imbue me with Your power from on high to be Your witness of the power and love of Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. Let my walk to Emmaus be a life-long journey. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
I pray you will be clothed with power from on high, as you journey with Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, embracing the promises of the Father, to be a faithful witness of the mercy and love of God through Jesus Christ every day of your life, in Jesus' name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you, my friend!
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
Healing from the Inside Out
Pastoral Director | Rapha God Ministries
4 Dominion Drive, Building 1
San Antonio, Texas 78257
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