Road Worthy by Valerie Ronald

Travel has a way of drawing out internal thoughts. As the body is engaged in getting to a destination, the mind has time to ponder and explore away from daily routine. On a seven mile journey by foot from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a few days after Jesus’ crucifixion, two of His disciples discussed the internal thoughts closest to their hearts. Shoulders slumped, feet scuffing the dusty road, faces sad and perplexed, their demeanor spoke their discouragement. They had put their hope in Jesus of Nazareth as the one who was going to redeem Israel, but He had been arrested, crucified and buried, and His body probably stolen for His tomb was now empty. With the road stretching before them, their conversation was tinged with sorrow and confusion. (Luke 24:13-35 NIV)

In the aftermath of a life-shattering event, we want to study it from all angles, dissect the details, try to figure out the why and how and now what. Somehow it gives us a sense of control to analyze the facts and search for answers, preferably with someone who can commiserate with us. Processing a traumatic event turns our focus inward.

The two walking to Emmaus were so absorbed in their discussion, they probably did not notice a fellow traveler until He came alongside them. Wrapped in a robe, dusty and windblown, like themselves, they did not recognize Jesus. Even though it was Jesus they were discussing, seeing Him in person was the farthest prospect from their minds. Although He had spoken of it often, His resurrection was an impossibility to them.

When we are caught up in our own problems, trying to cope with an imperfect reality, we can miss Jesus walking beside us. Life narrows our vision to focus on looming bills, a serious medical diagnosis, a fractured relationship, a worldwide crisis. Even when we fail to recognize Him, He is beside us through all the difficulties because He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us. (Heb. 13:5)

Still disguised, Jesus gently chided the two on the road for being foolish and slow of heart. In modern terms, He advised them to look at the big picture. Then painting the big picture in words, “He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27) And they were still not aware it was Him.

When all I can see are the problems right in front of me, the best thing I can do is adjust my spiritual lens, go wide angle and take in all of who Jesus is, what He has accomplished and what He has promised for the future. His story is woven throughout the Bible from the first word to the last. Reading it reminds me of the providence of God so clearly demonstrated in the life of His son Jesus, which means I can trust Him for my life too.

The two travelers warmed to their wise companion as they walked. They entreated Him to stay with them and have a meal. “He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight.” (Luke 24:30-31)

This part of the story touches my heart, because it was in the act of thanksgiving and sharing bread that Jesus revealed Himself. And He will continue to reveal Himself as we practice thanksgiving, focusing on the One who has given us all things. We are called to give thanks in all circumstances. (1 Thess. 5:17) Thanksgiving points us to Jesus, our true north, who guides us into all truth.

Finally they put the two together. Jesus, the man who walked to Emmaus with them, once dead and now alive, was the Messiah, fulfilling all the prophecies in Scripture. Their hearts burned within them with this revolutionary knowledge.

The story of the two on the road to Emmaus is our story too. Often blind to the presence of Jesus right beside us, we listen to His story in Scripture, but until we thank Him for His body broken and His blood poured out for us, we cannot see who He really is. When we finally recognize our constant companion, our hearts will burn within us --- with love, with gratitude and with worship.

Valerie Ronald lives in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. She is a graduate of Vancouver’s Langara College journalism program, and has worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance writer, public speaker and bookstore employee.Valerie finds being a member of the Manitoba Christian Writers Association has honed her writing skills and confidence. She writes devotionals for her home church bulletins and her online blog. Her current book project chronicles how God’s faithfulness saw her through the dark valleys of divorce and cancer. Along with her husband, Valerie enjoys spending time with their blended family and six grandchildren.She is a nature photographer, water colorist, cat lover and Scrabble addict.
   

More of her devotionals can be read on her blog   https://scriptordeus.wordpress.com

Lenten Reflections by Sandi Somers

This month our writers are reflecting on personal themes for Lent. People have different traditions to draw near to God and to prepare for Holy week and Easter. They may celebrate Ash Wednesday, fast, give up luxuries to remind themselves of Jesus’ sacrifice for our salvation, read a daily devotional or pray through a Lenten calendar...or more.

The Road to Emmaus

During Lent I often prepare for Easter by reading through a part of Jesus’ story. One year I read through the four Gospels. Other years I focused on one particular Gospel or on the last week of Jesus’ life. Once I wrote Bible studies on Jesus’ passion from the viewpoint of Peter and John.

Whenever possible, I attend a Good Friday service, followed by a meditative walk through the sixteen Stations of the Cross (ending in the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost) at the Entheos Retreat Centre in the forest near Calgary. And then on Sunday, I attend our church’s Resurrection service (sometimes including a sunrise service in Nose Hill Park).

This year I needed to begin Lent a different way. I wanted to attend an Ash Wednesday service, but had other commitments. Instead, I later spent a day in a private retreat, a day to clear out all the mental and emotional clutter that had been accumulating. It was a day to refocus my thoughts on God and to discern what He wants for me during this Lenten season.

  

        With my mind clear, I began my planned theme of the “Road to Emmaus” as told by Luke (24:13-35). On the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two men walked along the road, pondering stories that were floating around Jerusalem; Jesus, who had been crucified, was now alive. Could it be true? Jesus Himself came alongside and guided them through the Scriptures to explain who He was and the purpose of His death and resurrection.

 And so I’ve begun reading through the prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament. Fortunately I still have my old Bible which has a star beside each verse that foretells Jesus. As I write this blog post, I’m meditating in Genesis, where Jacob, the patriarch of Israel, blessed his sons. As he blessed Judah, the Spirit of God revealed that Judah’s tribe would be the Messianic royal tribe, with Jesus symbolized by the Lion, the king of beasts. In essence, Jacob prophesied in seed form the whole purpose of Christ, even looking beyond Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples (Genesis 49:10 ESV).

           Today we understand better the panorama and meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which the two men on the road to Emmaus did not. And although some prophecies have yet to be fulfilled, we know that the scepter of dominion will someday be His.

         

In conclusion, during this season of Lent, what tradition are you observing and what deeper meanings of Christ is God is revealing to you?