[Friday's Devotional] - It is true! The Lord has risen!

5  It is true!  The Lord has risen!

 

When Jesus was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight.  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?”

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.  There they found the Eleven and those with them assembled together and saying, “It is true!  The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”  Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.  Luke 24: 30 – 35 [NIV]

 

Just as the eyes of the two disciples were closed when they first met Jesus, now they are opened.  They are around a table in an inn or a home.  Jesus, the guest, has become the host; it is he who takes the bread, gives thanks, breaks it and gives it to them.  Luke uses the same words as he did at the feeding of the five thousand and at the Last Supper.

 

How did the disciples recognise him?  Was by a mannerism or by his words?  Or did they see his pierced hands?  Yet as soon as they had recognised him, he disappeared.

 

They had had met the risen Christ!  There was only one possible thing to do.  Even though it was evening they must make the difficult journey back to Jerusalem and tell the others.

 

What about us?  We, too, have met with the risen Christ.  Do our hearts burn within us, or has the fire become a dull glow?  If Christ really has risen, everything, absolutely everything, is changed.  Like Cleopas and his friend, we cannot possibly keep the news to ourselves.

 

Jesus has forced open a door which has been locked since the death of the first man.  He has met, fought and beaten the king of death.  Everything is different because he has done so.  This is the beginning of the new creation.  A new chapter in cosmic history has opened.  [C S Lewis]

 

Lord Jesus, I am yours.  Help me to tell others of your love and your victory over death.  Amen.

 

David Long