[Monday's Devotional] - Now that same day...

1  Now that same day...

 

 

The story of two disciples walking away from Jerusalem on the day of Jesus’ resurrection is told by Luke in chapter 24 of his gospel.  For a long time scholars have recognised that the language used in this story is different from the rest of the gospel.  It is much more Jewish and is probably older than the rest of Luke.  As we read it this week, let us reflect that we may well be reading an eye-witness account of what happened one afternoon two thousand years ago.

 

Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.  They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognising him.  Luke 24: 13 – 16, [NIV]

 

The scene is a country road somewhere near Jerusalem; the time: the Sunday after Jesus had been crucified.  Two people – we know the name of only one of them – were making their way to a village.  They had been followers of Jesus.  But the person they had expected to liberate Israel from Roman occupation had been arrested and then crucified.  Their hopes were at an end.  There was nothing left for them now in Jerusalem.

 

But unknown to them, the risen Christ joined them along the road.  But they were kept from recognising their Lord by God himself. 

 

Jesus drew close to these two ordinary people in their confusion and hopelessness.  He walks with them. 

 

Sometimes we have our hopes dashed.  Sometimes our faith can be fragile and our prayers seem unanswered.  But Jesus draws near to us in our walk through life.  We may not sense his presence, but he is there – and he has conquered death for us.

 

“Christianity is the religion of miracle, and the miracle of Christ's resurrection is the living centre and object of the Christian faith.”  Alan Richardson

 

Thank you, Father, for raising your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead.  Thank you that he died for me, cancelling my sin and making me your child.  Thank you that his presence goes with me, wherever I am.  Amen.

 

David Long