I have felt led to revisit the scripture about the two believers traveling on the road to Emmaus. As Hagg and I were on our way home from sending off the men for their Emmaus weekend last Thursday, I told him I was going to go home and read it. I have read, reread, studied and meditated on it daily for a week now. I would like to share a few things that stood out to me. Luke 24:13-35
First off I notice Cleopas is not on the journey alone. I relate that to our spiritual journey. We are not meant to walk it alone. Our faith walk is not meant to be lonely or a solitary journey. We need fellow believers to walk along side of us. I need my men's group and small group to study the scriptures with me. I need to share my points and listen to theirs. This helps me to grow and to be stretched. I need to talk with fellow believers about the day to day things in life. They give me new insights, fresh perspectives, and deeper meanings to the events in my life.
In verse 21 Cleopas said, "but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel." I immediately questioned why they had hoped and not trusted. The KJV set me straight. That was the only version in my parallel Bible that used the word trust. Are hope and trust the same thing? I would love to hear your thoughts on that one.
These two travelers made it clear to me that knowing does not always translate to understanding. They had seen Jesus and heard what was to happen yet could not understand what was taking place. They knew yet doubted. Sounds an awful lot like me! Sometimes I think I should have all the answers and understand all that's been put in front of me. These people walked with Jesus and didn't have all the answers and didn't understand all that was happening in and around them. I often need revelation from God on things that I know but don't understand. Or is it that I just don't know and can't understand that I don't know? Ha! Love to hear your thoughts on that one too.
I found it comforting that these two people were struggling and Jesus came and walked with them. Christ not only walked with them He spoke and joined their conversation. He applied the words of scripture to their situation. When we face doubt, fear, and pain He is there with us. Christ brings comfort and clarity as we journey through life's struggles.
Finally, these two travelers recognize who Jesus is. Their spiritual eyes were opened. As soon as they realize this is Jesus, He disappears from their sight. I seem to experience this same thing in my journey. God is working in my life and I am blind to it. By the time I recognize Him working, He disappears from my sight. I then say, " How could I have not seen God moving and working?" The answer is simple after the fact. I was focused on my problem and not Him. In the end all I can do is praise God and testify to His love and faithfulness just like Cleopas and his friend.
The road we travel is hilly and curvy, full of obstacles and hazards. I thank God I'm not traveling alone.
2 comments:
Awesome devotional. I wish that after God opens our eyes, we would learn to keep them open...lol. Anyway, I agree with you that hope and trust seem different. The word hope to me implies more doubt than the word trust. But the dictionary defines hope as "to want or wish for something with CONFIDENT expectation". Using that definition, I can see how the translations would use both words.
As I read this Kenny, I remember my walk not that long ago. The struggles, the hardship, the unknown, but one thing has remained steadfast and that is God. Since my walk, I have been tested more because I have begun to understand a little fragment of what God has in store for me and what he has called me to do. Thanks Kenny.
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