This is The Way – Devo Day 47

In the Middle of a Cultural Pivot

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem,
14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.
15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them.
16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad.
18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him.
21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning,
23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther,
29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.
32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke 24:13–32 (ESV)

It had been the most significant day the world would ever see, the Ressurection of Christ. But most in the moment, even those most closely connected to Jesus, could not see it. Their world had been shaken to its core. They were disoriented, adrift, with no anchor points beyond the past. It was a pivot point of historic proportions but all they could see was loss and all they could feel was fear.

In this passage, two disciples were journeying from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village that lay some seven miles away. Not much is known about these two followers of Christ—they were evidently not among the eleven disciples. They were probably returning home after the shocking murder of their movement’s leader, Jesus. They were rehearsing the events of the past few days trying to make sense of it and what was to come.

Then the resurrected Jesus joined them as they walked, but ‘their eyes were kept from recognizing him‘ (v16). He asked what they were discussing, and one of them, Cleopas, related the events of Jesus’s life, death, and possible resurrection. There was only one problem—he totally misunderstood the mission of Jesus – ‘We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel’ (v21). How strange that they failed to grasp the teachings and prophecies of Jesus. But the same inability to understand remains today among His followers. We, like the two on the road to Emmaus, view everything through the lens of our personal lives – It’s all about me.

Until we are no longer the center of the universe, we will never grasp the true identity and mission of our Saviour (2 Cor. 3:15, 16). We must pray that he will enable us to see clearly that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the one who is worthy of our worship, our lives, and our dedication. But what is the instrument that will help us shift our thinking, refocus our passion, and energize our efforts?

Jesus began to give them a tour of the Scriptures, and teach about himself. He spoke from Moses (Genesis to Deuteronomy) and all the prophets (Isaiah to Malachi) and told them about the true identity and mission of the Messiah. Later (v44) he also referred to the Psalms. Jesus had absolute confidence in the written Word of God, and so should we (1 Peter 1:10-11). How wonderful it must have been to hear the Scriptures opened up from the mouth of the Lord himself, the Living Word! And after Jesus left them, the disciples said that while he spoke, their hearts ‘burned’ within them (v32).

Jesus had vanished as quickly as he had come, and the two disciples were left to discuss how everything was somehow different since Jesus had talked with them and had opened the Scriptures to them. His presence had almost imperceptibly changed their mood from despair to hearts burning with hope. They experienced relief and tremendous excitement as Jesus walked them through the Scriptures. But only, when they realized who he was, did they realize what he had done.

Somehow a shift had taken place within their inner beings and now their sights were on the future, not the past. It was the Scriptures applied to life, to the now, that only provided explanation but also encouragement, confidence, and hope. It was no longer a lost dream, a bitter defeat, a hopeless reality. Their hope had been confirmed, their doubts dispelled, faith was reignited, and they could see a new day through the lens of the Scriptures. That’s what burned within them, even though the world had not changed! That is the power of hope and faith in Christ – This is The Way.

Questions to Ponder

1. I’ve often thought of what it might have been like to walk with Jesus and hear Him teach from the Scriptures. But God thought of everything we’d need as His followers. Jesus said it was actually better that He was leaving so that the Father could send The Spirit (John 14:16). So now the Living God can enlighten the Word wherever and whenever we focus our hearts and minds on the Scriptures. Just before Jesus was arrested He comforted his disciples saying, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV) Have you asked the Holy Spirit to walk with you through the Scriptures? Do you rely on Him not just for understanding but also for hope and direction?
2. We are in the middle of the greatest cultural shift of our lifetime. And there will be many human prophets and social commentators that will offer solutions and direction (probably for a price) and we must decide who we will listen to. “And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:13 (ESV) Who are you listening to? Who are you going to for answers?

If you are just starting and want to go back and read the previous posts in this series