Encouragement

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Revelation Road (1) - Luke 24:13-27

"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 recognizing Him.

He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked Him, "are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

"What things?" He asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him; but we had hoped that He was the One who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said He was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see."

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself."

It was Resurrection day, but the disciples did not really understand that Jesus had risen from the grave. As these two forlorn friends began the seven mile walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, they talked about Jesus, and the many things that had taken place since His arrest. Suddenly, Jesus appeared beside them, and joined them as they walked along; but they did not recognize Him as Jesus!

The events of the recent days had been such a sensation in the city that Cleopas concluded Jesus must be a visitor to Jerusalem, if He was asking them what they were talking about! It was all so painfully real to them that they could not explain casually as they walked along; they had to stop, as they relived the heartbreak and disappointment of the death of Jesus. They described their broken dreams as they said that they had "hoped" that He would be the One who would "redeem Israel." They spoke of Him as a "prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people" although they knew by then that He was the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The fact that they had been 'amazed' about the women finding an empty tomb shows us that they had forgotten all that Jesus had told them during the latter days of His ministry with them. He had already explained everything to them, and assured them that He would rise again on the third day after His crucifixion.

Jesus rebuked the two men and told them they were "slow of heart to believe all that the prophets had spoken"! Luke 12:48 tells us that "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" and these disciples of Jesus had been blessed with much teaching and revelation. They had walked with Him and experienced His anointing from day to day. Their hearts should have been quick to tune in to the supernatural dimension, and to see the empty tomb as evidence of everything already spoken by their Master and Friend. They should have been expecting and anticipating the miraculous resurrection of Jesus, and rejoicing even before they saw Him alive! Instead, they were puzzled and confused, and not sure what to believe! They were walking around discouraged and downcast, and completely defeated because of their own unbelief!

However, Jesus is always in the business of restoration! He always seeks to build us up when our faith is weak, and encourage us back, through His Words, to where we ought to be. As He and the two friends continued to walk the seven miles to Emmaus, Jesus explained the Old Testament Scriptures which spoke about Him. For about 2 hours or more, their hearts were filled with the living revelation which fell from the lips of Jesus. Their hearts were 'burning' (Luke 24:32) as they listened to the Words Jesus spoke. It was probably like being at their very own personal revival meeting as their hungry spirits were fed and they were filled with faith!

I would like to leave you with a few thoughts from the encounter these two disciples had on the road to Emmaus.

1) What we focus on becomes big in our lives. Here, Jesus appeared where His name was spoken and He was remembered. The same is true if we focus on the negative aspects of what we are facing in life - they become bigger and more real! You may be experiencing a time of disappointment or pain, but it is time to stop thinking about and talking about the problem. Focus instead on the ultimate Solution - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life! As you focus on His Word and seek Him through worship, you will experience His presence and peace, and receive His guidance, directing you to victory.

2) You may not recognize God's presence as you face the difficulties and disappointments of life, but He is there alongside you. He walks this earthly path with you. He has promised to be with you always, right to the end of the road. (Matthew 28:20). His Word promises that He will be with us through the difficult times we face: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43: 2). Once you place your hand in His, you are in covenant with Him forever; He is with you through thick and thin!

3) Faith is a matter of the heart - God wants us to grasp with our hearts what He seeks to show us. What we see or hear from God may not always make sense in the natural, but if you can receive God's Word in your heart, and believe it, you open yourself to the dimension of the miraculous, where "all things are possible for him who believes"! (Mark 9:23).

4) Standing on/remembering God's Word spares us confusion and anxiety. Jesus had told His disciples (prior to His death) that He would be crucified and then raised up on the third day. However, when things really began to happen, they were shocked and confused; they fogot that they had been forewarned as well as reassured about the final outcome. While we often have to face unexpected challenges, we can remain unshaken when we remain in the Word which is settled eternally in Heaven and never changes. It is forever true (Psalm 119:89) and will never return void (Isaiah 55:11). Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8).

5) Focusing on Jesus brings spiritual revelation. Only He can remove the doubts and fears that destroy our faith. Only He can clear away the clouds of confusion, and make our paths clear before us. Jesus is the Word who became flesh (John 1:14), and as we feed on the Word and receive its application upon our lives, it becomes flesh to us - it becomes powerfully real, and life changing. The Holy Spirit takes it and renews our minds, as He gives us "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) and enables us to walk in the same faith it takes to raise the dead - that 'Jesus' kind of faith!

6) Cleopas and his friend were focused on the death of Jesus, even though they heard His tomb was empty. Although the resurrected body of Jesus probably looked very different, I believe that part of the reason why they did not recognize Him was that their hearts were not open to the possibility that He was alive. This is why Jesus told them they were 'slow of heart to believe'! Hebrews 11:1 says that "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." I challenge you to begin to change the way you see your life. Be sure of what you hope for in Jesus Christ! Know that when you expect the miraculous and the impossible, this is what you will see. Right now, things may seem pretty bleak from where you are; the signs you see may be discouraging and daunting; but know that all God's promises to you are "yes" and "amen". When you see them with the eyes of your heart and receive them in faith, they will surely be fulfilled in your circumstances! Your dreams are becoming a reality!

Remember this week that God is with you and cares about what you are going through. He wants to do great and mighty things in your life.
All things are possible to those who believe!

Minoli Haththotuwa, 11 April, 2010
www.wingslikeeagles.info

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