Woo hoo, a post two days in a row! And I even have some thoughts about today's reading. It's interesting because it happens to be the same text I studied and though about a lot last week as I prepared for my Children's message, as well as for Sunday school.
Here are my thoughts and pondering from Luke 24:13-32 the text takes place following the resurrection. 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “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. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 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. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 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?”
So, for the bright yellow first: I've always wondered about why Jesus wasn't recognized. I mean clearly it states that God PREVENTED them from recognizing Him, so it certainly is not that they were dull and dim witted. But still, why? Then this week I had an ah ha moment as I thought and prayed about it preparing for children's message. My mom taught me so many things. Truly, the woman I am today is because of her. From moral issues to how to cook, everything important that I know I credit her. And then in March of last year I watched her die. It was a horrible thing to witness, such a beautiful strong woman be diminished that way. I understand why death is referred in scripture as "curse" because it was ugly and difficult and horrible. In like manner, the disciples watched Jesus die on the cross. They saw it with their own eyes. So here's the thing: I realized that if my amazing mother walked into the room, she would not be able to teach me a thing! I would be so many things, amazed, confused, excited. But what I would not be is in a position to learn something! Perhaps the same would be true of the disciples, and Jesus had more teaching to do!
Next thought, neon green: When Jesus asks a question, it's for our benefit not his. He already knows the answer.
Light blue: I just dig that he was kind of "pretending"....
Pink: Wouldn't it be cool if as followers of Christ we could figure out how to have people want to hear more of what we have to say about scripture rather than being "Whew, we're home, let that dude keep walking" I wonder what it is about Jesus style that accomplished that. I pray that He will grant such an ability to me.
Orange: This made me think of the chorus of a pop song that is played on the radio now. "I gotta feeling. woo hoo" So often we get a feeling about something. Call it Conscience, intuition, instinct,.....the Holy Spirit perhaps. I think that still small voice we hear within ourselves is often the voice of God directing us. We would do well to practice heeding rather than ignoring that "feeling".
And that is it for my pondering today!
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