Today's Reflections
Reflections
May 8, 2011, 12:24am
LUKE 24:13-35
That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were
going to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus, and they
were conversing about all the things that had occurred. And it happened
that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus Himself drew near
and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing
Him. He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They
stopped, looking downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, said to Him in
reply, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the
things that have taken place there in these days?” And He replied to
them, “What sort of things?” They said to Him, “The things that happened
to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before
God and all the people, how our chief priests and rulers both handed
Him over to a sentence of death and crucified Him. But we were hoping
that He would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is
now the third day since this took place. Some women from our group,
however, have astounded us: They were at the tomb early in the morning
and did not find His body; they came back and reported that they had
indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that He was alive. Then
some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the
women had described, but Him they did not see.”
And He said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to
believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the
Messiah should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Then
beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted to them what
referred to Him in all the Scriptures. As they approached the village to
which they were going,
He gave the impression that He was going on
farther. But they urged Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and
the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while He was with them at table, He took bread,
said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes
were opened and they recognized Him, but He vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us
while He spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” So
they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered
together the eleven and those with them who were saying, “The Lord has
truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two recounted
what had taken place on the way and how He was made known to them in the
breaking of the bread.
Reflection
We were hoping. The two disciples feel frustrated, having hoped that
Jesus would redeem Israel. We often experience frustration caused by
people we love, believe in, and hope for, who turn out to be ungrateful,
selfish, and uncaring.
The beautiful story on the road to Emmaus offers us hope. One mistake
of a person, even a loved one, should not make us lose hope. Yes, Jesus
died. But the risen Lord recalls for the disciples the other wonderful
things He has done. And their hope is restored.
Do not be downcast this whole week.
No comments:
Post a Comment