iCrucified

Walking Without Seeing (Scripture Meditation Luke 24:13-35)

My meditation today came from the Gospel according to Luke. Several thoughts occurred to me from the account of the disciples and Jesus as they journeyed from Jerusalem to Emmaus. My reflection began with the follow text:

¹³ That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. ¹⁶ But God kept them from recognizing him. (Luke 24:16-16)

I am shamed at how often this happens to me. Even though I have grown in my understanding and my faith that God is always near, there are still many times my “eyes are closed” to his nearness. I don’t think this is a normal part of our experience, or so it would seem since Jesus blasted (verbally) the two followers along the road to Emmaus.

“Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared.” (Luke 245:25)

I mean… the Scriptures tell us that GOD kept them (disciples) from recognizing him (Jesus), but why??? Could it or might it have been from their own “slow hearts?” I don’t want this to be the case for me. I would rather be “quick-hearted” and ready to recognize Jesus at all times and in any situation. This is especially true with my knowledge that I am a vessel of the Holy Spirit of God which dwells within me. How many times am I “slow of heart” to recognize GOD at work in our midst? I think I can learn something from this encounter that I had not considered before.

Once the two men had their “eyes opened” to understanding, they caught a glimpse of Jesus. He revealed himself to the disciples in a passing moment as they began to break together.

³⁰ As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. ³¹ Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! (Luke 24:30-31)

I have to also wonder about the significance of the act after further consideration; there is more here (I am sure) than my mind can grasp at this moment… (The breaking of the bread and their eyes opened). I will have to meditate upon it further.

One thing I know; Jesus can and will open our minds to his work and his presence. We do not have to live as “foolish” or ignorant. In fact, based upon Jesus’ disappointed rebuke toward the men on their journey, I’m sure he does not want us to live this way (foolish or ignorant).

While this Emmaus Road encounter was pre-Pentecost, our reconciliation experience with God is post-Pentecost. What does this mean? It means that we have the luxuriously divine blessing of sharing union with the Godhead on the level that Jesus prayed for in John 17:22-23. (See also John 14:15-21)

²² I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. ²³ I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. (John 17:22-23)

This is a difficult concept to fathom and I believe a certain measure cannot be understood, but can only be received through faith in the promise and words of Jesus, who said; “It is better that I leave you; if I don’t the Holy Spirit won’t come to dwell with you” (John 16:7).

With our reception and submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, we do not have to live ignorant, foolish, and blinded as the Emmaus Road travelers. I (we) can live fully alive, alert, and abiding in Triune Unity with the Godhead. This is not lofty spiritualeese speak. This is the fulfillment of the prayer of Christ in the Garden (John 17)!

There are times that I live this out, but there are times that I do not and this is the message to me from today’s reading. I am reminded of the glorious fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus reminded the disciples along the way, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared.” One of the prophets he might have been speaking of was the prophet Joel, who spoke the following words:

“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.” (Joel 2:28-29)

I think this Emmaus encounter can serve as a reminder of the blessing Jesus promised. We are bearers of the Spirit of God! We are beholders of the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). There is no reason for us to be blind, foolish, or disheartened as were those followers. They were focused on their loss and centered upon themselves. Jesus rebuked them and chastised them for this and opened their eyes to a bigger truth; the very truth that indwells us and opens our eyes to the mysteries and wonders of God. I am hopeful that I will be forever reminded and my moments of failing to remember will become fewer and fewer. For this reason, I pray: LORD, help me to be diligent in my search and awareness of you, so I will know the things you want me to know and live accordingly…reflecting the will of the Father in all I say and all I do. May it be to the glory of the Father, the Eternal Son, and the Holy Spirit, who live and reign in unity for ever and ever. Amen.

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45)

“Praying Scripture is not judged by how much you read but by the way in which you read. If you read quickly, it will benefit you little. You will be like a bee that merely skims the surface of a flower. Instead, in this new way of reading with prayer, you must become as the bee that penetrates into the depths of the flower. You plunge deeply within to remove its deepest nectar.” –Madame Jeanne Guyon