Who do you see Jesus as? Scripture: Luke 24:21 “But we were hoping that he would free Israel. Besides this, it is now the third day since this happened.” Observation: Two of Jesus’ disciples were walking on the highway to Emmaus when they happened upon Jesus after his resurrection. At first they didn’t recognize him. He asked them what was going on in Jerusalem. They in turn asked him if he was the only person in town who didn’t know what had happened, referring to his death. Additionally, they said that the people had hoped this prophet of God, Jesus, would be the one to redeem and restore the kingdom of Israel. They had missed the point of Jesus’ life on earth, so he began at Moses and went through the scriptures telling them about himself and what had to be fulfilled. The two men eventually realized who this man was when he took the thing, blessed it and ate it. Then he disappeared right in front of them. Application: Many Christians today miss the point of who Jesus is. They want a savior, but they don’t want a LORD. People desire to be saved from the ills around them along with their suffering and hard times. However, they don’t want to told what to do. It amazes me how people claim to be a Christian and say they love God but are unwilling to obey the scriptures. Jesus had told his followers again and again that he must suffer the things written of him in the bible. Yes, the Bible tells us that most of it was hidden from them, but some passages state that they were eventually given insight into the things going on around them. Here, though, we have a passage where two of his followers didn’t even recognize him after his resurrection. He looked no different than he had just four days before. They were so caught up in their grief over his death and the lost opportunity to restore Israel that they almost missed their Messiah – Savior! Are your eyes open to the truth of God? Can you see Jesus, or is he hidden from you, as were these two men? If you cannot see Jesus around you, then I would question your faith and trust in God. Each time you look in the mirror, you should see Jesus – if he truly lives inside you. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God’s Spirit?” Paul asked. Indeed, if Christ lives in you, then he should be seen through you. Everywhere you go, you bring him to people. Can they see Christ in you? Does your life demonstrate what it means to be God’s witnesses, first to your hometown, county/state, and the rest of the world? Thankfully for us Jesus did rise on the third day just as he said he would. People accused him of trying to destroy the temple and being able to rebuild it in three days. They didn’t know that he spoke of his bodily demolition through completing and his resurrection. This appearance to these two men proved that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and occurred three days after his death just as prophesied and transpired – “…it is now the third day since this happened” – his death now until the resurrection. He died and rose again to save us from our sins. He informed the apostles that they would be his witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, and the ends of the earth just before he ascended to heaven. This same proclamation applies to all believers of Jesus. We are his witnesses to the world both those far away and those in our neighborhoods. Let’s not miss the truth right in front of our faces. Jesus came to serve others and seek and save that which was lost. We also need to be about the Father’s business as Jesus did. We need to serve our fellow-man and seek out those that are lost and lead them to Jesus that they might be saved.
Prayer
- : Father, I have missed it at times in my life. There have been those instances where you stood right in front of me and tried to speak to me, but my head was thicker than a brick wall and wouldn’t allow me to see you and what you wanted me to do. I pray that you continually open my eyes to the truth of your Word and to speak to me daily from your Word that I might be able to grow more in you and to do what you have assigned me to do. I cannot do this on my own. I need you now more than I have ever needed you. You are my daily portion and life. Without you, I truly can do nothing that you have called me to do. I had my ideas about what you wanted to do in and through me and even went so far as to be like Abraham and birth my Ishmael instead of waiting on the promise through Isaac. Help me to observant and sensitive to your leading. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
