One of my very favorite passages in Scripture is when two of Jesus’ disciples encounter Him on the road to Emmaus, but they don’t recognize Him (Luke 24:13-35.) Do you know the story? These two have just come from Jeruselum and they are debating what has just occurred. Here is what happened:
He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 1Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
“What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat,[b] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:13-35
This is so rich. Do you ever wish Jesus could speak to you directly? Do you ever wish Jesus could go for a walk with you? I know I have! The thing is, He does speak to us and we don’t realize it or recognize His voice! So today, when I went for my walk, I decided to ask Jesus to join me and then I asked Him a question that was troubling me. You know what? The answer came to me right away. So real and so clear, I knew that they were His words! I recognized them as His.
The other part of that scripture I love is this, “They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” The following verse came to me as we walked along: I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John1:4. That was the answer I was looking for and it did make my heart burn. Why not take a walk with Jesus and have a conversation? You might be surprised at the response you get. Oh, Jesus, You are so awesome! Thank you.
Jane Springer is a certified Life, Wellness and Style Coach who assists women in taking care of themselves, in body, mind and spirit. She coaches women who want to lose weight, avoid diabetes, and feel great. She also helps them thrive after divorce. She also helps them to clear their closets of old clothes and outdated attitudes, so they can shine and feel confident.
