Good evening (or good morning)dear friends.
Here is our Tuesday study guide:
Tuesday: Read Luke 24:13-27. This is the famous Walk to Emmaus passage in which the risen Christ walks with the disciples. They don’t recognize Jesus until He “breaks bread” with them and then he opened the scriptures to them. Read this passage and see what wonderful things God can still do as we prayerfully study His word.
Here is that passage NRSV: 13 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16 but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" 19 He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22 Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23 and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him." 25 Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26 Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
And we scroll down to these verses: 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" 33 That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34 They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
It was through this "breaking of the bread" that the disciples realized with whom they were dining. The act of fellowship, of sharing bread, allowed the eyes of the disciples to have their eyes opened. They recognized Jesus and they shared how they felt their "hearts burning" within them while Jesus shared the scriptures with them.
God established the church to provide those fellowship and worship experiences in which God can open our eyes to recognize Jesus and to have our eyes opened in the reading of scriptures. While the church isn't the only place this can happen, it is a starting point. It becomes a wonderful experience for families to experience God's continued work in their midst and especially during situations of pain and hurt. These who were mourning the loss of their teacher, found the teacher in their midst after they shared in fellowship and worship. Their mourning turned to joy; their hopelessness turned to hope and faith. They realized the awesomeness of God and how God can still work in our midst and needs.
PRAYER: Gracious God, we thank You for the way you continue to work in our midst. Open our eyes to understand scripture and to find that which we need to serve You. Comfort those who mourn. Use us to bring hope and life to those who need it. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a restful night and a great day tomorrow!
e.v.
