How Did We Miss It? Series

How Did We Miss It?

I Am Jesus – part fifteen

13That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem. 14As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them. 16But they didn’t know who he was, because God kept them from recognizing him.

17"You seem to be in a deep discussion about something," he said. "What are you so concerned about?" They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18Then one of them, Cleopas, (His wife Mary was at the cross, John 19:25) 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." 19"What things?" Jesus asked.

"The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. "He was a prophet who did wonderful miracles. He was a mighty teacher, highly regarded by both God and all the people. 20But our leading priests and other religious leaders arrested him and handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21We had thought he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. That all happened three days ago. 22Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, Jesus’ body was gone, just as the women had said."

25Then Jesus said to them, "You are such foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26Wasn’t it clearly predicted by the prophets that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his time of glory?" 27Then Jesus quoted passages from the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the Scriptures said about himself.

28By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus would have gone on, 29but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late. So he went home with them. 30As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them. 31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

32They said to each other, "Didn’t our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?" 33And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem, where the eleven disciples and the other followers of Jesus were gathered. When they arrived, they were greeted with the report, 34"The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter!"

35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. – Luke 24:13-35 (NLT)

Prayer…

QUESTION – have you ever missed something that when you look back on it seems to be pretty obvious? AND – you think, “man how in the world did I not see that one coming.”

• Some odd behavior at work. Top management starts to have a lot of closed door meetings. AND – suddenly you get laid off or you company goes through the fun and games of a merger.

• Your teenage son or daughter starts talking about and talking to some guy or girl on the phone almost every night… BUT – you hardly notice and the next thing you know you’ve entered the dating zone…

• Your best friend doesn’t return your calls… Never seems to be able to get together. You see them once or twice with some people who don’t really like you… You don’t really give it much thought… AND – before you know it you get betrayed.

• You are at an all you can eat buffet… The food is great & plentiful. You should have stopped eating a steak, 2 pieces of fired chicken, 3 rolls, a piece of chocolate cake and a very deep belch earlier… BUT – you keep on going… BECAUSE – you’ve got to make good on that $7.99… AND – later that night, you seemed surprised that you are spending it hugging what many affectionately call the porcelain god. “Oh man I come I didn’t see this coming…”

NOW – my wife Laurie is a very sharp lady. BUT – for some reason over 8 years ago I don’t think she saw it coming. Later when she looked back on it she had to wonder, “Okay how in the world did I miss this one…” We started dating in September of 1997… I started picking Leila up from kindergarten every day, cooked Laurie dinner most nights because she worked so late, met her for lunch several times a week, sent her cards, letters, and flowers… Asked her one night if she was able to move out of state… I remember her telling that when her friends at work heard about all that they said, This guy is serious he is going to ask you to marry Him… I think she told them, “no I don’t think Steve is thinking that…” We were married 3 months later.