Jesus is that you?
Brenda and I have been looking at new TV's because our LCD flat screen was hit by a sponge ball by me or one of my grandsons while we were playing. There is a spot on the right side of the screen that looks like Alfred Hitchcock's profile. There are many TV's to choose from now a days. LED, LCD, Plasma and now they have a 3D screen meaning 3 dimen-sional. Three different things hid behind the other. Offset images that work together.
There are 3D's of Christianity: Discouragement, Doubts and Disbelief. When all or any of the 3D's of Christianity happen, Christ begins to fade into the background of our life and that's a place where many are today.
Let's look at what happen to 2 of the disciples when they were discouraged, they were in doubt and I believe they were in disbelief. Here is the scene before we look at the scripture. Jesus had risen from the dead. Most were looking for a Saviour but, were looking for a Saviour to save them from the Roman government. It was the hope of many that Jesus was the man to lead them and be their king but, He had just died on a Roman cross.
Luke 24:13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
These 2 disciples where probably on their way home to Emmaus which was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. They were talk-ing about the events that had happen over the past concerning Jesus, His teaching, miracles, but now He was crucified.
They had walked that road many times from Jerusalem to Emmaus but this time it was different, this time it was one of discouragement, doubt and disbelief because, their hope had just died on the cross.
One was named Cleopas but the Bible never mentions the other one so, I want us to put our name there as the other dis-ciple. Cleopas and ______?
Now remember we are disciples and we have seen Jesus and we walked and talked with him and listen to His teaching and watch as they crucified Him.
So as Cleopas and us were walking home in our discouragement, doubt and disbelief Jesus Himself drew near and walk with us and ask, what are you talking about and why are you so sad? We said, you must be a stranger in these parts.
Haven't you heard the news about Jesus of Nazareth! That was mighty in deed and how we hoped he would have redeemed Israel! Folks, He redeemed Israel and the whole world, He paid the price of sin and death.
But they were looking for Christ to save them from the Roman empire, they were looking for Him to save them from hu-man suffering and make life a bed of roses.
We haven’t changed much have we? We still want the same things. We want a Saviour who will make life a bed of roses, who will take away all our problems and worries. We want resurrection without death, victory without the battle.
Verse 16 says that these 2 disciples didn't recognize Jesus. Why didn't they recognize Him? It's so that they might be in the same position as ourselves today. Live by faith and not by site. We may not recognize him but, he is right there.
He also comes in different forms. He comes as a friend, Pastor, Preacher, brother sister, anyone who has accepted Jesus lives inside them. You see, while we are here on this Earth, we are not alone, Jesus didn't leave us alone.
We also have each other when Christ begins to fade into the background because of discouragement, doubt and disbelief. So when you are going through one or all of the 3D's of Christianity and someone encourages you or prays for you or maybe you hear a sermon on the radio. Ask yourself...Jesus is that you?
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com
11/03/2011
