I love reading books. One of my favorite books is the dictionary!
I remember a story of a young man who told a girl that he has been courting, “You're like a dictionary? I find meaning whenever I’m with you.”
In Luke 24 beginning verse 13, we can find a story of two Christians who were in despair and confused as they try to make sense of what happened to Jesus Christ – three days after their Hero was arrested, severely beaten, crucified, killed and buried.
But their search for understanding only led to more confusion and hopelessness until Yeshua – the Word Himself literary walked with them and explained the Scriptures.
Let me offer three points as we study and reflect on these verses:
1. Jesus answers our search for meaning. 2. We must remember His words. 3. We need to share His words with others.
Let’s commit this time to Him in prayer. [Opening prayer]
I’ll be reading part of Luke’s ‘On the Road to Emmaus’ narrative:
13 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.”
Why did Jesus supernaturally withhold His identity from them?
Did He enjoy looking at their sad faces as they struggle to get some clear answers?
I don’t think so. Christ wanted them to understand the truth by explaining the essentials that they cannot see yet. The Savior of the world must die first as the ultimate atonement for sin so we can be reconciled with the Holy God.
Yhwh will reveal what our shortsightedness failed to see.
If you will read this account in its entirety, you will find that Jesus underscored the resurrection as the bedrock of the Christian faith. The resurrection supported Yeshua’s claim that He is the one true God who amazingly fulfilled ancient prophesies about the much-awaited Messiah. He lived among us to redeem the human race, sinners like you and I. His offer of salvation is still standing.
But how did Cleopas and his companion perceive Jesus to be? They were convinced that He is the Christ, a great prophet who was destined to free Israel from Roman rule.
What important truth is missing in Cleopas’ description of Jesus in verse 19?
He knew lots of things about the Christ. Sadly he missed the most important one: Jesus is God incarnate. He is more than a prophet. He is the Logos – the Word - the perfect God who created and holds the universe together.
Who is Jesus in your life?
Cleopas and his companion were discouraged and disappointed because their ‘superman’ died and worse somebody took His body! They don’t know what to believe anymore! The two disciples failed to remember or did not fully understand what the Son of God had been telling them all along that ‘He must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’
It is important that we must read and study the Bible with due diligence to find life’s meaning. It's one thing to know the complexity of creation but it’s another thing to personally know the Author Himself. We must study the Bible to get to know this all-powerful, all-knowing and loving Deity. We need to dig the Scriptures so we can have a personal relationship with a relational Creator.
What does Cleopas’ account of Jesus in verses 20 to 24 reveal about him?
Cleopas was so near to the Word yet he so far from getting to know the divinity of Jesus.
In verse 27, Christ took time to explain to them what was said in the Old Testament about Himself then Jesus suddenly disappeared when the two disciples finally learned what they needed to know so they can do great things for the Almighty's glory.
In verse 33, they returned to Jerusalem and shared their testimony with other disciples.
Do you think it’s important to know and believe in the Bible to have a clear knowledge of who God is?
It’s very important because what we know will affect our priorities. What we know will affect the way we live.
Why do we need God? We need God because we are finite beings longing to find higher meaning outside ourselves.
Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias eloquently put it: “Everything physical in this world no matter how you section it has its existence outside itself.”
It is my prayer that all of us will take concrete steps in order for God’s words to become so real to us that it will truly transform our lives from the inside out!
May God bless you.
