“And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” – Luke 24:32
Three days after the crucifixion of Jesus, two of His followers were walking to Emmaus, a town that was about 7 miles from Jerusalem. No doubt they were heartbroken over the events of the past few days, and the Scriptures tell us that these men were discussing the things that had recently happened in the city. As they walked, they met a man whose identity was unknown to them. The stranger inquired as to their sadness, and they were somewhat taken aback that this man did not know of all that had transpired jsut a few days earlier in Jerusalem.
Cleopas, one of the men, stated, “…Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?” (Luke 24:18). He then explained about Jesus’ crucifixion and their shattered hopes of Him being the one who would “redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). It seems they did not believe that Jesus would live again as He had stated, or they would have undoubtedly stayed in Jerusalem to see Him after His resurrection. Instead, they left the city, dejected, defeated, and without hope.
This account continues as Jesus first admonishes them for their disbelief, and then begins to recount the prophecies from Old Testament Scriptures about Himself. As the trio nears Emmaus, the two men, still not knowing who it is who is walking with them, invite Jesus to stay with them. Jesus accepts their invitation, and when it is time to have a meal, He takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to the men. At that moment, the eyes of Cleopas and his friend are opened, and they immediately realize in whose presence they are (Luke 24:31). Once they recognize Him, Jesus vanishes.
The Bible states that these two men then rushed back to Jerusalem and proclaimed to the disciples and other followers, “The Lord is risen indeed!” (Luke 24: 34). For them, seeing was believing!
There are so many times and places in our own lives when Jesus is present, but not recognized.
He is in the whisper of the wind, the colors of the sky at sunset, and the morning melodies of the birds. He is present when a mother feels the first kick of the child within her; when a newborn baby draws its first breath; when a child blows the seeds off a dandelion. Jesus is present as the trees lift their branches toward heaven, and the waves crash against the shore. He is there when the snowflakes fall gently to the ground, and the stars shine brightly in the night. He is everywhere, waiting, not just to be seen, but to be recognized as our Lord and Saviour!
Easter is a time when many of us do “see” Jesus, but do we truly recognize Him for Who He is? John the Baptist did. He recognized Jesus immediately and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:9).
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided the way to redemption and eternal life in heaven for anyone who trusts in Him as Lord and Saviour. His resurrection proved He is the Son of God, and He alone has the power to forgive us and redeem us from our sins! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch him, and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
(from “Open Our Eyes” by Robert Cull)
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” – Psalm 119:18
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“He is risen indeed!” is the heart’s cry of recognition! Does your heart recognize Jesus as the Risen Saviour?