Road to Emmaus

February 28, 2011

Read Luke 24: 13-35

Luke 24:17,19
He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” ... “What things?” he asked

The Road to Emmaus forever changed the lives of Cleopas and his companion. Prayer and journey with God through difficult and overwhelming times have that impact on Christians.

We have a companion in our life journey. Just as the Risen Lord came to Cleopas and his companion, He is the One alongside us in times of our struggles. Jesus, ‘God with us’, Immanuel stays true in all of life’s circumstances. We are not alone. In marriage, it is husband and wife plus Christ. In our church committee, it is always all members plus Christ. In parenting, it is mother plus Christ. In the workplace, it is I, the worker plus Christ. Practise the presence of Christ with you.

We have Someone to discuss things through. Jesus longs to be in our conversations. Like a stranger who takes the initiative to broach our subject of concern, Jesus comes near to us in times of our struggle and gently probes us to open up. In times of confusion, bewilderment and pain, God invites us to talk to him He is the One who will figure things out with us. Prayer is when we discuss things with God. When we pour out all that is in our hearts and try to work out all possible solutions to a problem with him.

We have Someone to share our rawest emotions with. Jesus is God. He knows all things. He gets us to talk because we need it. In talking out things, we identify our feelings, hurts and emotions. In telling him, we share our disappointments, pains and sadness. This is the point of us coming to God in prayer. Prayer is always for us. It is the space, person and peace that we desperately need in times of trials.

We gain new perspective in time spent with God. Cleopas and companion thought Israel would be delivered from suffering – a dead Messiah dashed all their hopes. Jesus’ going through the Scriptures with them righted their vision – Israel would be delivered THROUGH suffering by the sacrificial Messiah. They were looking through the wrong side of the telescope. The most important component of our prayer is to listen to God’s input. Pray for Samuel’s ear, David’s heart, Esther’s courage and Solomon’s wisdom to put God’s instructions into life.

We share the Passion of Christ in time spent with God. Cleopas and his companion’s hearts burned within them throughout the journey, conversation and Bible reading. There is a stirring within our hearts as we spend time with God. Prayer and communion time with God seals and builds our relationship with our Saviour. There is a rupture of souls as we learn to engage our spirits with God’s spirits, as we align our thoughts to His, as we open our eyes to His ways and submits to His wisdom. It is time well spent with Someone who loves us passionately and we will emerge from His presence with a deeper passion for Him.

The Road to Emmaus calls us all into a deeper fellowship and prayer life with God.
Life is difficult but God is good. Life can be confusing but God remains true. Life can be overwhelming but God journeys with us. We are not alone.