. . . their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Luke 24:31
How many times have you taken a familiar route only to wind up lost? Lost in distraction.
While driving to a destination my daughter has traveled many times, she became totally lost the other day. Deep in prayer for a young girl in our church who is in critical condition, her mind and heart were in another place. Grieving, she was unaware of her surroundings.
Finally, she looked up to see nothing that looked familiar. Asking a gentleman on the side of the road for directions, she found she had gone nearly five miles out of the way.
When he found out where she was going, he said, “You really are lost! You need to get on the road to Emmaus.” (Pennsylvania, that is.).
Cute story, but it prompted me to read the scripture concerning the Biblical road to Emmaus.
Mentioned only once, Luke (24:13-35) tells of two disciples walking along the dusty Emmaus road grieving their buried Messiah. It was a time of great sorrow and confusion in their lives. Jesus had been crucified. They lost hope.
And then . . . they met a third traveler . . .
Their worn sandals had traveled many familiar roads with the holy companion, and yet He was a stranger to them on this day. During the two-hour trek from Jerusalem to Emmaus you’d think they’d figure out who He was.
They didn’t see Him because they didn’t expect to.
As the journey came to an end they invited the unknown friend to come stay with them. They shared a meal. In Eucharist they finally recognized the poured out wine and broken bread sitting at their table.
Emmaus means warm springs – healing waters. A spa of hope. I can only imagine how they felt when they could see with eyes of hope . . . the risen Jesus.
The story of the road to Emmaus is our story, too. The Christ-light on a dark path. Lost in the familiar, not seeing the sacred among the mundane.
The Lord will meet us on whatever road we are today. Our choice is to recognize Him.
Verna
Verna,
I wonder how many times I have lost my way in the familiar, not seeing the sacred among the mundane. Love this story. Sherise must have certainly grabbed the lesson when the man told her she needed to get onto the road to Emmaus. I can almost hear our Lord chuckle! Thanks for sharing this great post.
She did! Our minds first went to the road to Damascus, and then we discovered, a different road! Sometimes you think you know . . . until you don’t. Always a lesson, right Glenda? Thank you for the encouraging comment, so always appreciated.
Keep scribing those stories for the Lord, Verna. You are such a blessing to me and so many others. Have a great day walking with the Lord.
Glenda, I certainly did, but I never expected the fullness of GOD’s revelation to my heart through the simple phrase, “take the road to Emmaus!” Praise GOD that HE hears and cares and meets us wherever we find ourselves! It just goes to show that we can never be too lost that HE will not lead us home (to HIM!)
Love eavesdropping on this inspiring conversation, girls . . .
Love this, Sher . . . we can never be too lost. (and thank you for the inspiration to write this blog, daughter).
I know this is shocking Verna… It is me! Normally when I read your blog, there are more posts and I am not one to comment. But, . This time it was just you and little old Glenda, (I mean that lovingly Glenda :)) and I just had to chat with you girls.
This is such a encouraging word. A beautiful picture… Think how gentle and loving He was and is. Just waiting for us to sit with Him. Thank you for these word of encouragement… I am going to sit in His presence right now. Thanks sister… Love you both
I am surprised by your sweet visit, Kelly! So glad you could get together with Glenda . . . and me 🙂 Wouldn’t that be nice?
In His presence – where we want to be. Love you, sweet friend.