Luke 24:27

New International Version (NIV)

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

For Meditation

It’s interesting how easily our expectations can deceive us. We often look at things through our personal prisms, interpret them on the basis of our experiences, and build our expectations on them. We risk building houses of cards, based on faulty interpretations. They result in ruined marriages and shattered homes. They destroy careers and stall projects, some of which never recover. Many get disappointed and lose hope. That seems to be the situation of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24:13-32).

They expected a conquering Messiah, but God gave them a Savior from sin and death they didn’t recognize. They observed Jesus through their personal prism and misinterpreted the season they lived in based on the prevailing conditions of the Roman rule. So, when this ‘stranger’ interrupted their conversation, they poured their unfulfilled expectation and disappointment on Him: “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (21).

But God is gracious and compassionate. Our Savior took time to redirect their minds into His light. Their hearts burned when the resurrected Jesus walked them through the scriptures, “And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the scriptures concerning himself” (27). Their hospitality and kindness carried them to an enlightened end, as their visitor took charge at dinner table. “He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight” (28-32). What a day!

We all need illumination and redirection from the Holy Spirit on issues we don’t understand. Our Christian life stands on the pure teaching of scripture (2 Tim 1:13; Titus 2:7) and enlightened hearts (Eph. 1:18). Both are the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He opens the scripture to us and redirects our thoughts from faulted perspectives and opinions to the truth that sets us free. Check the exhilaration of Cleopas and his friend and you’ll see how hastily they went back to Jerusalem to tell the others.

I pray the Lord comes by your side in your confused and disappointed situations to redirect your mind and heart, and clear things up for you.

And: May joy fill your heart as Christ reveals Himself to you in extraordinary ways; and may you move swiftly to share the Good News with others when Christ illumines your path.

Shalom