Kara Hackert 0:09
Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's Daily Dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, April 2 and in the season of Easter, we're walking the Emmaus road with Jesus. I'm Kara Hackert and today we're reading from Luke 24, verses 13 through 16.
Kara Hackert 0:26
On the road to Emmaus. Now that same day, two of them are going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discuss these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them - but they were kept from recognizing him.
Kara Hackert 0:52
I love the picture and the wonder of this entire story. These two men on a journey, walking down the road discussing everything that had happened in the past couple of days. Jesus death, the ladies account of the angels at the tomb and the body of Jesus being gone. What must they have been feeling? Confusion, grief, sadness, hope? Do they cry? Do they pray? Do they share stories of Jesus from when he was alive? And then a stranger joins them and they share with him about Jesus (not recognizing that the stranger was Jesus).
Kara Hackert 1:32
There are also times in our lives when we might not recognize Jesus. We face difficulties, challenges and troubles. We are confused, sad and angry. We might wonder where he is, but we can trust that he is there and that he is at work. God does not promise that we won't have trouble in our lives, but he does promise that he will never leave us or forsake us. He is with us on this journey, even when we do not understand, he has a plan.
Kara Hackert 2:03
Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for being with us on every step of our journey. Thank you for guiding us and for walking with us. Thank you for promising to never leave us. Please help us to follow your path and to look to you for hope and strength. Help us to recognize you and your work in our lives, amen.