It is Tuesday, the third day of Easter week and today’s devotional is from Luke 24:13-35.
Have you ever tried to find something in a dark room and can’t see where you are going? As you feel around in the dark, maybe you bump into furniture or stub a toe? Then someone flips a switch and the room is flooded with light. Instantaneously, everything is illuminated. You not only see where you are going but also the people alongside of you.
In today’s passage, two disciples experienced a spiritual “turning on of the lights.” These two followers of Jesus were traveling the road to Emmaus. They had probably witnessed Jesus’ death, seen the nails driven into his hands and the spear into his side. As the Bible tells us, these followers were downcast and confused. In Jesus’ death, their dreams and hopes were nailed to the cross and died as well.
And then there were these unbelievable accounts of Jesus being alive. I wonder why they didn’t stay to find out if these reports were true. Instead, these two disciples decided to walk seven miles to Emmaus. As they were discussing these things, Jesus came alongside of them and entered into their conversation. As they walked together, the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus. They obviously weren’t expecting him. They believed he had died and was gone.
Jesus listened to their confusion and reminded them what the Scriptures had said of the Messiah. Hearing these historical promises, the disciples urged their companion to stay with them. When you are reminded of God’s goodness, don’t you want to take a moment to savor it as well? I wonder if they didn’t want the conversation to quite end yet.
And Jesus was not finished reminding them of God’s promises. When they ate together, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. I wonder if these two disciples were reminded of similar time when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it. The Bible tells us that in that moment, their eyes were opened to the risen Lord. And then, poof! Jesus disappeared from their sight. It was then they realized that, all along, their hearts had been burning inside of them as Jesus shared the Scriptures.
The Bible then tells us: “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
In many ways, we are like these disciples walking a road in life. Just like he illuminated truth and light into this situation, are there questions you are wrestling with that needs understanding and the light of the Resurrected Jesus? As you walk the road of your life, open your eyes to Jesus’ presence and welcome him in.
In closing, gather in a dark or dim place nearby. Bring along 3 sources of light for the third day of our experience. As the light begins to push out the darkness, speak these words: “Out of the darkness of the tomb, the light is shining. Jesus is the light of the world.” If you can, sing a verse of the song, “This Little Light of Mine.”