In the Middle Luke 24:13-31 by Vicki Frances
In the Middle
Luke 24:13-31
New International Version (NIV)
On the Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
Have you ever experienced something in your life that your knew was ordained by God? Your life was lining up, things were working out, and it felt like the plans that God has given you was about to take off into the next dimension. One day, in the midst of your destiny walk something changed, shifted, or flat out went wrong. It is so bad, that you believed that you missed God. You are devastated. You prayed, believed God, manifestation was in the midst and it’s over…. Ladies and gentleman, I believe the text for today should be called “in the middle”. What do you do when you believed and you know you heard from God only to have a Good Friday experience?
This is how I felt about these men in this passage. What they believed was the promise was killed before their eyes. They felt that Jesus was the one they had been waiting for and now He is gone.
What do you do when you have a Good Friday on your way to the Resurrection? Take heart, because Jesus is right there with you. Eventually He will open your eyes and you will recognize just like these men that He is there. Stay faithful in the middle.