FRIDAY March 28th
Luke 24:15-16
‘While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.’
A companion for the walk
This is a fascinating story, for, as the two were walking along the road to Emmaus, Jesus joined them, although we know that their eyes were kept from recognising him (v16).
But later in the narrative, after Jesus had broken bread with them it says, ‘their eyes were opened, and they recognised him’ (v31). They then said to each other ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened up to us the same Scriptures?’ (v32).
The risen Saviour longs to walk with each one of us, he doesn’t expect us nor want us to walk alone. Yes, he has given us his word, yes, he has given us the Holy Spirit, yes, he has given us each other as the Church, but he himself wants to be with us, walking alongside us as our companion for the journey. He longs to lead us, to direct us and to be their alongside us ready to pick us up and to carry us through our trials when the going gets tough.
The two on the Emmaus Road were so encouraged and inspired by the company of Jesus that they went to report to the others exactly what had happened, see having Jesus with you, allowing Jesus to be alongside you, makes a big difference, for his very presence will fill our hearts with cheer.
Application: The two that walked this road in Luke 24 were downcast as they considered the events that they had witnessed over the previous days. And meeting Jesus made all the difference. If you are feeling lonely, downcast, allow Jesus to draw alongside you as your companion and allow him to fill your heart with cheer. Remember the words of the hymn ‘Who can cheer the heart like Jesus?’
Secondly, don’t ignore Jesus! What I mean by this is don’t go through your day as if Jesus is not with you! This also adds a further challenge and it is this, if we truly believe that Jesus is alongside us as our companion for the journey, it will cause us to stop and consider so much of what we say, what we do and where we go, remember the fad that was popular in the church a while back, using the initials WWJD ‘What would Jesus do?’
Well, ask him! For he walks with us as our companion.
Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:9, Matthew 28:20b