Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Luke 24:25-26 ‘The Road to Emmaus’
(if you can read, the Emmaus encounter v. 13-35)
25 How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
John 14:26
“But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
It had been a Passover like no other. At the beginning their teacher and friend had entered Jerusalem to the cheers of the crowds. They had hoped he would reveal himself as the Messiah and redeem Israel from the yoke of the Romans. But as the week went on the atmosphere changed. He was captured by night and handed over to the Romans. The crowds now shouted for his death and on the Friday, he was nailed to a cross and left to die. His broken body was shut up in a tomb. It was beyond belief. They and the other followers huddled together that dreadful Sabbath. Would they be arrested too? Was it all over? Had their master really died? At daybreak the women had found an empty tomb but no body. Where was his body? What had happened to Jesus? Now confusion added to their sadness.
They left for home, going over it all, trying to make sense of it all. Then this stranger came alongside and though they did not know him they found they could confide their innermost thoughts to him. To their amazement he used the Scriptures to explain it all. Home arrived too quickly, so they persuaded him to stay. They wanted more. Hurriedly they prepared a meal, and then a familiar gesture: this “stranger” took the bread and broke it in blessing and they knew him! It was their Jesus – and he disappeared from their sight! He was alive! No wonder they warmed to him as he talked on the way. He was the same Jesus, but different somehow. They had to tell the others – all tiredness left them as they rushed to share the good news that Jesus was alive.
This wonderful story has always captured my heart. Jesus taking time with two humble followers, to resolve their doubts and confusion – to walk with them – to share the Scriptures with them – to give them new life. And for us he has promised the Holy Spirit who will do as he did – open the Scriptures for us – remind us of all that Jesus has said, and enable us to have new life as we accept his teachings. Praise the Lord!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we thank you that you come to us even when we have doubts or are confused.
You enable your Holy Spirit to explain the Scriptures to us so that our faith can grow
and we are given the strength to follow you
and to share the joy of knowing you with others. Amen.
Reflection and Prayer © 2021 Gillian Wood.
Image freely available online.
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All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356