LUKE 24:29

Sometimes it is good to talk about things we do not fully understand and even discuss them with others who are just as puzzled as we are. Here on the road to Emmaus on Resurrection Sunday, this was exactly the scenario. It was now alleged that Jesus was risen but they had not even come to terms with the crucifixion yet. Reports were now swiftly coming in of an empty tomb, visions of angels, and appearances of the risen Savior. It really seemed like too much to handle in such a short space of time.

Luke informs his readers that on that Sunday when things were still fresh in their minds and happening at dizzying speed all around them, that these disciples on their trek to the village of Emmaus, talked together of those things that recently transpired at Jerusalem. They talked together, communed, reasoned but still could not comprehend the things concerning the Christ. I remain blessed by the thought that they still talked and conversed about Jesus. They refused to give it up.

It must also be quickly noted that as they entertained the thought of Jesus and talked about Him, Jesus came alongside and purposefully journeyed with them. Even in their uncertainty, and as they attempted to make sense of a crucified Messiah and rebuild their shattered hopes and dreams as they questioned and doubted and analyzed and pondered – Jesus showed up. He comes alongside us even when we rigorously struggle with difficult questions concerning Him and our lives. He will show up.

He also patiently, painstakingly helps us figure all things out. We keenly observe that the things He had said to them before, He now methodically revisits and rehashes with them until they understand the message of Him more clearly. Let it never be lost upon us that the more the message is retold and rehearsed, the more it is understood and grasped (Luke 24:27).

The fact is, though Jesus is walking with us, like these two disciples, we are often so deeply engrossed in what we are saying and doing that we often miss His presence. Sometimes He is talking but we are not really listening. It is interesting how He calls them foolish and slow in heart to believe what the prophets have spoken (Luke 24:25). However, it’s only when they purposefully invite Him to come and abide with them and breaks bread with them, it’s only then that they recognized who He truly was. The Word declares “And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, He took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight” (Luke 24:30,31).

After listening to Him expound the Scriptures to them, Luke informs us “But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us . . . And He went in to tarry with them” (Luke 24:29). I pray today that we will have the good sense and wisdom to invite Him to come in and abide with us. He is the guest that we need at our table and in our lives daily. We remain troubled and sad and lost without Him. Today we extend to Him the heartiest invitation – Abide with us. Only Jesus can help us in these most harrowing and difficult times. May our hearts burn within us, as He talks with us by the way and as He opens the Scriptures to us daily (Luke 24:32). Our sincere prayer remains “Abide with us Jesus!”