A few years ago, one of my colleagues at the hospital was reading my daily devotional about the word PEACEMAKER. But being in the cardiology department where “heart talk” is common … well, let’s just say that this person mistakenly read the title as “Today’s Word Is P-A-C-E-MAKER.” How funny!
Think about it … sometimes you can “see” something that is not there … and fail to see what really is there. For instance, back in the early 1990’s, while pastoring in Brainerd, I had thick, curly hair … yes I did. It was not natural, but I was getting it permed for a period of six years. Years later, after I was back to my normal short, dark (but greying) hair, I would occasionally run into people from that church in public … and they didn’t even recognize me! I would say, “It’s me … Mark … remember? … your pastor?” And their eyes got wide as it dawned on them that it was really me.
This misperception also happened on the Sunday of Jesus’ resurrection. Several disciples were meeting together in the upper room, trying to sort things out. This included not just the “eleven” disciples, but other close followers. There were reports of angels and resurrection from the women and decisions by Peter and John to go check it out at the tomb.
Somewhere in that confusion, waiting for answers, two of the followers, one of them named Cleopas, decided to get started on the 7-mile journey to their home in Emmaus for the night, not knowing yet if Jesus was really alive. Little did they know that Jesus had two important appearances he wanted to make before he headed to the upper room to see the disciples. First was to see the two Mary’s, and then on toward the road to Emmaus to catch up with the two men on the road, who had left the meeting early, and were dejected. “[They] were talking with each other about all these things … [and] Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Luke 24:15-16)
I believe we all have those times when we are so shocked, so hurt, so distraught and puzzled, frozen with disbelief at the turn of events, that we cannot for the moment get ourselves to think straight. In this kind of moment, Jesus showed up … unexpectedly. Most of you know the remainder of this story, so instead of repeating it here, I will place it at the bottom of this page. In short, the two men were telling this stranger that they had hoped Jesus was the “One,” so Jesus told them the prophecies and teachings they needed as reminders.
It is so, so, so important for us to know the story, the truth, the Word, as thoroughly as possible. And if we do, just as Jesus came to those two men, the Holy Spirit will come to us to remind us. Let us not be one of those who survives on a-sermon-a-week … or a-class-a-week at church. We must “study” the Word, know the story, the ways of God. Then, the Holy Spirit can use the storehouse in us to lift us up.
When you are struggling, as the two men going to Emmaus were, it is easy to miss what is there or fail to perceive what is real. If something puzzles you or creates doubt in you, it might just be a matter of perception. Someone else might see things differently. Don’t be afraid to ask. And don’t be afraid to believe something spiritual or miraculous in nature (like a resurrection!) when your earthly perception thinks it can’t be true.
And finally, I remind you that this blog has two goals … for God to bless you through me and for God to bless others through you. This is the principle of “blessed to be a blessing!” As well as being blessed today, how can we bless someone else?
What do you do if one of your coworkers, friends, family, or others are distracted by a personal issue, such as despondence or frustration? They might not see the obvious and need you to come alongside them and remind them of God’s story in their lives. Jesus didn’t criticize the disciples for their failed perception. He just spoke truth for a while as they were walking, and finally their eyes were opened.
By the way … I love that moment when the two disciples recognized Jesus at their home while he was “breaking the bread” at their table. I wonder if they immediately thought back to walking with Jesus, and wondered, “How did I not know it was him?” (I’ve said things like that … you have too.) And then the clue they missed came into their minds … but of course … “Our hearts burned within us!” Jesus’ presence was setting us on fire inside … I need to remember that … He was with me and I didn’t perceive it!
May you perceive with clarity!
Chaplain Mark
The Gospel of Mark Mentions the Walk to Emmaus (Just after Jesus sees Mary)
Mark 16:12 After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. 13 And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
The Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.