Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

I can see clearly now -

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

From Luke 24
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them."

They walked and walked, and talked and talked. So much to say on this short trip home. Cleopas and his companion were downcast, but Jesus was not. Recent events were rooted in history, and his positive take on those events sang in their minds, challenging the dissonance of what they knew about Jesus' death and the strange, irreverent stories they had heard of his resurrection.

Somehow though, they still could not see Jesus. Caught by time, tired after this long day, they did not make that jump. Jesus "gave the impression he was going on farther," but they were home, they were tired, they were done. Stop. No more. And because Jesus loved them, he stopped too.

What happens next? Jesus broke bread at their table, blessed it, gave it to them. "With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him."

In this case the teaching was not enough, although it set a stage for this moment of service and love. In our unique createdness Jesus comes to us in all kinds of ways.

Jesus shows himself. I recognize him. We both have work to do. Our theologies seek to ration out the responsibility for this work. Some keep it simple: all or nothing, one way or another. Others are more nuanced. Here's one I like the sound of: God is 99% responsible for my salvation. I am 1% responsible, and that 1% takes 100% of my effort.

Through centuries of biblical analysis and thoughtful reason, our pile of theologies grows higher and deeper every year. Surely God doesn't mind. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We might be right, we might be wrong, but we can relax about God. He loves us.

And because he loves us, he stops when we stop, walks when we walk, and waits for us to recognize him. What then? After the walk to Emmaus, after they recognize him, what happens next?

"Jesus vanished from their sight. And they said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us?'" In that instant of recognition they saw themselves more clearly. Energy poured into their bodies. Tired no longer, Cleopas and his companion stood up at once from their table and retraced their seven miles of steps back toward Jerusalem. They had a story to tell that couldn't wait until tomorrow.

Can I get a witness?

Lord, you made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in you. We are created to praise, reverence, and serve you, and by this means to save our souls. Let these well worn words take root in me, Lord, become ground of my being, rescue me from shipwreck, fill my sails and send me home.

Devotions Archive

I can see clearly now -

Wednesday, April 19, 2017