MAYBE YOU NEED TO SEE IT DIFFERENTLY
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
MAYBE YOU NEED TO SEE IT DIFFERENTLY
Jesus can transform our perspective even before He transforms our circumstances.
Scripture: Luke 24:13–35
The Walk to Emmaus
13 That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them.
16 But God kept them from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
18 Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
19 “What things?” Jesus asked.
“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people.
20 But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him.
21 We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.
22 “Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report.
23 They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive!
24 Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”
25 Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.
26 Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”
27 Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on,
29 but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them.
30 As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them.
31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!
32 They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
33 And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them,
34 who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
35 Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
Two disciples walked toward Emmaus believing everything had gone wrong.
Jesus was dead.
Their expectations were shattered.
Their future looked different.
Then Jesus started walking beside them.
Here's what's remarkable:
Jesus was present before they recognized Him.
They were explaining their hopelessness to Hope Himself.
Jesus didn't immediately change their circumstances.
He changed their understanding.
He opened Scripture.
Then their eyes opened.
Maybe your first prayer shouldn't always be:
“Lord, change this.”
Sometimes it should be:
“Jesus, show me how to see this.”
Take one disappointment you've been carrying and intentionally place it before Christ.
Ask Him to give you biblical perspective.
“Don't let disappointment write the conclusion to a story Jesus is still walking through.”
LET'S PRAY...
Jesus, enter the places where disappointment has distorted my perspective. Open Your Word to me and open my eyes. Help me recognize Your presence even when circumstances don't make sense. Amen.
Have you interpreted an unfinished chapter as the end of your story? The Emmaus road reminds us: Jesus may already be present before we recognize Him. Ask Him today, “Lord, show me what I'm not seeing.” Meet Jesus
LoveUMoreThanUKnow,
Pastor Stephän Kirby
Ekklesia Christian Life Ministries
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