By Peter Biggs

This is the third part of a series looking at Jesus - his interactions and priorities. Both are strikingly revealed in how he spends his first day after his resurrection. Jesus is found outside on town on a dusty road, connecting with two disillusioned followers.

READ - LUKE 24

[PART 1, PART II]

Notice how He comes alongside them... listens to them, hides himself, asked them questions - drawing them to express their hearts.

17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast."

He could have just revealed himself plain and simple, however he didn't. We can ask, "where is God when I need Him?!" Jesus was there but directed them to the Scriptures. Perhaps we seek answers in the wrong places, never thinking that opening the Bible could touch our hearts. It was not an intellectual exercise... the Spirit (unseen) can open the Scriptures today, and touch the heart.

32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

They were deeply affected... but checked this subjective sense with each other... 'was it just me?'

Christian community & 'koinonia'
'Koinonia' is a greek word used in the New Testament and describes a qualitative depth of connection and interaction Christians enjoy with each other. It includes unity of the Spirit, and a synergy and empathy that should set apart Christian relationships. Our modern day individualism expressed by SO many as Christian community-less - 'God and me' is unknown in the Bible.

Encountering Jesus changes our life direction.
One of the goals (results) of this remarkable interaction with Jesus was to take these followers back into Christian community.

The activity of God in our lives always deepens relationships with each other.

Continue article >>

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem.
They did not just carry on with life. Faith produces action always.

There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, "It is true!

Hearing others declare their faith in Jesus resurrection must have been SO confirming and encouraging.

The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Jesus appeared first to Simon (notice he is not called Peter - 'the rock') Mark recounts the angel at the empty tomb telling the women to tell Peter and the others.

Peter - another disciple in jeopardy
No one had fallen further than Peter. He had denied the Lord, even though he was one of the three closest disciples. (Jesus did not deal with that issue for some time though.)

There are teachable moments in all our lives, for these two wayward sheep it was today...

(For Peter is was much later - John 21:15-25)

35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

Perhaps the Lord is walking alongside you now. Hidden from view. Asking you to tell him of your lost hope.
Have you let "resignation" come in? Lost hope that your marriage will ever change? That you kids will ever come to the Lord? That you will ever find a true friend? Resignation is the opposite of faith. It is giving up, a walking away. Are you so discouraged you have thought "God knows anyway, why should I pray?" That is a 'dry dusty road'... but Jesus is with you. Perhaps this is a teachable moment in your life.

Many have walked away from Christian community (church). Through the Scriptures and the Spirit (not through some religious guilt) your path might take to back - perhaps a new church? What awaits you there - Jesus' appearance?

If those 2 disciples had just stayed at Emmaus, content with a wonderful bible study and a glimpse of the Lord, they would have forfeited the fuller revelation he was about to give them... back with the other disciples.

September 3/2009