Thursday, April 11, 2013

How does Jesus Deal with these Doubting Disciples of Doom and Despair? Part III


"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27  

This week we have been learning about the two disciples who witnessed the crucifixion and were on their way home to Emmaus.  Jesus joined them, although they did not recognize him, and helped them with the doubt and hopelessness they were experiencing after seeing Jesus crucified.  Now Jesus is in their home and they have finally recognized Him. 

·      He Inspires Confession - They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"  And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them,  saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon."  Luke 24:32-35  They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. As quickly as they knew Him, He was gone from their midst. They began to speak to one another, but it was not about the week's events. It was about seeing the Risen Lord Jesus! "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures?"

They didn't waste any time after they realized the stranger was Jesus. With renewed hope they ran back to Jerusalem.  The long discouraged walk to Emmaus now became a joyous run to Jerusalem with renewed strength.  Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31 

When arriving back in Jerusalem they found the eleven together and with great zeal in their renewed hope they said this … "THE LORD IS RISEN!"

This is story about the meaning of Easter for us. Just when we think all is lost, for the Follower of Christ, we find that another has joined on our journey.

If you are walking the Emmaus road right now or when you will walk it in the future with those sad “Ds” - Disappointment, Doubt, Disillusionment, Defeat, Discouragement, Despondency, Depression, and Despair - let's remember we are not walking alone.  Just like the weary travelers on the road to Emmaus, Jesus is walking us home.

Tomorrow’s devotional will be about your own personal doubts and how to turn them into faith.  There will always be a place for faith.

Scripture to Claim:
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He will reward those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
  

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