The Day 5 Bible study for this summer’s In The Wild VBS highlighted the account of two disciples who encountered the living, breathing, resurrected Jesus as they walked along the road on their way to Emmaus. The two disciples had expected that He was the Redeemer, but they had not expected that He would die and be buried. In the midst of their grief and confusion, there came the news that the tomb had been found empty. They didn’t know what to do with all of this. So, as they went along their way, they tried to make sense of it all. That’s when Jesus quietly walked up and discreetly entered into their conversation, but they didn’t recognize Him. He listened to their foolishness, and then He spoke God’s wisdom.
“He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:25-27
It strikes me that all too often we as followers of Jesus and leaders in ministry spend a lot of time talking about Jesus as we go along our way—sometimes even arguing and debating about the things of God and of the faith—but if we are honest, we really don’t expect Him to show up where we are and speak to us. I’m afraid that even if He did, we might be so wrapped up in our own thoughts and opinions and fears and worries and aspirations and hurts and hopes and disappointments that we might not recognize Him when He stood right next to us at the grocery store, or at the ball field, or at the coffee shop.
Here are a few takeaways for today:
1) You are not who you are by accident and you are not where you are by accident. The Almighty God of heaven has a purpose and a plan for your path. He is with you on whatever road you are walking down today. Whether you are driving across town, or flying across the country, He put you on the roads you are on, He directs your steps and He is present even in the mundane.
2) We need to open our eyes and ears to see and hear Jesus, not merely in the dramatic mountain-top moments, but in the everyday.
3) Guys, it’s all about Jesus. All of it points to Him. Let’s not miss this! Our hope for life, both now and for eternity is only in Jesus and through His work to defeat sin and death so that we might have salvation in Him. He is our GPS as we navigate the road of life. We need to be faithful to listen to what He says, to follow where He leads and to remind everyone we influence that it’s all about Him.
Chuck Peters is Director of Operations for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Columbia Bible College, Chuck has served vocationally & voluntarily in Student and Children’s Ministry for many years
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