Walking With Jesus
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Walking the Emmaus Road
by Royston
Their eyes were downcast and the pace was slow.
Why these things had happened they did not know.
On their shoulders they bore grief’s heavy load
as they walked that long Emmaus Road.
A stranger joined them as they walked that way.
Slowed His pace to hear what they had to say.
Step by step He walked along with them there
and from the scripture He began to share
Grief stricken and saddened they did not know
who it was that joined them walking so slow.
In fellowship sweet He expounded God’s word
and their hearts glowed at everything they heard.
From Moses through the Prophets He made known
of an open tomb and a heavenly throne.
They listened carefully while this Man talked
as together the Emmaus Road they walked.
“Did not the Christ have to suffer,” He said
“And after to be raised up from the dead?”
As they approached the place they were staying.
He acted as though He would to go in.
“The day is far spent, stay with us,” they said
and He entered their house and broke sone bread.
At once their eyes we’re opened and they knew
It was Jesus, but He vanished from their view.
“Did not our heart burn within us,” they said
and up they got and off to Jerusalem sped.
Found the disciples and said “It is true.”
“The Lord has risen and we’ve seen Him.”
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The Road Home by Garth Hewitt
There Was Jesus by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
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Spiritual Discipline Companion, "entering a Gospel Scene, Jan Johnson
Shaped By the Word - The power of Scripture in Spiritual Formation, M. Robert Mulholland Jr.
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"A text may have a different significance or import for me each time I turn to it....for the Lord will speak to me when I am." -Thelma Hall
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Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
The Unfolding Word
by Wendy Gerdes
Psalm 119:129-135 (NIV)
Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
The unfolding of your words. What a beautiful picture of what God longs to do for us when we read his Word!
When my brother was young, he loved animals. Before you think of a sweet picture of a small boy with a puppy, I must simply tell you my Mom had to watch her kitchen tools.
One warm, March day after a recent snowstorm, my brother came barging inside asking for scissors. As my mom was about to hand them off, she suddenly had a question. “Why do you want scissors?” He informed her he had found a deflated, dead mouse and was curious about what was inside.
She carefully put the scissors high up in the cabinet and instructed him to use only his eyes to satisfy his curiosity. My brother was hopelessly interested in the scientific side of animals; not the more cuddly side.
Studying animals scientifically is important.. The people who do this have given us a wealth of information about our world and have helped us to understand in a beautiful way the created world that God has made. Scientific study helps us understand aspects of God more.
However, this is completely different than loving and caring for a beloved pet of some sort. Through the relational caring for pets we can see the joy and playfulness of God.
When we bought our Sheepadoodle, while waiting to receive her, I learned everything there was to know about her breed. I found out a lot about her expected temperament and qualities specific to her breed, but that was altogether different than knowing the specific dog as I have come to know her.
Reading the Bible intellectually and academically is important for us to understand what the Bible is saying. We can understand God better through this type of reading. However, as important as studying is, the Bible is not only an intellectual book meant to be dissected and understood with our minds.
God longs for us to also read the Bible relationally, interacting with him to see what it is he may be wanting to speak to our hearts. Lectio Divina is a way of opening ourselves up to God while reading the Scriptures and allowing him, through the Holy Spirit, to interact with us. It is slowing our reading and giving space for us to hear what is on his heart for us. It is a way to allow him to ‘unfold his words’ and give us the insight he longs for us to have.
Psalm 119:129-135 reveals the relational nature of God’s Word and the interplay of the Word of God with the Spirit of God. His Word is not an abstract rule book to follow on our own, but one of intimate fellowship with him meant to bring life to us through his Spirit. We can engage with his Word both intellectually and experientially. Through that, our relationship with him and his Word will deepen.
To read more by Wendy visit www.wendygerdes.com
