And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:25-27
Gracious Lord Jesus, of all your post-resurrection appearances (1 Cor. 15:3-8), my favorite is the visit you paid disheartened friends on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). Your appearance to a shattered and shamed Peter was incredibly restorative. Meeting with James, your half-brother, must have been quite special and healing (Mark 3:20-21; John 7:5). Your appearance to the apostle Paul, who, in his own words, was unworthy of even being called an apostle, marked him forever. And all of us have enjoyed the fruit of that visit through Paul’s life and writings.
But I love how you came alongside of the beleaguered Emmaus men, for I am so much like them. I’m a foolish, slow-of-heart-man. Every day I need you to preach the gospel to my heart by the Holy Spirit. I need the fresh manna of grace every single day. How I praise you for your tender forbearance, unlimited patience, and grace-full persistence.
O, how I wish the Bible study you gave those men could have been tape recorded! Jesus, continue to reveal yourself as the main character and hero in all the Scriptures. Let me see how “every story whispers your name.” Don’t let me read the writings of Moses without thinking about you, especially the law. May Moses’ words always drive me to you, for you have fulfilled the demands of the law for us, and you are now fulfilling the beauty of the law in us. Don’t let me forget that, even for a nanosecond, lest I lapse into graceless guilt or performance-based pride.
And continue to show me how you are fulfilling everything the prophets have spoken—not just the things concerning your sufferings on the cross and your resurrection from the dead, but also all the promises of your present work in the world as a redeemer and restorer. All of history is bound up with your commitment to gather your pan-national bride and make all things new. Every promise God has made finds its “Yes!” in you (2 Cor. 1:20).
May a vision of your finished work, present reign and coming kingdom give me “redemptive heartburn,” like that which you ignited in the hearts of our Emmaus brothers (Luke 24:32). Show me my place in your story, Jesus, and let me live and love there, until the blessed Day of your next, and final, post-resurrection visit! So very Amen I pray, in your holy and transforming name.
