“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 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. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 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 got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:28-36
The last time I wrote you we read about the events that took place on Easter morning as a few women and disciples had discovered that the tomb was empty and that small group shared the news with the Eleven. The above verses in Luke begins after the two disciples had walked with the ‘stranger’ on the road to Emmaus. Imagine that they must have had that ‘have I seen him before’ moment that we too have sometimes when we see a familiar smile, or gesture or nod. And then they heard Him say “Peace be with you.” Oh what a moment that must have been. Have you had a moment like that recently? Every once in a while I meet a child in Haiti who I remember from a previous visit and they are happy that I remember them and there is a huge smile on their face. There are going to be a boat load of smiles in Heaven when faces, voices and smiles will reappear once again and we will have another reunion; oh what a moment that will be. I am closing today with a song that I listened to recently on a CD this weekend called ‘Oh, what a moment’ that was written and performed by Squire Parsons.
“Oh, what a time it will be when we see loved ones there; those who have gone before, eternal joys to share. And, oh, what a song when the blood washed throng starts singing a song the angels cannot sing. Oh, what a moment, when we see Jesus; when we stand face to face in His embrace; and thank Him for amazing grace; Oh! what a moment, when we see Him. Harvest will be past. We will no longer gather; only what's done for Christ is all that will matter. The seeds we have sown will then be made known, what joy shall fill our raptured souls that day! Oh, what a moment, when we see Jesus; when we stand face to face in His embrace; and thank Him for amazing grace. Oh! what a moment, when we see Him. Oh! what a moment, when we see Him.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
In Him
Jay