The disciples in Luke 24 had left Jerusalem after celebrating the Passover and witnessing the death and burial of Jesus. As they began their seven-mile walk back to their hometown of Emmaus they were joined by him. They were kept from recognizing him while he explained to them everything that Moses and the Prophets said about the Messiah. Jesus was revealing to them the big picture of what God was doing through Christ to bring about the kingdom of God. Eventually the disciples stopped walking because they have arrived at their destination. Jesus acted as if he was going further and the disciples urged him to stay with them.

Of course Jesus was going further, because there is so much more that he is about than just these two followers. There were more people down the road that needed to hear his teachings. There was a whole world of sick and sinful people that needed to be restored and redeemed by him. The picture of Jesus’ purpose was so much greater than just spending time with Cleopas and his companion. Although Jesus is about bringing salvation to the entire world, he was and is available to everyone. The disciples invited him to stay with them, and he did.

Take courage fellow believers. The Lord has time for you. Why are we kept from recognizing his presence with us as we go about our daily lives? Whether we acknowledge him or not, he is still there. In John
1:12, John says, “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” We are kept from recognizing him because of a lack of living faith. Belief in God is nothing without action. It takes daily effort and decision to walk in the footsteps of faith walking hand-in-hand with the Lord. Let’s not take the Lord for granted. Let’s not keep ourselves blind from
seeing the Lord and inviting him into every part of our lives. Jesus will be with you through the simple scenes of everyday life bringing to view the big picture. Let us confess Jesus Christ is Lord!

Bryan Johnston