Luke 24

Attending my Dad’s church recently, the sermon was from Luke 24.  In reflection on those two walking with Jesus that Sunday afternoon, I found myself pondering the process of salvation: that process of someone coming out of the dark into the light and being adopted into God’s family.

In the Luke 24 story there were two returning home after likely spending most of the previous week in Jerusalem for Passover.  They were religious and followers of Jesus as they understood Him.  They hoped He was the One to bring their country back into glory days as was  experienced by their forefathers as when David reigned.

As they traveled the eight or so miles home, they conversed about their disappointment over the turn of events that sent Jesus to a Roman execution rather than leading to Rome’s overthrow and Jesus’ ascension to the throne.  God had failed to fulfill their hopes and plans.

Those two represent a host of people today who are religious in hopes of blessings from God for themselves, others, and country.  They want peace, prosperity, and joy from God based on their participation in religion and looking to God.

While traveling, Jesus drew alongside and set into traveling with them but their understanding was restricted so they did not recognize Him.  He recognized their angst and asked about the gloom.  He asked and let them tell their story (how important it is to listen well).  They were taken aback that He did not know what had happened to Jesus in the past days in Jerusalem.  Then they reported that some of His followers claimed His tomb was empty.  Jesus came directly into their world but they did not know it.  Rather than first reveal who He was, He drew them out – He let them talk.  How often might that happen today – not that He comes to us in a bodily form but that He draws near in a host of ways and draws out our disappointments, hurts, and angers.

Jesus rebuked them for their failure to grasp the truths of God’s Word – “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”  He then set about teaching them that the Old Testament, from beginning to end, declared that the Messiah would die and rise so they should not have been surprised by the events in Jerusalem.  It notes that as He taught their hearts burned.  They came under the clear teaching of the Word which started tugging on their hearts.

They invited Him to join them for a meal as the day was far spent and He accepted.  As they sat to eat, He blessed, broke, and served and their eyes were opened and then He vanished!  They immediately returned to bear witness that Jesus was indeed alive as they had experienced a personal encounter with Him.

So I thought about the salvation path as I pondered on Luke 24.  Here is the progression:

• They were religious – at Passover – so many people are.
• They were needy – they desired joy, hope, peace, freedom.
• They were introduced to Jesus as Someone who could fulfill their desires.
• Jesus did not prove to be what they anticipated – He was murdered and not a King.
• They shared their angst and loss with others – including God.
• They were taught of Jesus from Scripture – using the Old Testament!
• They invited Him to eat with them – they desired more time with Him – hungry for truth.
• Their eyes were opened – God touched them, He who died was alive!
• They raced to tell others.

So, who is Jesus to you?  One you look to for fulfillment of your dreams because you are  religious?  One Who has disappointed you – not been Who you thought?  One Who is found on every page of the Old Testament?  One Who has revealed Himself to you?  One you are excited to tell others about?  Are you His?  Truly saved?